ISSN:
1572-9680
Keywords:
green manuring
;
mulching
;
crop response
;
blast
;
drought
;
terracing
;
hedgerow-alley interface
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract G. sepium and C. spectabilis hedgerows were established on slopes ranging from 18 to 31% in an effort to reduce soil erosion and improve upland rice and maize production. Upland rice and maize responded more to soil incorporated G. sepium biomass than to mulched, C. spectibilis. Incorporating hedgerow biomass equivalent to over 40 kg N per hectare, however, did not increase upland rice productivity. Maize, planted during the drought-prone second season, responded more than did rice to mulching. Crop performance improved along the slope gradient. Hedgerow-crop competition was observed at the upper and lower interfaces. Terracing intensified hedgerow-crop competition at the upper interface by reducing the crop's effective rooting depth. Under prevailing climatic and soil conditions, mixed hedgerows of C. spectabilis and G. sepium initially produced approximately 7 tons of fresh biomass per hectare every 3 months. Four years after hedgerow establihment, however C. spectabilis biomass was chlorotic and considerable mortality was observed, suggesting that C. spectabilis may be depleting soil N reserves.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00053140
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