scholarly journals Effect of Tree Presence and Soil Characteristics on Soybean Yield and Quality in an Innovative Alley-Cropping System

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Mantino ◽  
Iride Volpi ◽  
Martina Micci ◽  
Giovanni Pecchioni ◽  
Simona Bosco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Yield And Quality

Agroforestry is indicated as a farming practice suited to enhance ecosystem services generated by cropping systems. However, farmers are often reluctant to implement agroforestry systems due to the potential yield loss of crops. In a field trial, soybean was intercropped with poplar short-rotation-coppice rows in an alley-cropping system with 13.5 m wide alleys, in order to assess the effect of tree presence on soybean yield and quality. The light availability (LA) was significantly affected by the tree presence, with an increasing effect along the season due to tree growth, being at its lowest in the tree–crop interface positions (West and East). Significant effects of the tree-distance and LA were registered on soybean yield, with the highest reduction of soybean yield in the West (−78%) and East (−35%) positions. Crude fat content in soybean grain did not vary among positions in the alley, while crude protein content was the lowest in the most shaded position (West −8% than the highest value). The assessment of spatial variability among plots of measured soil characteristics highlighted no significant effect of pedological conditions upon soybean yield. Thus, in our study, the LA effect was more important than soil characteristics in determining a detrimental effect of competition for resources between soybean and poplar. Conversely, soybean quality was affected by soil characteristics, since crude fat significantly correlated with soil nutrients, pH, soil organic matter and soil texture.

scholarly journals Competition for Light Affects Alfalfa Biomass Production More Than Its Nutritive Value in an Olive-Based Alley-Cropping System

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Alberto Mantino ◽  
Cristiano Tozzini ◽  
Enrico Bonari ◽  
Marcello Mele ◽  
Giorgio Ragaglini
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Olive Orchard ◽  
Competition For Light ◽  
Perennial Legumes

Cropping among trees with perennial legumes is one option for increasing agro-ecosystem services, such as improving the nitrogen supply and increasing soil protection by herbaceous vegetation. Moreover, cropping under the canopy of olive trees should diversify the farm production, compared to the traditional fallow management. Among perennial legumes, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) produces abundant biomass under Mediterranean rainfed condition. Based on this, a two-year field experiment was implemented in southern Tuscany in a rainfed olive orchard to test the competition for light effects on alfalfa biomass production and nutritive value. Light availability under the tree canopy was measured by hemispherical photos. In both years, the alfalfa yield of under-canopy varied according to the tree presence. A significant relationship between biomass production and light availability was recorded. The nutritive value of under-canopy alfalfa was similar to that of the open-grown alfalfa. However, same significant differences did however occur, between shaded and sole crop. When differences were found, under-canopy herbage was characterised by a higher content of crude protein and a lower content of fibre with respect to open-grown. In a hilly silvoarable olive orchard, alfalfa biomass accumulation was reduced mainly due to scarce light availability, therefore tree management such as pruning and plantation layout can enhance the herbage productivity. Studying shade tolerant forage legumes in order to enhance the yield and nutritive value of herbage production in rainfed agroforestry systems is essential.

scholarly journals Carbon and nitrogen accumulation within four black walnut alley cropping sites across Missouri and Arkansas, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 1625-1638
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Thomas ◽  
Robert Kallenbach ◽  
Thomas J. Sauer ◽  
David K. Brauer ◽  
David M. Burner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Allometric Equations ◽  
Nitrogen Accumulation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Woody Tissues

Abstract Agroforestry systems that integrate useful long-lived trees have been recognized for their potential in mitigating the accumulation of atmospheric fossil fuel-derived carbon (C). Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is frequently planted and cultivated in North America for its valuable lumber and edible nuts, and is highly amenable to the integration of understory crops or livestock in agroforestry systems. However, little is known about C content in black walnut trees, including the amounts of C assimilated into lignocellulosic tissues within different tree compartments. Therefore, allometric equations for above- and below-ground compartments of 10-year-old black walnut trees across diverse locations were developed. Ten grafted black walnut trees from each of four sites across the midwestern USA were destructively harvested for above- and below-ground biomass, and dry biomass weight (DWw), C (Cw) and nitrogen (N; Nw) stocks were quantified. Soils surrounding the harvested trees were sampled and analyzed for soil organic C (SOC) and total N (TN). Total DWw ranged from 27 to 54 kg tree−1, with woody tissues containing an average of 467 g kg−1 C and 3.5 g kg−1 N. Woody tissues differed in Cw and Nw across location, and above-ground sections contained more C and less N compared with most root tissues. The slopes of the allometric equations did not differ significantly among locations, while intercepts did, indicating that trees only differed in initial size across locations. SOC and TN did not vary in distance from the trees, likely because the trees were not yet old enough to have impacted the surrounding soils. Our results establish a foundation for quantifying C and N stocks in newly established black walnut alley cropping systems across diverse environments.

