Alley cropping on an Ultisol in subhumid Benin. Part 2: Changes in crop physiology and tree crop competition

From 1986–92 alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. was compared to a no-tree control, and fertilisation with 90, 39 and 75 kg ha^–1 N, P and K vs. no fertilisation were studied in maize and cassava grown intercropped or in rotation. Light transmission measurements and row position effects on food crop yield did not indicate any decisive shading effect in tree-crop competition when trees were pruned 2–3 times a year. In the last three years, with NPK in solecropping the crop growth rates (CGR) of maize reached a peak of 100 g m^–1 wk^–1 around 70 days after planting (DAP). CGR in unfertilised Cajanus alleys was as high as in corresponding fertilised treatments but delayed by one month. For cassava, the highest growth rates of 60–130 g m^–1 wk^–1 lasted from 60 to 190 DAP with NPK in solecropping. The harvest index (HI) of cassaca reached 40–50% in all intercropping and unfertilised solecropping treatments. The HI in solecropping was reduced by fertilisation to 30–40% due to excessive leaf growth at 60–190 DAP. The increase in number of thickened roots starting at 30 DAP in solecropping was delayed by one month in intercropping. The reason for significantly higher cassava root yields in Cajanus alleys as compared to no trees in the fertilised solecrop was attributed to the enhanced root formation at 85 DAP due to a slower release of nutrients subject to leaching such as N and K from tree prunings than from mineral fertiliser.     

The effects of between-row (alley widths) and within-row spacings ofGliricidia sepium on alley-cropped maize in Sierra Leone

The effects of spacings between hedgerows (alley widths) and the spacings of trees within hedgerows ofGliricidia sepium on growth and grain yield of maize were investigated at Senehun in southern Sierra Leone. Four between-row spacings (2, 4, 6 and 8 m) were combined with three within-row spacings (0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 m) in a split block design. Maize, at densities of 20,000, 40,000 and 53,333 plants ha^–1, was established in the alleys and also as pure crops. N, P and K fertilizers were applied to all plots before pruning of the trees began. When pruning started, only the pure maize plots received fertilizer; prunings from the hedgerows were returned to the appropriate alleys in the other plots.Plots with the highest maize populations consistently gave the best yields before pruning started, but lower populations gave improved yields after pruning. Yields of maize increased with increasing alley widths before the start of pruning, after which the narrower alleys of 2 and 4 m outyielded the wider ones by almost double, probably because of the large amount of nutrients applied in prunings. Lack of light limited grain yields before the start of pruning, when there was some shading by the hedgerows. Alleys of 2–4 m wide, planted no closer than 0.50 m within rows, resulted in more than twice the yields of maize than in the 8-m alleys planted at 0.25 m within rows, once the hedgerows were well established and were being managed.     

The potential of alley cropping im improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia II. Maize production

Theee trials to evaluat the potential of alley cropping in maize production on the low fertility, acidic soils in Northern Zambia are described. Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Sesbania sesban, Albizia falcataria, Fleminga congesta, and Cassia spectabilis, were grown in alley crops with hybrid maize and soybean. All trials received recommended rates of P and K fertiliser; N fertiliser was applied at three rates as a subplot treatment. One trial received lime before establishment.Only in the limed trial was there a significant improvement in maize yields through alley cropping; when no N fertiliser was applied, incorporation of Leucaena leucocephala prunings resulted in an increase of up to 95% in yields, with a smaller improvement being produced by Flemingia congesta. There was a significant correlation between the quantity of prunings biomass applied and the proportional increase in maize yields over the control treatment. It is suggested that the lack of effect of most of the tree species on crop yields was due to low biomass production.An economic analysis showed that alley cropping with limed Leucaena was only profitable when fertiliser costs were high in relation to maize prices. However, lime is both expensive and difficult to obtain and transport for most small scale farmers in the region, and is therefore not a practical recommendation. It is suggested that future alley cropping research should focus on screening a wider range of tree species, including other species of Leucaena, for acid tolerance and higher biomass production.     

