Abstract
Maize growing next toErythrina hedgerows had 44% lower biomass (p<0.01) and 35% lower N content (p<0.1) than maize growing in the middle of the alleys. Maize growing next toGliricidia hedgerows had the same biomass but 56% higher N content (p<0.1) than maize growing in the middle of the alleys. However these differences did not develop until 2 months after sowing of the maize.
Spatial variability in soil nitrogen mineralization and mulch nitrogen release did not explain any of the differences in growth or N uptake of the maize with respect to distance from the trees. It is hypothesized that the slower growth of the maize next to theErythrina trees after 2 months is due to increasing light and/or nutrient competition from the trees as the trees recover from pollarding. The apparent lack of competition fromGlirigidia may be due to different rates of regrowth or different shoot and root architecture.
A theoretical model is described demonstrating that if a crop is to take advantage of the higher nutrient availability under alley cropping it must complete the major part of its growth before the trees recover significantly from pollarding, and start competing strongly with the crop.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Budelman A (1990) Woody legumes as live support systems in yam cultivation. 1. The tree crop interface. Agroforestry Systems 10: 47–60
Haggar JP, Warren GP, Beer JW and Kass D (1991) Phosphorus availability under alley cropping and mulched and unmulched sole cropping systems. Plant Soil 137: 275–283
Haggar JP (1991) The effect on N and P dynamics of introducing legume trees to a tropical annual cropping system. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Cambridge
Huxley P, Darbhofer T, Pinney A, Akunda E and Gatama D (1989) The Tree/Crop Interface: a project designed to generate experimental methodology. Agroforestry Abstracts 2(4): 127–145
Jimenez JB, Kass DCL and Onoro PC (1991) Analysis of the growth and phenology of corn (Zea mays L.) associated with mountain immortelle (Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F. Cook) at different tree densities, pp 166–169. Third International Windbreaks and Agroforestry Symposium Proceedings, Ridgetown College, Canada
Kang BT, Wilson GF and Spikens L (1981) Alley cropping maize (Zea mays L.) and Leucaena (Leucaena Leucocephala Lam) in southern Nigeria. Plant Soil 63: 165–179
Karim AB (1987) Alley cropping studies in the uplands of Sierra Leone. D.Phil. Thesis, University of Oxford
Kass DCL and Diaz-Romeu R, (1986) Effect of prunings of woody legumes on nutrient losses in sustained crop production on a Typic Humitropept (Humic Cambisol). Trans XIII Cong. Int. Soc. Soil Sci. III: 801–802, Hamburg
Kass D, Bustamente E and Bermudez W (1987) Efecto de cultivo en callejones (alley cropping) conGliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. sobre la incidencia de pudriciones de la mazorca en maiz (Zea mays L.). Procedide a la XXXIII Reunion Anual del Proyecto Cooperativo Centroamericano para Mejoramiento de Cultivos Alimentidos, Guatemala
Kass D, Barrantes A, Bermudez W, Campos W, Jimenez M and Sanchez J (1989) Resultados de seis anos de investigacion de cultivos en callejones (alley cropping) en ‘La Montana’, Turrialba, Costa Rica. El Chasqui 19: 5–24
Lal R (1989a) Agroforestry systems and soil surface management of a tropical alfisol. III. Changes in soil chemical properties. Agroforestry Systems 8: 113–132
Lal R (1989b) I. Soil moisture and crop yields. Agroforestry Systems 8: 7–29
Lawson TL and Kang BT (1990) Yield of maize and cowpea in an alley cropping system in relation to available light. Agricultural and Forest Meterology 52: 347–357
Russo RO (1984) Studies onErythrina poeppigiana (Walpers) O. F. Cook a versatile tree in Costa Rican Farms. Ph.D. Thesis, Southeastern University, Louisiana, USA, 145 pp
Sanchez JF (1989) Analisis de la estabilidad y dinamica de sistemas de produccion de cultivos en callejones. MS Thesis. Turriabla/Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza, Costa Rica, 174 pp
Szott LT, Palm, CA and Sanchez PA (1991) Agroforestry systems for acid soils in the humid tropics. Advances in Agronomy 45: 275–301
Yamoah CF, Agboola AA, Wilson GF & Mulongoy K (1986a) Soil properties as affected by the use of leguminous shrubs for alley cropping with maize. Agric Ecosystems Environ 18: 167–177
Yamoah CF, Agboola AA and Wilson GF (1986) Nutrient contribution and maize performance in alley cropping systems. Agroforestry Systems 4: 247–254
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haggar, J.P., Beer, J.W. Effect on maize growth of the interaction between increased nitrogen availability and competition with trees in alley cropping. Agroforest Syst 21, 239–249 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705243
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705243