Performance of black pepper in coconut based high density multi-species cropping system under different nutrient managements

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Subramanian, H.P. Maheswarappa, ◽  
T.J. Zachariah R. Surekha ◽  
V. Selvamani, Ravi Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
High Density ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Significant Difference

Coconut based high density multi-species cropping system (HDMSCS) is recommended to obtain maximum income and better utilization of resources. The crops grown under HDMSCS include fruits, vegetables, spices etc. Black pepper (<em>Piper nigrum</em> L.), an important spice crop, is generally a component  under coconut based cropping systems. In the present study, the performance of black pepper under coconut based HDMSCS involving banana, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other annuals <em>viz</em>., turmeric, ginger and elephant foot yam as intercrops, was evaluated, in terms of yield and quality of black pepper. The observations, recorded for four years (2009-10 to 2012-13) under three different nutrient management practices, indicated no significant difference in yield and quality parameters of black pepper. The pooled data of four years indicated a mean pepper yield of 2.4 kg vine<sup>-1</sup>, and quality parameters <em>viz</em>., per cent of oil, oleoresin, piperine and bulk density (g L<sup>-1</sup>) were 2.3, 9.8, 3.1 and 500.7, respectively. Under different nutrient management practices, the yield of both black pepper and coconut increased by 166 and 9 per cent, respectively, compared to the pre-treatment period (2005-07). The present study indicated that there was no reduction in yield of coconut when black pepper was grown in the basin and depending upon the availability of resources, farmers can follow the nutrient management practices.

scholarly journals Biomass Performance and Competition Effects in an Established Temperate Agroforestry System of Willow and Grassland—Results of the 2nd Rotation

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1819
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Graß ◽  
Sarah Malec ◽  
Michael Wachendorf
Keyword(s):  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Pure Stand ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Temperate Agroforestry ◽  
Competition Effects ◽  
Border Areas

Agroforestry systems (AFSs) are promoted as environmentally friendly and climate-change-resilient cultivation systems with the potential of increasing ecosystem services. Especially under temperate climatic conditions, the implementation in agricultural practice is low so far, inter alia due to the lack of knowledge regarding longer-term effects of such systems. This study investigated biomass yields and crop development during the second rotation of an alley cropping system with willows (clone “Tordis” ((Salix schwerinii x S. viminalis) x S. vim.)) and grassland that was established in March 2011, as reported in a former study of the authors. Two grassland swards (white clover grass (Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium repens L.) (CG) and a diversity mixture with 32 plant species (DIV)) were proven in an intensive (3/4 cuts per year) and extensive management system (two cuts per year). Total yield (sum of three years) of AFS increased substantially in the second rotation (year four to six after establishment of the AFS). This was particularly due to a fivefold increase in woody biomass. At the same time, yields of grassland biomass decreased slightly. Biomass of CG outperformed DIV, especially in the intensive managed systems with a dry matter (DM) yield of 18 t ha−1, compared to 12.6 t ha−1. However, AFS grassland yields were always lower than yields of reference areas with grassland in pure stand. Nevertheless, lower yields are probably caused by competition effects between woody crops and grassland. Grassland yields along transects across the grassland alleyways showed a strong decrease in the border areas in all treatments. Higher grassland yields in the alley center did not compensate yield reductions in border areas. Furthermore, the botanical composition of grassland was modified in border areas with reduced legume DM contribution and increases of both grasses and forbs. Thus, the width of grassland alleys with 9 m caused strong competition effects by the willows.

The effects of soil tillage techniques on weed flora in high input barley systems in northern Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-252
Author(s):  
M.I. Santín-Montanyá ◽  
A. Sombrero Sacristán
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Northern Spain ◽  
Bromus Diandrus ◽  
Weed Density

In barley cropping systems of northern Spain, agronomic practices and weather conditions are key components of weed control efficacy. We compared the short-term effects of conventional tillage with minimum tillage (MT) and zero tillage (ZT), in barley monoculture and barley rotation systems. Weed density and weed species number were measured at tillering and flowering barley stages. We found that tillage system can influence weed density and weed species establishment due to, in part, the available light for weed seeds. The results obtained indicate that the MT system facilitates the prevalence of the grass weed Bromus diandrus Roth (50.37%) and the annual dicots Galium aparine (L.) and Buglossoides arvensis (L.) I.M. Johnst. abundant were high in the MT system too, 43.71% and 43.97% respectively. The germination of these species showed a high dependence on light availability. We saw that barley-monoculture plots had a large infestation of Bromus (71.29%) and barley-rotated plots presented more infestation of Galium and Buglossoides (74.36% and 84.4%, respectively). After herbicide application, weed infestation in conservation systems was reduced in barley-rotated plots compared with barley-monoculture. If conservation systems avoided the presence of dominant weeds, the weight of each weed species was balanced within competitive relationships of the cropping systems. Our results confirmed that MT and ZT systems favour different weed species emergences in barley-rotated plots. The combination of MT and barley-rotated cropping system resulted in greater weed diversity and lower total weed density.

scholarly journals Farmers’ perceptions towards agroforestry systems in Babanosa Area, West Kordofan State

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamal Eldin Mohammed Fadl ◽  
Ali Elamin Abdallah Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Acacia Senegal ◽  
Farm Land ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Sclerocarya Birrea ◽  
Collection Data

