Tillage and farmyard manure efects on crusting and compacting soils at Katumani, Semi-arid Kenya

In semi-arid Kenya, the most dominatn soil types are of limited agricultural productivity due to crusting and compaction. The occurence of soil crusting and compaction is attributed to seasonal rainfall characteristics, physical soil properties and bad tillage practices. Soil crusting and compaction decrease rain water infiltration and increase surface runoff. Seasonal rainwater losses through increased runoff volumes reduce soil moistrue and hance result in agricultural drought. The objective of this sturdy was to examine the hydrological effects of two tillage practices with and without framyard manure on surface runoff and soil loss of crusting and compacting soils under field conditions at Katumani in semi-arid Kenya. Field investigtions on rainfall characteristics, surface runoff, soil loss, soil bulk density and soil sherar strengh covered two rainy seasons (short and long ranis) and were done on a Chromic Luvisol. etc. Key words: zero tillage, conventional tillage, farmyard manure, crusting and compacting soils, semi arid Kenya