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Effects of selected soil and water conservation techniques on runoff, sediment yield and maize productivity under sub-humid and semi-arid conditions in Kenya

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dc.contributor.author Ngetich, F.K.
dc.contributor.author Diels, J.
dc.contributor.author Shisanya, C.A.
dc.contributor.author Mugwe, Jayne
dc.contributor.author Mucheru-muna, M.
dc.contributor.author Mugendi, Daniel N.
dc.date.accessioned 2015-11-23T11:30:09Z
dc.date.available 2015-11-23T11:30:09Z
dc.date.issued 2014-05
dc.identifier.citation Catena 121 (2014) 288–296 en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2014.05.026
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/551
dc.description.abstract tillage practices on runoff amounts, sediment yield and maize yields under semi-arid and sub-humid environments. Field trials were set in Kigogo primary school in Meru South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, representing the sub-humid conditions, and Machang'a secondary in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County (semi-arid) in the central highlands of Kenya. The experiment layout was a randomized complete block design and the treatments were implemented in runoff plots. Tied ridging (TR) was the most efficient technique in reducing runoff and sediment yield and at the same time boosting crop yields in the semi-arid region. It significantly (p b 0.05) reduced sediment yields by 94% compared to the conventional tillage (CT) during the study period. The effects were particularly strong in periods of belowaverage rainfall (dry seasons). During the drier season of short rains 2010 (SR10), grain yield under TR was 7 times higher compared to CT (p b 0.01). In the sub-humid region, minimum tillage (MT) generated high runoff but relatively low sediment yield compared to CT. During periods of enough rainfall (over 450mmper season) in the drier site, intercropping suppressed maize yields significantly (p b 0.01) by 42% compared to conventional tillage in the drier site. The results on the magnitude of runoff and sediment under the different soil and farm management practices are crucial in selection and promotion of valid farm management practices and tillage alternatives that not only abate soil erosion but also boost agricultural productivity in both sub-humid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Elsevier en_US
dc.subject Tillage en_US
dc.subject Mbili intercropping en_US
dc.subject Mulching Erosion en_US
dc.title Effects of selected soil and water conservation techniques on runoff, sediment yield and maize productivity under sub-humid and semi-arid conditions in Kenya en_US
dc.type Article en_US


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