Soil cover for improved productivity: attractive water and soil conservation for the drylands in Kenya.

Abstract

The importance of soil cover and topsoil management for soil and water conservation was studied in catchment and test plot studies and infiltration trials in the west and north of Mount Kenya. The short-term improvement of productivity through specific biological and management measures is discussed along with aspects of long-term sustainable development for implementation programmes. Results show that permanent grass cover (50%) reduced catchment runoff rates to less than one third and erosion rates to less than one in thirty of that from an overgrazed area with a cover of less than 10%. Infiltration on different soil types increased 3-12 times under permanent cover compared to that under overgrazed land. Monitoring of cropland productivity under different conservation measures illustrated the potential of mulching/minimum tillage and agroforestry systems to double yields with no additional input, compared to local practices