Effect of alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala and fertilizer application on yield of vegetable crops

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of alley cropping vegetable crops with Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit for two seasons on a sandy loam Oxic paleustalf in southwestern Nigeria. Four vegetable crops (Amaranthus cruentus L.; Celosia argentea L.; Okra, Hibiscus esculentus L.; and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in control plots and in 4-m wide alleys between established Leucaena hedgerows without and with fertilizer (30 N-13 P-24 K kg ha^–1). Leucaena prunings yielded large dry biomass and nutrients during both seasons. Yield of four vegetable crops responded more to fertilizer in control than in alley cropped treatments. Better yield of vegetables in alley cropped plots was in part due to following effect of the Leucaena hedgerows. Fertilizer application increased mean yields of Amaranthus, Celosia, okra and tomato by 325, 164, 47 and 94% in control plots and by 36, 26, 4 and 20% in alley cropped plots, respectively. For both seasons, yields were not significantly different between alley cropped with and without fertilizer and the control with fertilizer treatments. Yield was least in control without fertilizer. Alley cropping with Leucaena can reduce fertilizer requirement for vegetable production. Cost and return analysis using 1988 prices indicated that alley cropping with vegetable crops can be profitable.c/o Miss Maureen Larkin, L. W. Lambourn & Company, 26 Dingwall Road, Croydon CR9 3EE, England     

Yields of maize/cassava intercrops grown with hedgerows of three multipurpose trees on an acid Ultisol of Cameroon

Maize/cassava were intercropped between hedgerows of Senna spectabilis [(DC.) Irwin and Barneby], Flemingia macrophylla [(Willd.) Merrill] and Dactyladenia barteri [(Hook f ex Oliv.) Engl.] for five consecutive years on an Ultisol in southern Cameroon. Crop yields and hedgerow biomass production in the third to fifth year of cropping are reported. S. spectabilis produced more biomass than F. macrophylla and D. barteri in all years. Cumulative maize grain and cassava tuber yields were highest in F. macrophylla alley cropping, outyielding the no-tree control consistently by 42 to 67% (average 56%). Between hedgerows of D. barteri and S. spectabilis, crops yielded 17% and 16% more than the no-tree control, respectively. However, between S. spectabilis hedgerows, yields were highly variable between years (–15% to +35% compared to the no-tree control) and thus the system is at risk of failure. F. macrophylla is recommended for continuous alley cropping of maize/cassava intercrop. The use of D. barteri may require fallow phases for biomass accumulation followed by cropping phases with rigorous pruning. Although this may lead to lower cumulative yields, the products of the fallow phase, such as stakes and firewood, may provide some compensation.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Competition for light between hedgerows and maize in an alley cropping system in Hawaii, USA

Successful agroforestry systems depend on minimizing tree-cropcompetition. In this study, field experiments and a simulation model were usedto distinguish between tree-crop competition for light and belowgroundcompetition in an alley cropping system. Maize (Zea maysL.) was harvested periodically in three treatments: between vertical barriers ofshade cloth, hedgerows of Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.)Merr., and sole maize. Radiation intercepted by the maize was calculated using asimulation model based on measured values for direct and diffuse light, hedgerowdimensions and leaf area, and solar trajectory. Radiation use efficiency wascalculated as biomass production per unit of intercepted radiation. Maizebiomass and yield in both the alley crop and the shade cloth treatment weregreatest in the center of the alleys. Grain yield between hedgerows was 3.5Mg ha⁻¹ (averaged across the alley), significantlyless than in the shade cloth (7.4 Mg ha⁻¹) or thesole maize (7.7 Mg ha⁻¹) treatments. Lightintercepted by the maize in the alley crop was about half that intercepted bythe maize in the sole crop. The shade cloth intercepted less light than thehedgerows because it did not have an appreciable width. Radiation use efficiencyin the three treatments was 0.75 g mol⁻¹ PAR anddid not differ significantly among treatments. Tree-crop competition wasoverwhelmingly for light. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A study of the potential of hedgerow intercropping in semi-arid India using a two-way systematic design

