Studies on Armillaria mellea in East Africa

The effect of unsterile soil leachates on the colonisation by Armillaria mellea of cylinders of Pinus patula and Cupressus lusitanica was studied and is discussed with relevance to East Africa.     

Modelling trees' effect on maize in the Grevillea Robusta + maize system in Central Kenya

In the Central Highlands on Kenya, Grevillearobusta (A. Cunn.) trees are commonly planted on maize (Zeamays L.) fields. This type of production system covers about 750 000ha in the highland area around Mt Kenya. Knowing the influence oftrees on maize yield would help to regulate the density and size distribution ofthe tree cover. The spatial distribution of trees varies from rather uniform toextremely aggregated patterns, calling for a spatial modelling approach. Thisstudy employed three different spatial competition index types to model theeffect of trees on the maize yield at a given location. The maize yield wasexpressed as a function of competition index, which was calculated from thediameters and distances of trees. The data were collected from 14 maize fields,and included measurements on 857 trees and 2514 one-m² maize plots. The models indicated that high competition by treesdecreases maize yields considerably, but at the field level the decrease issmall with normal tree stockings (about 200 trees per hectare). Characteristicto the models was low degree of explained variance, which was partly due to highsampling error in maize yield measurement and low variation in competition(places with high competition by trees were seldom planted with maize). One ofthe maize yield models was combined with an earlier simulation program forG. robusta. The simulator allows one to predict thetemporal development of any G. robusta – maize fieldin Central Kenya. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growing common plantation tree species in Kenya for sale of carbon and wood supply: what is the best bet?

The introduction of carbon finance as an incentive in forestry farming has a potential of increasing the amount of carbon sequestered. However, this has created a daunting task among investors in forestry to optimise the joint production of wood and carbon sequestration. For instance, investors might find it profitable to give up some timber returns in exchange for carbon credits. This study evaluated expected income from growing Cupressus lusitanica Mill., Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham., Eucalyptus saligna Sm. and Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. for wood and/or the carbon market in central Kenya. The global average unit price of carbon and stumpage royalty were used to estimate expected returns from sale of carbon credits and wood, respectively. There were significant differences (p < 0.01) in the expected amount of income from sale of carbon and wood among the four species. Specifically, at economic rotation of 30 years with stand density of 532 trees ha^?1 P. patula and C. lusitanica yielded US$28 050 and US$23 650, respectively, from sale of carbon compared with US$59 000 and US$51 000, respectively, from sale of wood. This was twice the value investors receive from clear-felling as compared with sales from carbon. Similarly, at economic rotation of 33 years with stand density of 150 trees ha^?1, a forest investor in E. saligna would earn US$15 400 from sale of carbon compared with US$33 000 from sale of wood. Overall, the amount expected to be realised from sale of carbon was lower compared with that from sale of wood. This demonstrates that the price dynamics of carbon offsets in the voluntary and the compliance markets need to remain competitive and attractive for the forest owners to give up some timber returns in exchange for carbon income or to modify forest management regulation in order to increase carbon sequestration.     

Diversity of naturally-regenerated native woody species in forest plantations in the Ethiopian highlands

Woody species diversity and ground layervegetation cover were studied in plantations ofPinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica,Grevillea robusta, and Juniperusprocera, and in surrounding natural forests inWondo Genet, Ethiopia. In the understory of theplantations, a total of 53 naturallyregenerated tree and shrub species belonging to31 families were recorded. Important indigenoustimber species were also represented. Treesaccounted for 72% of all naturally-regeneratedwoody plant species. On the average, 78% ofthe woody species found in plantations werealso found in the natural forest. There was nosignificant variation in understory woodyspecies richness among plantations. C.lusitanica plantations had a significantlyhigher abundance of woody species than those ofP. patula, but the difference wasnot significant in relation to J. procera,G. robusta and the adjacent natural forest.The herbaceous ground cover percentage in G. robusta and P. patula stands wasconsiderably higher than in C. lusitanicaand J. procera stands. Relative toplantations of other species, plantations ofthe native tree species J. procera hadhigher understory species richness, mediumwoody species abundance and low ground cover.Although there was a marked variation inoverstory plantation density, its effect onunderstory species richness and abundance wasnot significant. The density ofnaturally-regenerated woody species inplantations was over three times the usualplanting density in Ethiopia, indicating a highpotential of forest plantations for restoringthe natural forest ecosystems on degraded landsat a comparatively low cost.     

