Effect of biological soil conservation practices on soil properties and farmers’ perception toward the practices: In case of Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract Land degradation is the critical ecological and agricultural challenges in Ethiopia. To combat this, the government and local farmers’ have undertaken soil and water conservation measures (physical, biological and integrated) across the country since 1970's. This study investigate effect of elephant grass ( P. purpureum ) and sesbania sesban ( S. sesban ) used as biological land rehabilitation practices on soil properties and farmers’ perception on the practices. Composite soil samples (0–30 cm) were randomly collected from lands treated with sesbania, elephant grass, and adjacent degraded grazing land, and a structured questionnaire was used to assess farmers’ perceptions. Statistical results showed that elephant grass and sesbania were significantly (P 2 = 0.84) between farmers’ perception on elephant grass and sesbanias' roles in soil conservation and groups of explanatory variables. Among the variables age, education and extension service significantly (P