The potential of hedgerow intecrropping with Leucaena leucocephala was explored on vertic Inceptisols over 4 years at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India. The study was conducted using a systematic layout involving different alley widths ranging from 1.35 to 4.95 m and with varying distances between hedge and crops. The alleys were cropped with alternate rows of sorghum and pigeonpea. Hedges composed double Leucaena hedgerows 60 cm apart were periodically harvested for fodder. Sole crops of all components and a sorghum/pigeonpea intercrop were included in all four replications of the study.Starting in the second year, Leucaena was progressively more competitive to annual crops, causing substantial yield reduction. Competition (primarily for moisture) was most severe in narrow alleys and was greatest on pigeonpea.The growth of Leucaena was not sufficient to compensate for reduced crop yields. Land equivalent ratios (LERs) calculated on the basis of grain yield of crops and Leucaena fodder yields showed that hedgerow intercropping (HI) was advantageous over sole crops only during the first two years using wide alleys, but disadvantegeous in the last two years. LERs calculated on the basis of total dry matter indicated only a small advantage for HI (13–17 percent) over sole crops in wider (>4 m) alleys. Average returns per year from HI exceeded those of the most productive annual crop system (sorghum/pigeonpea intercropping) by 8 percent in 4.05 m alleys, and by 16 percent in 4.95 m alleys. Fodder production during the dry season was 40 percent of the annual total in these alley widths. Thus hedgerow intercropping at 4–5 m alley width is not very attractive for farmers in semi-arid India, which has 600–700 mm of annual rainfall. There is a need to examine the potential of HI in wider alleys. The merits and limitations of the systematic design are discussed.     

Calliandra calothyrsus (Meissn.) in an alley cropping system with sequentially cropped maize and cowpea in southwestern Nigeria

Alley cropping is increasingly becoming accepted as an appropriate technology with the potential to provide stable and sustainable food production in the tropics. However, only a few of the potential trees/shrubs have been tested. The performance of Calliandra calothyrsus (Meissn) as an alley cropping species was evaluated on an Oxic Paleustalf. The treatments were: prunings removal, prunings application; and three N levels, 0,45, and 90 kg N ha^–1, in a factorial arrangement. The cropping sequence was maize (main season) follwed by cowpea (minor season). Nitrogen fertilizer treatments were applied to the maize crop only. Four annual prunings of Calliandra hedgerows produced a total of 6 t ha^–1 of dry matter prunings containing about 200 kg ha^–1 of N. Maize yields were increased by the application of prunings but no benefits were obtained by supplementing the prunings with inorganic N. An average maize grain yield of 3.1 t ha^–1 per year was maintained without any chemical fertilizer input. However, without any prunings, maize yields were substantially increased by the application of inorganic N. Cowpea yield did not respond to application of prunings but plants grown adjacent to the hedgerows had reduced yield probably due to shading. Our results suggest that six rows (0.57 m inter-row spacing) between Calliandra hedgerows spaced at 4 m are optimum for this cowpea variety. The performance of Calliandra was comparable to that of Leucaena which has been widely shown to be effective in alley cropping systems of the region.     

A comparison of alley cropping and block planting systems in sub-humid Bénin

Alley cropping would be acceptable to farmers in West Africa, if the amount of tree-crop competition could be reduced and crop yields increased and stabilized. The importance of overall tree-crop competition in alley cropping was therefore quantified at three locations in the Republic of Bénin, by comparing the performance of a maize-cassava intercrop and mixed hedges of Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla in an alley cropping system, where the tree-crop interaction was high, and in a cut and carry system with block plantings, where the interface was restricted to one face. The establishment and productivity of trees in both agroforestry systems depended strongly on the natural soil fertility of the site, K and Ca being critical for both species. Alley hedges produced progressively more cut dry matter with higher leaf proportions than tree blocks and hence yielded significantly higher nutrient masses. Overall, the cut dry matter from five cuttings per cropping season ranged among locations from 855 to 1651 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 for alley hedges and from 777 to 869 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 for tree blocks. Differences in yields of maize and cassava between both systems were insignificant in all three environments and all cropping years under observation. The results of this study suggest that the overall effect of tree-crop competition was unimportant, but that tree-tree competition was the decisive factor in determining the total system productivity.     

