Use of tree/grass hedges for soil erosion control in the Central Kenyan highlands

Three erosion control method of using a tree hedge, a grass hedge, and a co mbination of the two were used On an alfisol in central Kenya. Soil loss, b iomass field, and profile survey of the runoff plots were measured during t wo cropping seasons. Average Cumulative soil loss from plots with hedges of tree, combination, grass, and non hedged control were 5.6, 7.4, 11.2, and 10.9 Mg ha(-1), respectively. Dry matter yields were 2.98, 9.24, and 11.90 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) for tree, combination, and grass hedge respectively. Topog raphic survey of the plots showed a near uniform terrace formation and decr ease in slope of about 0.2 % for all hedges, but an increase in slope for t he control plots by the same magnitude. Small-scale farmers in the highland of Central Kenya who practice a mixed farming system could use this soil c onservation technology as a step towards sustainable farming practices.