This study was conducted in Eltemada, Boli and Umghoghai villages at Babanosa area in El-salam locality, South Kordofan State during 2012 and 2013. The objectives were to (1) identify and assess the most important agroforestry systems, (2) to investigate the main factors that affecting the sustainability of the systems, (3) to determine the important field crops that cultivated with trees and (4) to evaluate the effect of the agroforestry systems on the yield of the traditional field crops. For accomplishment of these study 80 questioners was designed and distributed in the selected villages. After the data collection data was analyzed by using descriptive statistic. The results showed that the most important agroforestry systems in the study area are parkland cropping system (58%), boundary planting (26%), wind-breaks (13%) and alley cropping (3%).The most important forest trees in the study area are Acacia senegal (32%), Ziziphus spina- christia (28%), Balanites aegeyptiaca (26%), Sclerocary birrea and Guera senegalensis (3%). The main field crops in the study area are groundnut (44%), sorghum (35%) and roselle (21%). The results showed that yield of groundnut and sorghum is higher under agroforestry systems compared with the mono-cropping system. The results showed that the majority of respondents (70%) prefer to cultivate field crops in agroforestry system, while (30%) prefer to cultivate the field crops in a mono-cropping system. The cultivation methods used in the study area include shifting cultivation (52%), mono-cropping (36%) and intercropping (12%).The majority of respondents (94%) showed that trees improve soil fertility in their farm land. The benefits from trees in farm land include improvement of soil properties (36%), protecting the farm land from wind erosion (28%), improvement of micro-climate (24%) and source of income which was indicated by (12%) of the respondents. The study recommended that modern agroforestry system such as improved fallow system and alley cropping should be introduced in the study area and multi-purpose trees such as Acacia senegal, Fedherbia albida and Sclerocarya birrea that improve soil fertility and diversify farmers income should be maintained. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12633 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 136-146

scholarly journals CORN-TREE PROXIMITY EFFECTS IN AGROFORESTRY EXPERIMENTS

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 648-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIANNEY REINALDO DE OLIVEIRA ◽  
PAULO SÉRGIO LIMA E SILVA ◽  
PATRÍCIA LIANY DE OLIVEIRA FERNANDES SIQUEIRA ◽  
IRON MACEDO DANTAS ◽  
MARIA ZULEIDE DE NEGREIROS
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Proximity Effects ◽  
Plant Age ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Crown Diameter ◽  
Agroforestry Experiments

ABSTRACT In agroforestry systems, annual plants closest to trees may behave differently from plants in rows that are more distant. This study evaluated the proximity effects of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (sabiá) and Gliricidia sepium (gliricidia) on corn yield under the taungya and alley cropping systems. The two species were evaluated, in randomised blocks with five replications, in 2010 and 2011, under taungya and alley cropping, respectively. Three rows of corn (left, middle, and right) were grown between two rows of trees. Sabiá trees grew higher than gliricidia trees. The difference in crown diameter between species depended on plant age. There was a linear relationship between plant age and plant height and between plant age and crown diameter for both sabiá and gliricidia trees. In the taungya system, left rows produced more green ears than middle and right rows, but grain yield was higher in middle rows. In the alley system, green ear yield was also higher in left rows than in middle and right rows, but grain yield was unaffected by row position. In both agroforestry systems, there were no differences in corn yield for corn grown between sabiá or gliricidia trees.

Influence of latitude on the light availability for intercrops in an agroforestry alley-cropping system

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 1019-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Dupraz ◽  
Céline Blitz-Frayret ◽  
Isabelle Lecomte ◽  
Quentin Molto ◽  
Francesco Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Cropping System

scholarly journals Perbedaan Tinggi, Jumlah Daun, dan Diameter Batang Tanaman Jagung (Zea mays L.) pada Sistem Agroforestri Penanaman Lorong (Alley Cropping) dan Tumpang Sari di DAS Mikro Desa Tukad Sumaga, Kecamatan Gerokgak, Kabupaten Buleleng

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
I WAYAN GEDE WIRYANATA ◽  
MADE MIKA MEGA ASTUTHI ◽  
KADEK AYU CHARISMA JULIA DEWI
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Degraded Land ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Corn Plants

Differences in Height, Number of Leaves, and Stem Diameter of Corn (Zea mays L.) in Alley Cropping and Intercropping of Agroforestry Systems at the Micro Watershed of Tukad Sumaga Village, Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency. Degraded land as a result of land conversion has a very bad impact on the agro-ecosystem. Land conversion caused by the increasing needs of the population. The majority of the livelihoods of the people in Tukad Sumaga village are farmers. The availability of forage is very important to be maintained. Corn plants, in addition to their production in the form of corn, forage fodder on corn plants are very important for the availability of cattle feed. This research was conducted on 28 DAP maize (Zea mays L.) in alley cropping system and intercropping in the micro watershed of Tukad Sumaga Village. The results showed that the highest average plant height, leaf number, and corn stalk diameter were found in the alley cropping system namely 1.03 m, 7.31, and 1.59 cm. There was no significant difference between the height of corn plants in alley cropping and intercropping systems. There is a significant difference between the number of leaves and the diameter of the stems of maize in alley cropping and intercropping systems.

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