Nitrogen contribution of five leguminous trees and shrubs to alley cropped maize in Ibadan, Nigeria

There are abundant local legume trees and shrubs potentially suitable for alley cropping systems in the sub-Saharan Africa, which are yet to be studied. The nitrogen contribution of two years old Albizia lebbeck and S. corymbosato yield of maize grown in alley cropping was compared to that of Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala in four seasons at Ibadan. Maize shoot biomass and maize grain yield in A. lebbeck alley compared favourably with that in G. sepium and L. leucocephala. Maize biomass and grain yield in S. corymbosa alleys were the lowest. Within A. lebbeck, L. leucocpehala, and G. sepium alleys there were no significant differences in the maize yield in the alleys that received 0, 40 or 80 kg N/ha. Application of more than 40 kg N/ha in S. corymbosa alleys was not necessary as there was no significant increase in maize yield at the higher level of nitrogen. Maize yield and N uptake in A. lebbeck alleys were not significantly different from yield and N uptake in G. sepium, and L. leucocephala at the same fertilizer level. There was a significant correlation between hedgerow tree biomass and maize grain yield. At the end of twelve weeks after pruning application, the organic residues of the pruning applied in the alleys ranged from 5% in G. sepium and 44% in A. lebbeck in the first year compared with the original pruning applied which showed that the slow rate of A. lebbeck decomposition could have a beneficial effect on the soil. The maize N recovery from applied N fertilizer was low (10–22%). Percentage N recovery from the prunings was low in the non-N fixing trees (12–22%), while the recovery was high (49–59%) in A. lebbeck as well as in the other nitrogen fixing tree prunings. Thus A. lebbeck, apart from enhancing maize growth and grain yield like in L. leucocephala and G. sepium, had an added advantage because it remained longer as mulching material on the soil because of its slow rate of decomposition. It was able to survive pruning frequencies with no die-back. This indicates that A. lebbeck is a good potential candidate for alley cropping system in West Africa. S. corymbosa performed poorly compared with the other legume trees. Though it responded to N fertilizer showing a positive interaction between the hedgerow and fertilizer application, it had a high die back rate following pruning periods and termite attack.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of no-tillage and alley cropping on soil properties and crop yields in a Typic Kandiudult of southern Cameroon

The effects of no-tillage and alley cropping withCassia spectabilis hedgerows on soil properties and crop yields in a Typic Kandiudult of the humid forest zone of Central Africa were studied over the period 1990–1992 in southern Cameroon. The experimental treatments were no-tillage and hand tillage, both of which were either alley cropped withC. spectabilis hedgerows at interhedgerow spacings of 6 m or not alley cropped (control). A maize + cassava intercrop was planted in all plots at the commencement of each growing season.No-tillage had no significant effects on soil physical properties except to decrease soil temperature. In comparison to hand tillage, no-tillage increased soil organic C and total N in both years and pH in 1991. Mean organic C and total N with no-tillage were 1.77% and 0.174%, respectively, whereas with hand tillage were 1.35% and 0.145%, respectively. Notillage also resulted in a greater proportion ofC. spectabilis roots occurring in the topsoil. Alley cropping caused significant reductions in dry season soil temperature, surface seal formation and cassava root growth, and increases in exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration compared with non-alley cropped controls. Infiltration rate at 2 h after commencing measurements were greater by 75% with alley cropping. Lowest maize cob and cassava tuber yeilds were observed when no-tillage was combined with alley cropping whereas highest yields occurred with no-tillage alone.     

