Impact of Radical Terracing on Chemical Properties of the Soil a Case of Nyabihu District, Rwanda

Cultivation on steep slopes without any kind of soil conservation methods causes’ major erosion phenomenon, in Nyabihu District of Rwanda radical terraces has been implemented in order to decrease soil erosion effect. This study aimed at assessing the impact of this radical terracing on the soil chemical properties. Soil samples was collected before and after terracing and analyzed for pH, organic matter, available phosphorous, exchangeable calcium, magnesium and potassium; cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen and total exchangeable acidity. The pH and organic matter was analyzed respectively using a pH-meter and calcinations method, while the available phosphorous were obtained using the MEHLICH III method, exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ by titrimetric, potassium, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen and total exchangeable acidity were determined using the K-kit method, Nessler method, mineralization and titrimetric method respectively. The results from the soil samples analyzed showed that terracing have an impact on soil chemical properties of the soil. All the studied properties decreased except the total exchangeable acidity which increased, therefore, the soil after terracing needs improvement of its fertility and productivity; through sufficient agricultural inputs both mineral and organic