Improving multipurpose tree and shrub species for agroforestry systems

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Owino
Keyword(s):  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Multipurpose Tree

scholarly journals Asset-Based Adaptation Project Promotes Tree and Shrub Diversity and Above-Ground Carbon Stocks in Smallholder Agroforestry Systems in Western Kenya

2022 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Elena Fuchs ◽  
Levi Orero ◽  
Stephen Ngoima ◽  
Shem Kuyah ◽  
Henry Neufeldt
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

Agroforestry has potential to address the adverse effects of climate change through carbon sequestration, increasing biodiversity and improving adaptive capacity and resilience among smallholder farmers. However, this potential is context specific and insufficiently quantified in smallholder faming systems, partly because of inherent variability of smallholder farms. Our study aimed to determine the tree/shrub diversity and carbon stocks in different agroforestry systems within smallholder farms in two 100 km2 sites, the so-called lower and middle Nyando sites, in western Kenya. In both, context-specific agroforestry adoption had been promoted among households of four community associations through an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach. Their farms were assessed and compared with those of relevant comparison samples. Trees and shrubs were inventoried on a total of 106 farms, and their formations classified in five major agroforestry practices: hedgerows, multipurpose trees on farm (MPT), riparian buffers, woodlots, and boundary planting. To assess above-ground biomass (AGB) of individual trees/shrubs, diameter at breast height measurements were taken. Strong regional differences were considered in data analysis and presentation. Altogether, 3,353 and 6,346 trees/shrubs were inventoried in the lower and middle Nyando sites, respectively. AGB was significantly higher in middle than in lower Nyando. Woodlots had the highest amount of AGB carbon stock, while MPT had the highest diversity of tree/shrub species in all the groups. Conversely, boundary planting had the highest number of trees/shrubs inventoried and hence was the most common agroforestry practice across all the samples in both regions. Dominant AGB contributor species were Grevillea robusta (37.8%) in middle, and Eurphobia tirucalli (16.5%) in lower Nyando. This study provides empirical evidence that asset-based and community-driven selection and implementation of both tree/shrub species and agroforestry practices can contribute positively to species and practice diversity, which are associated with AGB carbon stock levels and wider agro-ecosystem diversity. This study hence provides benchmark information that is relevant for SDG goal 15 on “life on land,” and various specific targets, and can inform sustainable establishment of carbon sink facilities by supporting smallholders to uptake contextually suitable and economically sensible agroforestry practices in an overall effort to foster and support sustainable development.

scholarly journals Characterising the Coffee-Banana Agroforestry Systems: an Entry Point for Promoting Coffee and Banana Growing in mid-Northern Uganda

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
Godfrey H. Kagezi ◽  
P. Kucel ◽  
J. Kobusinge ◽  
L. L. Nakibuule ◽  
F. Akwatulira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Black Sigatoka ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Pest Damage ◽  
Robusta Coffee ◽  
Coffee Leaf Rust ◽  
The Right

This study was conducted in the mid-Northern Ugandan districts of Nwoya, Gulu, Lira, Apach and Oyam to characterise the coffee-banana agroforestry systems. Thirty fields with coffee-banana agroforestry systems were selected and the level of field and crop management determined. Additionally, five coffee and banana plants were randomly selected and assessed for pests and diseases. All fields had Robusta coffee type whereas cooking bananas were the dominant clone (45%). Field management was limited. More than 80% of the fields had no bands, trenches or cover-crops. Most of the fields were lowly weeded (46.7%) and mulched (60%). Intercropping was low with 20% having maize or cassava. Similarly, most fields were lowly inter-planted with trees (40%) with only 28 tree/shrub species and dominated by fruit trees; namely oranges (70%), mangoes (63.3%) and pawpaw (56.7%) of the total number of tree species observed in the systems. Generally, 40% of coffee fields had not been de-suckered, pruned or changed cycle. However, at least 35% of the coffee fields were highly pruned and their cycle changed. For bananas, more than 70% of the fields were not de-suckered, propped or their corms removed, but 63% of them had been de-leafed and de-budded at a low to moderate level. Leaf skeletonisers and coffee leaf rust were the most observed pest (77.3%) and disease (15.3%) respectively. Pest damage was limited in bananas, though black Sigatoka was the commonest disease observed (56%). It is concluded that the region has embraced the systems but there is need for farmers to be provided with the right species of coffee, banana and trees.Keywords: Agroforestry-systems, cooking-bananas, Robusta-coffee.

scholarly journals On-Farm Evaluation of Multipurpose Tree/Shrub Species for Sustaining Productivity in Alley Cropping

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Abrham Tezera Gessesse ◽  
Hailie Shiferaw Wollea
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Leaf Biomass ◽  
Sesbania Sesban ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Multipurpose Tree ◽  
On Farm

Alley cropping is a system in which strips (alleys) of annual crops are grown between rows of trees or shrubs, resembling hedges. Alley cropping is one of promising agro forestry practice to sustain productivity in highly populated areas where landholding sizes are very small and inorganic fertilizer use is very low. This study has been carried out with the aim of evaluating the effect of selected multipurpose tree/shrub species on yield performance of Teff (EragrostisTeff) through green manure application of hedgerow planting. Four different multipurpose tree/shrub species (Sesbania sesban, Croton macrostaychus, Cacia species and Cajuns cajun) seedlings were used and planted in two rows within the space of 8m between avenue and 0.25m within avenue and the trial was designed as Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Leaf biomass was incorporated to the soil in early July (1-2 weeks before sowing) as green manure. At each plot 15m2 (3m x 5m) areas were laid for Teff (EragrostisTeff) grain and straw yield parameter measurements. The result shows that significantly higher grain and straw biomass yield of Teff (EragrostisTeff) were obtained through application of Sesbania sesban and Croton macrostaychus green manure as compare to Cajuns cajun and Cassia species. Leaf nutrient concentrations of N and P were found higher in Sesbania sesban than the rest of tree/shrub species. For this reason, farmers are advised to use Sesbania sesban and Croton macrostaychus species for Teff production in alley cropping agroforestry system.  

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