Effects of alley cropped Calliandra calothyrsus and Cliricidia sipium hedges on weed growth,soil properties,and taro yields in Western Samoa

Field experiments were conducted on a tropical Inceptisol at Apia, Western Samoa to evaluate the effects of alley cropping on soil characteristics, weed populations, and taro yield. Taro yields were compared from Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sipium alleys, spaced at 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m, and a no tree control. Measurements were made for soil moisture and temperature, weed growth, hedge biomass production, and taro growth and yield. Data was analyzed over 4 consecutive years from 1988 to 1991.Hedge biomass yields ranged from 5.1 to 16.1 t/ha/yr dry weight over the 4 years of the trial, with Calliandra and Gliricidia performing equally well. Biomass yields decreased by about 2 mt/ha with increasing alley width from 4 to 6 m alleys. Weed populations were significantly lower in the 4 m alleys compared to the 5 m, 6 m, and control plots. The 6 m alleys supported the significantly highest weed populations. Soil from alley plots held significantly more water in the 0.3 to 1 bar range than soils from the controls. Four years of mulch application measurably improved soil water holding capacity and bulk density. However, no improvement was seen in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and organic carbon content in the alley plots compared to the controls. There was no positive yield effect of alley cropping on taro yield. Yields in the 5 m and 6 m alleys were not significantly different from the control, while the 4 m alleys produce significantly lower yields than the control. Thus, alley cropping did not prove a viable alternative to traditional shifting cultivation after 4 years of continuous cropping, in this trial.     

Above- and below-ground biomass dynamics in a sole cropping and an alley cropping system withGliricidia sepium in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of West Africa

A considerable amount of data is available about above-ground biomass production and turnover in tropical agroforestry systems, but quantitative information concerning root turnover is lacking. Above- and below-ground biomass dynamics were studied during one year in an alley cropping system withGliricidia sepium and a sole cropping system, on aPlinthic Lixisol in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of the Côte d'Ivoire. Field crops were maize and groundnut. Live root mass was higher in agroforestry than in sole cropping during most of the study period. This was partly due to increased crop and weed root development and partly to the presence of the hedgerow roots. Fine root production was higher in the alleys and lower under the hedgerows compared to the sole cropping plots. Considering the whole plot area, root production in agroforestry and sole cropping systems was approximatly similar with 1000–1100 kg ha^–1 (dry matter with 45% C) in 0–50 cm depth; about 55% of this root production occured in the top 10 cm. Potential sources of error of the calculation method are discussed on the basis of the compartment flow model. Above-ground biomass production was 11.1 Mg ha^–1 in sole cropping and 13.6 Mg ha^–1 in alley cropping, of which 4.3 Mg ha^–1 were hedgerow prunings. The input of hedgerow root biomass into the soil was limited by the low root mass ofGliricidia as compared to other tree species, and by the decrease of live root mass of hedgerows and associated perennial weeds during the cropping season, presumably as a result of frequent shoot pruning.     

Maize and sesbania production in relay cropping at three landscape positions in Malawi

The relay cropping of sesbania (Sesbania sesban) — a N₂-fixing legume — with maize (Zea mays) has been proposed as a strategy to increase soil fertility and food production in densely populated areas in southern Africa. We determined the production of relay-cropped maize and sesbania at three landscape positions under researcher-designed and farmer-managed conditions in southern Malawi. Three landscape positions (dambo valley or bottomland, dambo margin with < 12% slope, and steep slopes with > 12% slope) were examined in factorial combination with N sources for maize (no added N, relay-cropped sesbania, and calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer). Relay cropping of sesbania with maize increased maize grain yield, as compared to unfertilized sole maize in two of three years. Split application of 96 kg N ha^–1 as N fertilizer, however, was more effective than sesbania in increasing maize yields. Survival of sesbania seedlings and biomass production of sesbania were greater in the dambo valley and dambo margin than on steep slopes. Maize yields tended to be lower on steep slopes than in the dambo valley and dambo margin areas. Biomass production of sesbania and hence the potential benefits of intercropping sesbania with maize appear greater in the dambo valleys and dambo margins than on steep slopes.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Resource competition across the crop-tree interface in a maize-silver maple temperate alley cropping stand in Missouri