Exploring below ground complementarity in agroforestry using sap flow and root fractal techniques

Indices of shallow rootedness and fractal methods of root system study were combined with sapflow monitoring to determine whether these ‘short-cut’ methods could be used to predict tree competition with crops and complementarity of below ground resource use in an agroforestry trial in semi-arid Kenya. These methods were applied to Grevillea robusta Cunn., Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp., Melia volkensii Gürke and Senna spectabilis syn. Cassia spectabilis aged two and four years which were grown in simultaneous linear agroforestry plots with maize as the crop species. Indices of competition (shallow rootedness) differed substantially according to tree age and did not accurately predict tree:crop competition in plots containing trees aged four years. Predicted competition by trees on crops was improved by multiplying the sum of proximal diameters squared for shallow roots by diameter at breast height², thus taking tree size into account. Fractal methods for the quantification of total length of tree root systems worked well with the permanent structural root system of trees but seriously underestimated the length of fine roots (less than 2 mm diameter). Sap flow measurements of individual roots showed that as expected, deep tap roots provided most of the water used by the trees during the dry season. Following rainfall, substantial water uptake by shallow lateral roots occurred more or less immediately, suggesting that existing roots were functioning in the recently wetted soil and that there was no need for new fine roots to be produced to enable water uptake following rainfall. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fertilization in a Fourth Rotation Eucalyptus grandis Plantation with Minimal Management

ABSTRACT

Successive rotation and wood harvest of fast growing trees, like Eucalyptus grandis, can deplete soil nutrient pools. In these intensively used soils, productivity can decrease, and fertilization can be necessary to recover soil fertility. The aim of this work is to evaluate if fertilization with N and P increases tree growth and foliar nutrients in an Eucalyptus grandis plantation growing over a soil used for three rotations of this species. In the same experiment, both fertilization on seedlings and coppiced trees were evaluated. One and two years after planting, any fertilization treatment increased tree growth, even though coppiced trees had higher total height and DBH than replanted trees. Coppiced trees had lower specific leaf area, as well as lower N and P leaf concentration. The lack of promotion in growth due to fertilization can be explained by the inputs of nutrients from the harvest residues of the previous rotation. As residues were never burned in this site, its decomposition released a high part of nutrients necessary to sustain growth during the first two years. We conclude that in sites where residues were left on site and were not burned, nutrient availability is enough and so fertilization at establishment is not necessary. It remains to be determined if fertilization is necessary at mid or end rotation, in order to balance nutrients export with harvest wood.     

Effect on maize growth of the interaction between increased nitrogen availability and competition with trees in alley cropping

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.     

Predicting the spatial distribution of Cupressus lusitanica productivity in New Zealand

Data from a nationwide set of permanent sample plots was used to develop a multiple regression model of Cupressus lusitanica site index (mean height of the 100 largest diameter trees per hectare at age 30 years) using independent variables obtained from national extent ancillary maps and interpolated surfaces. Using this model New Zealand productivity surfaces for C. lusitanica site index were constructed.The final model accounted for 82% of the variance in the data using mean minimum air temperature, establishment date (expressed as years since 1900), potential root depth, degree of ground frost in summer and modified vegetation cover classification, with each variable accounting for, respectively, 45, 20, 7, 6 and 4% of the variance in the data. A one-at-a-time validation indicated that the final model was relatively unbiased, and accurate, with the predicted values accounting for 76% of the variance in the actual site index.     

