Farming practices and their effect on soil moisture and penetration resistance: Impact on maize yields in rainfed agriculture

This study assesses the impact of conservation agriculture practices on soil conditions and maize yields in a sub-humid region of western Kenya. Results from a long-term field experiment show that residue retention significantly increases soil moisture, while practices such as ripping reduce soil penetration resistance. Crop diversification, particularly maize–soybean rotation, further enhances soil moisture and substantially improves yields compared to continuous maize systems. Combined with appropriate fertilization, these practices lead to marked yield gains, highlighting the effectiveness of integrated soil and crop management strategies in improving productivity under rainfed conditions.