Comparisons of soil health properties among three long‐term land‐use systems in Trans Nzoia, Kenya

Soil health underpins ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture. This study compared soil health properties among three long‐term land‐use systems in Trans Nzoia, western Kenya: biointensive agriculture (BIA), natural shrubland reserve, and conventional maize monocropping. Soil health was assessed primarily through chemical and biological indicators, with bulk density (BD) included as the measured physical property. Soil texture was also determined across sites, providing context as an inherent and potentially management‐influenced property. Soil samples (from 0‐ to 5‐cm, 5‐ to 15‐cm, 15‐ to 30‐cm, 30‐ to 60‐cm, and 60‐ to 100‐cm depths) were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen (MBC), dissolved organic C, total dissolved N (TDN), potential mineralizable C and N, total N (TN), total C (TC), TN stocks, TC stocks, bulk density, and soil texture. Several soil health indicators were higher in BIA and shrubland than in maize, especially at 0–5 cm. At this depth, MBC (BIA vs. maize: +117%) and TDN (nature reserve vs. maize: +141%) were greater. TC (BIA vs. maize: +69%) and TN (shrubland vs. maize: +58%) stocks were also higher. BIA had the lowest BD (1.07 g cm −3 at 0–5 cm) compared to maize (1.27 g cm −3 ), consistent with better aeration and root penetration. While recognizing that observed differences reflect the combined influence of management history and inherent site properties, these case comparisons suggest that BIA management is associated with higher C and N stocks, enhanced microbial biomass, and reduced compaction. Adopting BIA could help mitigate soil degradation and support agricultural sustainability in smallholder systems.