ISSN:
1572-9680
Keywords:
Erythrina
;
Gliricidia
;
alley cropping
;
maize
;
competition
;
nitrogen availability
;
Costa Rica
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
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.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00705243