In order to improve the management of temperate alley cropping, it is important to study the growth and physiological responses of plants arising from competition across the crop-tree interface. Maize (Zea mays L.) was established between rows of seven-year-old silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) trees in north-central Missouri, USA with four imposed treatments: (1) an unmodified control with a standard rate of N fertilization (179.2 kg N (as NH₄NO₃) ha⁻¹), (2) trenching with root barrier installed, (3) supplemental fertilization treatment (standard N + 89.6 kg ha⁻¹ N), and (4) a combination of trenching with root barrier and supplemental fertilization. Whereas soil N status had little effect on maize physiology and yield at the interface, competition for soil water was substantial in both years. Without a root barrier, soil water content, predawn and midday water potential, and midday net photosynthesis of maize plants adjacent to the tree row were reduced compared with those of plants in the alley center, but no differences across the maize crop were evident in the presence of a barrier. Grain yield of border row maize plants lacking an adjacent barrier was depressed compared with that for maize plants with a root barrier present (8.42 vs. 6.59 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1997; 5.38 vs. 3.91 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1998). However, the barrier did not completely restore yield to that in the alley center, suggesting that reductions in light near the tree row also limited production. Top ear height showed a similar pattern of response to the presence of a root barrier. Silver maple trees responded to root barrier installation with reduced annual diameter growth and reduced water status on some sample days. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen mineralization and maize yields following application of tree prunings to a sandy soil in Zimbabwe

Despite the promotion of prunings as sources of nitrogen for crops, lack of synchronization between N mineralization from prunings and plant uptake remains a major limitation to the impact of prunings on crop yields. A laboratory and a field experiment were therefore carried out to determine the mineralization patterns of selected prunings and assess the potential that exists to improve synchrony by mixing prunings of different quality. The laboratory incubation experiment was conducted for 84 days to determine the C and N release patterns of prunings of different quality and the manipulation of the C and N mineralization trends by mixing prunings of different quality. High quality prunings were considered to be those with high CO₂ evolution rates and mineralize N rapidly. The % C and % N released in 84 days were highest for the high quality prunings of Tithonia diversifolia (70% and 30% respectively) and least for the low quality prunings of Flemingia macrophylla (25% and –5% respectively). The medium quality prunings of Acacia angustissima and Calliandra calothyrsus had similar proportions of released C and N (about 40% C and 10% N). Different mixtures of T. diversifolia with other species showed contrasting influence on C release and N mineralization. Most mixtures released less C than that predicted, but in contrast most mixtures released N at a rate either matching or above the predicted. The % N released was strongly correlated with the polyphenol protein binding capacity (r² = 0.53) and also with the % C released (r² = 0.62). The field experiment was done for two cropping seasons to determine the effects of the prunings of these species and their mixtures on maize grain yield. The prunings were added at 5 t ha^–1 and incorporated into the top 15 cm by hand hoeing in the first season and their residual effects were monitored in the second season. Medium and low quality prunings produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher maize grain yields in the first season ranging between 2.4 t ha^–1 and 3.4 t ha^–1 compared with T. diversifolia which produced 1.7 t ha^–1. This suggested better synchrony in N release and uptake by maize with medium and low quality prunings compared with high quality prunings. The only mixture that indicated improved synchrony was the mixture of T. diversifolia and C. calothyrsus. This study showed that mixing prunings of different quality produce different patterns of N mineralization, some of which were unexpected and had a potential for improving N synchrony.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Perspectives on hedgerow intercropping

Hedgrow intercropping (alley cropping) is a relatively new technology involving growing agricultural crops between rows of planted tree species. Leucaena is the most widely studied tree species for the practice and research has indicated that it can yield over 200 kg ha^–1 year^–1 of nitrogen for application in the alleys where crops are planted. More herbage (and nitrogen) are obtained from narrow alleys, and crops utilise the nitrogen better if the prunings are incorporated into the soil before planting. Low pruning heights may prevent shading of the crops.Most of the agronomic aspects of the practice have been investigated in humid lowlands with high rainfall. There is a need to focus research on testing the practice under varied agro-ecological conditions, and using several suitable multipurpose trees species at a wide range of alley width and plant population. Investigations should include more than one crop in the alleys, and at different spatial arrangements. Management schedules, like time and frequency of pruning the trees and method of applying the prunings under different ecological conditions need more research attention. Studies on competition also need to be undertaken in order to suggest improvements to the practice.This paper attempts to put together and discuss some of the recent advances on these and other management aspects concerning hedgerow intercropping, and areas that need further research endeavour are exposed.     

