In this paper, the effects of biological engineering measures such as straw mulching and vetiver hedge on runoff, soil erosion and crop yield were studied. The results showed that runoff in the years 2011–2012 were followed by order of control > straw mulching, vetiver hedge > straw mulching + vetiver hedge. Among all the treatments, as compared with the control treatment, vetiver hedge + straw mulching showed the highest capability in reducing runoff by 47.1%–79.8% (P＜0.05). The minimum amount of soil erosion was observed in the vetiver hedge + straw mulching, which reduced 79.2%–99.5% of erosion of the control (P＜0.05). The maximum crop (hypogaea) yield was from straw mulching and vetiver hedge + straw mulching in 2011 and 2012. Compared with the control, these two kinds of treatment could increase 26.6%–50.9%, 15.5%–37.7% (P＜0.05). We concluded that the straw mulching or combining with vetiver hedge are the optimal practices for promoting both soil and water conservation, and crop yield on the red soil sloping land.