Identification of key soil indicators influencing plantation productivity and sustainability across a national trial series in New Zealand

New Zealand is committed to developing sustainable forest management practices as evidenced through Government involvement in international forestry agreements such as the Montreal Process, and the forestry sector's adoption of forest certification mechanisms. Despite this, there is little quantitative evidence of how plantation forestry affects site quality and long-term site productivity. To address this issue, a nationwide study of site quality was established at 31 key sites covering the range of edaphic and environmental conditions for New Zealand plantation forests. At each location, eight short-term site quality plots were planted at a very high stand density (40,000 stems ha⁻¹) to rapidly identify key soil indicators of growth which may be useful for determining site sustainability. The plots at each site were arranged in a factorial design with the following three factors: species (Pinus radiata D. Don and Cupressus lusitanica Mill.), fertiliser (no fertiliser and nutrients supplied in excess of crop demands) and disturbance (low and high disturbance). These plots were harvested after 4 years and data was used to (i) examine treatment and site effects on volume mean annual increment (MAI) and (ii) identify key soil properties that influence volume MAI for the two species.Volume MAI significantly ranged 7-fold across sites. For the treatments, species accounted for most of the variance in volume MAI, with values for P. radiata significantly exceeding those of C. lusitanica by 95%. Volume MAI was significantly affected by fertilisation which induced gains of 33%. Disturbance did not significantly affect volume MAI. After correction had been made for climatic variables, soil properties that were most strongly related to volume MAI for both species included C:N ratio, total phosphorus (P), and organic P. When soil properties were included in combination, the best predictive models of volume MAI formulated for P. radiata included total P and C:N ratio while the best predictive model for C. lusitanica included C:N ratio and Olsen P. Variation in species sensitivity to total P and C:N ratio is likely to be attributable to their different mycorrhizal associations. For both species, the most important soil physical property influenced by management operations was total porosity. This research suggests that total P, C:N ratio, Olsen P and total porosity should be used as indicator properties for determining sustainability of plantation grown P. radiata and C. lusitanica.     

Using vector analysis to understand temporal changes in understorey-tree competition in agroforestry systems

Techniques to determine the respective effects of resource limitation or over supply on tree productivity are important for developing effective forestry and agroforestry management strategies. There is a need for a simple integrative measure of the understorey effect on soil nutrient and moisture competition on tree productivity in agroforestry systems during the time period before trees dominate understorey vegetation. For the first time, the little used, but potentially valuable tool of vector analysis was evaluated over 5 years by investigating nutrient and water competition in a Pinus radiata silvopastoral experiment which had 5 pastures and a nil-understorey control. The study, from ages 2 to 6 years, was on fertile arable soils in a temperate, sub-humid climate. Establishing permanent crops on this arable site increased soil pH, C, N, organic-P and C:N ratio. Vector analysis, an analysis based on fascicle nutrient concentrations, dry weights and nutrient contents, predicted nutrient and moisture competition until the trees dominated the site after year 5. Foliar critical nutrient levels were helpful where one of the vectors was unable to distinguish between nutrient and moisture stresses. While moisture and N were found to be the main competitive factors, vector analysis also detected foliar nutrient accumulation, particularly for P and Mg. Lucerne and phalaris understoreys were the most competitive pastures, followed by cocksfoot and the two ryegrass treatments. Foliage vector analysis enabled the relative competitive effects of soil nutrients and moisture on tree productivity to be determined. Soil nutrient concentrations and soil moisture measurements and the effects of competition on tree growth were consistent with predictions from vector analysis.     

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.     

