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\hypersetup{pdftitle={Tillage and Mulch Effects on Maize Based Farming System in the Central Highlands of Kenya},pdfauthor={Evelyn Wambui Njogu, Monicah Mucheru-Muna, Daniel Mugendi, Felix Kipchirchir Ngetich, Jayne Mugwe},pdfsubject={Tropentag 2016: Abstract},pdfkeywords={Carbon sequestration , Conservation agriculture, residue management},pdfpagemode=None,colorlinks=true}
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\parbox[b]{13.4cm}{\centering \large{\textbf{Tropentag, September 18-21, 2016, Vienna, Austria}}\\[1ex] \Large{``Solidarity in a competing world ---\\fair use of resources''\\[2ex]}}
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\Large{\textbf{Tillage and Mulch Effects on Maize Based Farming System in the Central Highlands of Kenya\footnote{\textbf{Contact Address:} Felix Kipchirchir Ngetich, Embu University College, Land and Water Management, 6, +254~Embu, Kenya, \mbox{e-mail}: \email{felixngetich@gmail.com}}\\[0.8ex]}}
\normalsize{\textsc{Evelyn Wambui Njogu$^{1}$, Monicah Mucheru-Muna$^{2}$, Daniel Mugendi$^{3}$, Felix Kipchirchir Ngetich$^{4}$, Jayne Mugwe$^{5}$}}
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\begin{itemize*}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{1}$Embu University College, Agricultural Resource Management, Kenya}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{2}$Kenyatta University, Environmental Sciences, Kenya}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{3}$Embu University College, Agricultural Sciences, Kenya}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{4}$Embu University College, Land and Water Management, Kenya}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{5}$Kenyatta University, Agricultural Resource Management, Kenya}}}
\end{itemize*}
\index[author]{Njogu, Evelyn Wambui}
\index[author]{Mucheru-Muna, Monicah}
\index[author]{Mugendi, Daniel}
\index[author]{Ngetich, Felix Kipchirchir}
\index[author]{Mugwe, Jayne}
\begin{center}
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\textbf{Abstract}
\begin{abstract}
\normalsize{
To achieve sustainable agricultural production in Kenya, there is need to enhance the yields per unit of land while still conserving the soil resources. In most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is rain fed and besides poor soil nutrient status, water is also a limiting factor to food production. There is therefore a need to address the poor soil nutrient status alongside soil water stresses, through appropriate tillage and crop residue management practices to increase crop productivity. As such, this study focused on addressing the knowledge gap by assessing the effects of tillage and mulching on maize (\textit{Zea Mays}. L) yield, soil water content and organic carbon of Humic Nitisols in the central highlands of Kenya. The study was conducted in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The experimental design was randomised complete block design with mulch and tillage methods combination treatments replicated thrice. Key variables measured were maize biomass and grain yield, soil moisture content, soil organic carbon and rainfall amount. All the collected data were subjected to analysis of variance. Student t"=test was applied for pairwise comparisons to test the change difference of organic carbon at the end of the experiment. Difference between treatments means were examined using least significant difference at the \mbox{5\,\%} level of significance. Results showed \mbox{72\,\%}, \mbox{57\,\%} and \mbox{48\,\%}, significant ($p = 0.0031$) increase in stover yields of long rains 2014 season under conventional tillage with residues (CTR), conventional tillage without residue (CTW) and minimum tillage without residue (MTW), respectively, compared to control. MTW led to significant ($p = 0.0029$) increase in grain yield by \mbox{62\,\%}, minimum tillage with residue by \mbox{56\,\%} and CTW by \mbox{32\,\%}. Significant ($p = 0.05$) treatment effect on soil moisture was  observed within the top \mbox{10\,cm} depth whereby, the total amount of soil moisture stored, within the \mbox{10\,cm} depth of the soil profile, was highest for MTR and MTW treatments. Therefore, short"=term implementation of minimum tillage and mulching under the soil and climate conditions prevailing in Central Highlands of Kenya, can enhance production in the good season (well distributed rainfall) while maintaining a long"=term perspective of stabilising yields and overcoming crop failure during poor rainfall seasons.}

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\noindent \textbf{Keywords:} Carbon sequestration , Conservation agriculture, residue management
\index[key]{Carbon sequestration }
\index[key]{Conservation!agriculture}
\index[key]{Residue management}
\end{document}
