| Abstract: | Early growth of some woody shrubs used in alley cropping were studied in the Buberuka Highland and Central Plateau region of Rwanda. The altitudinal ranges for the two agroecological zones are 1800–2400 m and 1500–1900 m respectively. First, early growth of Sesbania sesban (Sesbania) as affected by intercropped bean, potato, pea and wheat was studied. Second, effect of lime and manure applications on growth of Sesbania, Leucaena sp (Leucaena), Calliandra Calothyrsus (Calliandra) and Markhamia lutea (Markhamia) was investigated. Third, growth of Sesbania and Leucaena at selected locations were examined. Bean grown in association with Sesbania enhanced the growth of the shrub in the Central Plateau region. At both sites, growth of Sesbania was retarded by intercropped pea. Growth of Sesbania increased significantly during the dry season in June and July. Biomass and height after one years' growth of Sesbania were higher in the Buberuka than in the Central Plateau region. Growth of the shrubs is ranked as: sesbania > Leucaena > Calliandra > Markhamia in the Buberuka Highlands. Farmyard manure generally increased the growth rates of the shrubs. Calliandra and Leucaena were most responsive to liming. The response of Leucaena to liming decreased with manure application but no definite trend was observed for Calliandra, Sesbania and Markhamia. Sesbania and Markhamia were least influenced by application of lime. Their respective LRI's were 0.35 and 0.46. The average growth rates for Sesbania and Leucaena at selected locations ranged between 26.4–62.2 cm/month and 13.1–27.4 cm per month respectively.Contribution from the University of Arkansas' USAID supported Farming Systems Research Program (FSRP) in Rwanda (USAID 696-0110), BP 625, Kigali Rwanda |