Modelling growth behaviour in monoculture in subtropical eastern Australia of two eucalypt species that differ in shade tolerance

Growth behaviour of the relatively shade-intolerant species Eucalyptus dunnii and the rather more shade-tolerant Corymbia citriodora was considered during several growth periods over 8–14 years of age in experimental plantation monoculture in subtropical New South Wales. Larger trees dominated growth in any stand; this was consistent with the principle that inter-tree competition in such forests is for light and is asymmetric in that larger trees shade smaller trees but the reverse does not occur. Once competition was established, competition-induced mortality of C. citriodora was less than that of E. dunnii. A model relating tree diameter growth rate to tree diameter, competitive position in the stand and stand basal area was developed. The model showed that smaller, hence partially shaded, trees in stands of C. citriodora were better able to maintain their growth rates than equivalent trees in stands of E. dunnii. It is hypothesised that this reflects the greater shade tolerance of C. citriodora. This pattern of growth led to a more even distribution of tree size classes across the stand in the more shade-tolerant species.     

Effect of understory vegetation management through liming and sewage sludge fertilisation on soil fertility and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> D. Don growth after reforestation

Tree–understory competition is one of the most important aspects that control tree growth after reforestation. The relationship between trees and the understory can be modified by improving acidic soils with lime and by fertilisation. This experiment aims to evaluate the effect of soil improvements on the pasture–tree relationship by liming and fertilisation on different dates in a Pinus radiata-reforested area. Both lime and sewage sludge improved soil fertility by increasing Ca and reducing Al in the soil. Initially, tree development was reduced by lime, which improved the establishment of competitive grasses. Tree growth in limed treatments did not initially respond to sludge inputs, likely because both tree and grass roots shared the same soil depth layer. Three years after establishment, the use of high doses of sewage sludge in limed plots caused a growth rate similar to the best treatments of unlimed plots, which grew with a poorly sown grass establishment. After 2 years of the experiment, the presence of Erica woody shrub diminished tree development. High doses of sewage sludge with lime, as well as high doses of sewage sludge without lime, applied in April and low doses of sewage sludge without lime added in early February improved tree growth. From a practical point of view, lime and sewage sludge dose close to 100 kg total N ha⁻¹ should be recommended if a silvopastoral system is established, as it enhances pasture production and tree growth.     

Afforestation method affects the isotopic composition of planted Pinus halepensis in a semiarid region of Spain

We used an isotopic approach to evaluate the effects of three afforestation methods on the ecophysiology of an Aleppo pine plantation in semiarid Spain. The site preparation methods tested were excavation of planting holes (H), subsoiling (S), and subsoiling with addition of urban solid refuse to soil (S + USR). Five years after plantation establishment, trees in the S + USR treatment were over three times larger than those in the S treatment, and nearly five-fold larger than those planted in holes. Differences in tree biomass per hectare were even greater due to disparities in initial planting density and pine tree mortality among treatments. Pine trees in the S + USR treatment showed higher foliar P concentration, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N than those in the S or H treatments. Foliar δ¹⁵N data proved that trees in the S + USR treatment utilized USR as a source of nitrogen. Foliar δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O data suggest that improved nutrient status differentially stimulated photosynthesis over stomatal conductance in the pine trees of the S + USR treatment, thus enhancing water use efficiency and growth. In the spring of 2002, trees in the S + USR treatment exhibited the most negative predawn water potentials of all the treatments, indicating that the rapid early growth induced by USR accelerated the onset of intense intra-specific competition for water. The results of this study have implications for the establishment and management of Aleppo pine plantations on semiarid soils. Planting seedlings at low density and/or early thinning of pine stands are strongly recommended if fast tree growth is to be maintained beyond the first few years after USR addition to soil. Foliar C, O and N isotope measurements can provide much insight into how resource acquisition by trees is affected by afforestation techniques in pine plantations under dry climatic conditions.     