Productivity of alley farming with leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala Lam. de Wit) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum K. Schum) in coastal lowland Kenya

Inadequate supply of fodder is a serious constraint to the potentially-promising small-holder-dairy production system in coastal Kenya. Alley farming could be an approach to addressing this problem. A study of forage production based on Napier grass and leucaena in an alley cropping system was conducted on an infertile sandy soil in lowland coastal Kenya. The effects of leucaena hedgerows,Clitoria ternatea (L.) intercropping, addition of slurry (110 t ha^–1 yr^–1) and two harvesting managements (severe and lenient) on the yield of Napier grass fodder, were assessed. The study was initiated in 1989 and three years results are reported.Napier grass fodder yields did not decline in the presence of leucaena heggerows in most harvests. Generally, the Napier rows adjacent to the hedgerows gave greater yields than in either the centre or sole Napier rows. Interplanting clitoria between Napier rows had a beneficial effect on Napier yields in the later harvests. Compared with sole Napier, the hedgerow treatment receiving slurry increased yield ha^–1 of Napier by 50%, of total forage by 80%, and of nitrogen (measured over two harvests) by 200%.During the first two years of cropping most treatments did not affect the OM and nitrogen content of the soil but by the end of the third cropping year, slurry application increased soil OM by 21% and slurry and clitoria treatments each increased soil nitrogen by 33%.The study demonstrated the increases in the supply and quality of forages for dairy cattle that can be achieved by planting complementary forages, legume and grass species in an intercropping system like alley farming and the benefits to soil composition by the return of slurry.     

The use of Sesbania (Sesbania rostrata) and urea in lowland rice production in Sierra Leone

The suitability of sesbania (Sesbania rostrata) as green manure for lowland rice was evaluated in the Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) of Sierra Leone, and attempts were made to identify appropriate methods of its management in combination with urea. Sesbania — rice intercropping and sesbania — rice rotation treatments were compared with 60 kg N ha^–1 applied in two splits and 30 kg N ha^–1 as basal or top dressed to rice grown in the two cropping systems. The ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique was used to quantify N uptake from the green manure and urea and its utilization by rice. Rotating 40–50 days old sesbania two days prior to transplanting and top dressing with 30 kg N ha^–1 as urea at nine weeks after transplanting gave highest rice grain yield (121% over the control without sesbania and urea). However intercropping sesbania with rice tended to increase N uptake and N fertilizer utilization more than the rotation treatments. The higher grain yield of rice in rotation despite lower N uptake than intercropping shows that other effects than only N explain the beneficial effect of sesbania on rice.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Productivity of annual cropping and agroforestry systems on a shallow Alfisol in semi-arid India

An experiment was conducted at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India from June 1984 to April 1988 on a shallow Alfisol to determine whether the productivity of annual crop systems can be improved by adding perennial species such as Leucaena leucocephala managed as hedgerows. Except in the first year, crop yields were suppressed by Leucaena due to competition for moisture. The severity of competition was high in years of low rainfall and on long-duration crops such as castor and pigeonpea. Based on total biomass, sole Leucaena was most productive; even on the basis of land productivity requiring both Leucaena fodder and annual crops, alley cropping had little or no advantage over block planting of both components. Application of hedge prunings as green manure or mulch on top of 60 kg N and 30 kg P ₂ O ₅ha⁻¹ to annual crops did not show any benefit during the experimental period, characterized by below average rainfall. Indications are that (i) alley cropping was beneficial in terms of soil and water conservation with less runoff and soil loss with 3 m alleys than with 5.4 m alleys, and (ii) root pruning or deep ploughing might be effective in reducing moisture competition.