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 combination of the two were used On an alfisol in central Kenya. Soil loss, biomass field, and profile survey of the runoff plots were measured during two 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. Topographic survey of the plots showed a near uniform terrace formation and decrease in slope of about 0.2 % for all hedges, but an increase in slope for the 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 conservation technology as a step towards sustainable farming practices.