Models for estimation of carbon sequestered by Cupressus lusitanica plantation stands at Wondo Genet,Ethiopia

This study compared models for estimating carbon sequestered aboveground in Cupressus lusitanica plantation stands at Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Ethiopia. Relationships of carbon storage with tree component and stand age were also investigated. Thirty trees of three different ages (5, 12 and 24 years), comprising 10 trees from each stand, were sampled in order to generate dry biomass and carbon data from tree components. Five linear and non-linear biomass and carbon models were compared and evaluated for estimation of overall aboveground carbon, carbon by age groups, and carbon by diameter at breast height (DBH) classes using performance indicator statistics. Among the models compared, a carbon model described by Y = b ₀ D ² H + ? (p-value < 0.001), where D = DBH (in cm), H = total height of the tree (in m), ? = error, and b ₀ is a parameter, was found to be the best model for estimation of carbon sequestered aboveground in C. lusitanica plantation stands of the study area. The study also indicated the overall superiority of carbon models over biomass models in estimation of aboveground carbon of C. lusitanica. It was concluded that, for the range of DBH utilised in the current study, the carbon model described can be a useful tool in estimation of carbon storage of C. lusitanica plantations in the study area and other related sites.     

Root distribution of Eucalyptus grandis and Corymbia maculata in degraded saline soils of south-eastern Australia

Planting trees, in farm forestry enterprises, to control rising watertables is an increasing practice for both economic and environmental benefits. One central biophysical issue which determines the effectiveness of trees to control groundwater is the ability of trees to grow roots through degraded soils and take up groundwater. We investigated the effect of soil properties, especially the presence of shallow watertables and site preparation practice, on the vertical and horizontal distributions of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill and L.A.S. Johnson roots. In order to improve the reliability of root data, we measured root growth and distribution by three different methods – (i) number of roots intercepting the vertical plane of the soil profile, (ii) root length density in soil cores taken at different depths but in the horizontal plane of the profile, and (iii) root length density in soil cores in the vertical plane at different radial positions from trees and compared the results. Two experimental sites were established in flood-irrigated, farm forestry plantations on contrasting soils in the Murray Riverina region of south-eastern Australia. At one site (Norwood Park), we studied a 58-month-old stand of E. grandis growing in clay loam overlaying medium clay, saline, sodic and alkaline subsoil with a saline (11.5 dS m⁻¹) watertable at 2.8 m depth. Here, there were few roots growing above the watertable. The Karawatha site had adjacent stands of 46-month old E. grandis and C. maculata growing in a sandy, neutral and non-saline soil with a shallow (3.1 m deep) non-saline (2.8 dS m⁻¹) watertable. Here roots proliferated above the watertable in both species but to a much greater extent under C. maculata than under E. grandis. Root distributions in the surface soil were similar at all sites but differences in root growth in the capillary zones paralleled differences in groundwater uptake by trees. We conclude (i) that appropriate matching of species with site characteristics, especially soil and groundwater properties, will enhance tree growth and groundwater uptake and (ii) that extensive planting of C. maculata over non-saline watertables maximises the chances of achieving the multiple objectives of regional groundwater control, fast growth rates and reduced irrigation demand.     

Belowground competition in a broad-leaved temperate mixed forest: pattern analysis and experiments in a four-species stand

We investigated fine root biomass and distribution patterns in a species-rich temperate Carpinus–Quercus–Fagus–Tilia forest and searched for experimental evidence of symmetry or asymmetry in belowground competition. We conducted extensive root coring and applied the recently introduced in situ-root growth chamber technique for quantifying fine root growth under experimentally altered intra- and interspecific root neighbourhoods in the intact stand. In 75% of all soil cores, fine roots of more than two tree species were present indicating a broad overlap of the root systems of neighbouring trees. Quercus trees had more than ten times less fine root biomass in relation to aboveground biomass or productivity (stem growth) and a much higher leaf area index/root area index ratio than Carpinus, Fagus and Tilia trees. The root growth chamber experiments indicated a high belowground competitive ability of Fagus in interspecific interactions, but a low one of Quercus. We conclude that (1) interspecific root competition is ubiquitous in this mixed stand, (2) root competition between trees can be clearly asymmetric, and (3) tree species may be ranked according to their belowground competitive ability. Fagus was found to be the most successful species in belowground competition which matches with its superiority in aboveground competition in this forest community.     

