Soil loss prediction using USLE and MUSLE under conservation tillage integrated with 'fanya juus' in Choke Mountain, Ethiopia

Conservation tillage is an important strategy for the adoption of soil and water conservation and to reduce runoff and soil loss by water erosion. This study was undertaken to validate USLE/MUSLE as affected by integration of conservation tillage with ‘fanya juus’ at Enerata kebele, East Gojjam of Amhara Region. Runoff and soil loss were collected from 38 storm events through isolated trenches for calibration and validation of the models. Input variables required by USLE and MUSLE models mainly rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topography of the land, land use and crop management factors were obtained from field measurements. The results showed that both models underestimated soil loss. On average, the efficiency of MUSLE model was 71.5% while that of USLE was 53.5%. This was due to the runoff which was considered as an input for MUSLE model. Runoff was found to be a better indicator than rainfall for soil loss prediction. Overall, the MUSLE model was good to estimate soil loss and to plan different soil conservation programs.