Yakubu, A.Sabi, E.B.Onwona-Agyeman, S.Takada, H.Watanabe, H.2021-10-292021-10-292021https//doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105575http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/36986Research ArticleSustainable crop production depends primarily on water and nutrients among other inputs. Mulching improves soil moisture and nutrient conservation as well as ameliorates soil erosion. We conducted two different experiments to examine the impact of mulch on soil erosion and the productivity of carrot (Daucus carota L.). Mulch used were sugarcane bagasse boards (SBB) and sugarcane bagasse chips (SBC). Each experiment consisted of three treatments in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first experiment under rainfall simulation consisted of 2 SBB and 4 SBB representing 25 and 50% soil surface coverage and no sugarcane bagasse (NSB) represented the control. Treatments in the second experiment were SBB, SBC, and NSB. The 4 SBB and 2 SBB significantly decreased (p < 0.05) erosion by 1.74 Mg ha 1 and 1.57 Mg ha 1. However, there was no significant difference in mitigating erosion between the 4 SBB and 2 SBB. Compared to NSB, 4 SBB and 2 SBB again decreased runoff rate by 223 and 23%. There was no significant improvement in soil moisture retention, temperature, carrot yield, and water productivity under either mulch. Weed growth was significantly reduced at 104 and 72% by SBB and SBC. The yield gap between SBB and SBC was only 18.75%. Unlike the particulate SBC which is susceptible to erosion during runoff, the bulky SBB cannot easily be eroded by runoff. Hence the SBB was recommended for farmers due to its significant impact on ameliorating runoff and erosion, as well as curtailing weed growth under carrot production.enSugarcane bagasse mulchRainfall simulationWeed growthErosionRunoffArticle