Soil water dynamics in cropping systems containing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gliricidia sepium</Emphasis>, pigeonpea and maize in southern Malawi

The water dynamics of cropping systems containing mixtures of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp trees with maize (Zea mays L.) and/or pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) were examined during three consecutive cropping seasons. The trees were pruned before and during each cropping season, but were left unpruned after harvesting the maize; prunings were returned to the cropping area in all agroforestry systems to provide green leaf manure. The hypothesis was that regular severe pruning of the trees would minimise competition with crops for soil moisture and enhance their growth by providing additional nutrients. Neutron probe measurements were used to determine spatial and temporal changes in soil moisture content during the 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/00 cropping seasons for various cropping systems. These included gliricidia intercropped with maize, with and without pigeonpea, a maize + pigeonpea intercrop, sole maize, sole pigeonpea and sole gliricidia. Soil water content was measured to a depth of 150 cm in all treatments at 4–6 week intervals during the main cropping season and less frequently at other times. Competition for water was apparently not a critical factor in determining crop performance as rainfall exceeded potential evaporation during the cropping season in all years. The distribution of water in the soil profile was generally comparable in all cropping systems, implying there was no spatial complementarity in water abstraction by tree and crop roots. However, available soil water content at the beginning of the cropping season was generally lower in the tree-based systems, suggesting that the trees continued to deplete available soil water during the dry season. The results show that, under rainfall conditions typical of southern Malawi, the soil profile contains sufficient stored water during the dry season (ca. 75–125 mm) to support the growth of gliricidia and pigeonpea, and that gliricidia trees pruned before and during the cropping season did not deleteriously compete for water with associated crops. Water use efficiency also appeared to be higher in the tree-based systems than in the sole maize and maize + pigeonpea treatments, subject to the proviso that the calculations were based on changes in soil water content rather than absolute measurements of water uptake by the trees and crops.     

First report of Sphaeropsis canker on cypress in South Africa

In this study a Sphaeropsis sp. is recorded as causing cankers on cypress in South Africa. These cankers are either found alone or on trees which are infected with the well-known cypress canker pathogen, Seiridium unicorne. When the two fungi occurred together, lesions could not be distinguished from each other, although the greater number of lesions were caused by the Sphaeropsis sp. The fungus appears to be identical to that described as Sphaeropsis sapinea f.sp. cupressi, in Israel, which is a fungus very different from the pine pathogen, Sphaeropsis sapinea. Pathogenicity tests showed that the Sphaeropsis sp. is significantly more pathogenic to Cupressus lusitanica than to Pinus roxburgii and Pinus elliottii. S. sapinea was pathogenic only to the Pinus spp. tested, and not to C. lusitanica. In contrast, the cypress pathogen Seiridium unicorne, was pathogenic to C. lusitanica and also to the two Pinus spp. tested.     

Alley cropping and mulching withErythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O. F. Cook andGliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.: effects on maize/weed competition

The potential of allye cropping systems to sustain a high productivity with low external inputs and the reduction of maize/weed competition through weed suppression in different alley cropping and sole-cropped mulched systems was studied in Costa Rica at CATIE. Data were recorded eight years after establishment of the experiment. Plant residues ofErythrina poeppigiana trees (10 t/ha dry matter) planted at 6 by 3 m reduced weed biomass by 52%, whileGliricidia sepium trees (12 t/ha dry matter) planted at 6 by 0.5 m reduced weed biomass by 28%, in comparison to controls.Erythrina had a considerable impact on grass weeds, whileGliricidia reduced the incidence of some dicot weeds. Weed competition significantly reduced maize yield in all systems. Nevertheless weed suppression contributed to the higher maize grain yield underErythrina andGliricidia alley cropping of 3.8 t per hectare as opposed to the unmulched control yield of 2.0 t per hectare.