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J. N. Ndi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Performance of a maize/cassava intercrop in tilled and no-till Senna spectabilis Alley Cropping on an Ultisol in southern Cameroon.
Agroforestry Systems, 2000Co-Authors: Stefan Hauser, J. N. Ndi, Nilantha HulugalleAbstract:An intercrop of maize and cassava was cultivated for six consecutive years from 1990/91 to 1995/96. This paper reports on crop performance from the fourth to the sixth year in Alley Cropping with Senna spectabilis and in a no-tree control, with and without tillage. Maize grain yield increased significantly from 1993 to 1994 (P = 0.0032) and from 1994 to 1995 (P = 0.019). Tillage only had a significantly positive effect on maize grain yield in 1993. Alley Cropping had no significant effect on maize grain yield in any year. Cassava root yield was neither affected by tillage nor by Alley Cropping in any year. Neither the cumulative yields over the three years nor the sum of maize grain and cassava root yield were significantly affected by Alley Cropping or tillage. No significant interactions were found between Cropping system and tillage system.
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Changes in soil properties of a newly-cleared Ultisol due to establishment of hedgerow species in Alley Cropping systems
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 1994Co-Authors: Nilantha Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:This study was initiated to evaluate the short-term ( Senna spectabilis ), Flemingia ( Flemingia congesta )and Acioa ( Acioa barterii ). A non-Alley-cropped control was also included in the trial. The greatest quantities of prunings, and hence, mulch were produced by Senna and Flemingia. Exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration were greatly increased in the Alleys of plots where either Flemingia or Senna had been planted within 2·5 years of hedgerow establishment. The large amounts of mulch produced by Senna and Flemingia did, however, result in soil temperatures greater than those of the control or Acioa plots c. 1 year after application of the prunings as mulch. Root growth of Senna in the subsoil was significantly greater than that of either Acioa of Flemingia, but that of cassava was reduced by Alley Cropping with all three hedgerow species. Compared to the control or Alley Cropping with Acioa, maize and cassava yields were greater when Alley cropped with either Flemingia or Senna hedgerows.
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Changes in soil properties of a newly-cleared Ultisol due to establishment of hedgerow species in Alley Cropping systems
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 1994Co-Authors: N. R. Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:SUMMARYThis study was initiated to evaluate the short-term (< 3 years) ability of some selected acid-soil adapted hedgerow species when planted in Alley Cropping systems to improve soil properties in a newly-cleared Ultisol (Typic Kandiudult) of southern Cameroon, 1990–92. The hedgerow species selected were Senna (Senna spectabilis), Flemingia (Flemingia congesta)and Acioa (Acioa barterii). A non-Alley-cropped control was also included in the trial. The greatest quantities of prunings, and hence, mulch were produced by Senna and Flemingia. Exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration were greatly increased in the Alleys of plots where either Flemingia or Senna had been planted within 2·5 years of hedgerow establishment. The large amounts of mulch produced by Senna and Flemingia did, however, result in soil temperatures greater than those of the control or Acioa plotsc.1 year after application of the prunings as mulch. Root growth of Senna in the subsoil was significantly greater than that of either Acioa of Flemingia, but that of cassava was reduced by Alley Cropping with all three hedgerow species. Compared to the control or Alley Cropping with Acioa, maize and cassava yields were greater when Alley cropped with either Flemingia or Senna hedgerows.
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Effects of no-tillage and Alley Cropping on soil properties and crop yields in a Typic Kandiudult of southern Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 1993Co-Authors: N. R. Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:The effects of no-tillage and Alley Cropping with Cassia 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 with C. 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 of C. 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.
B. T. Kang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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longterm Alley Cropping with four hedgerow species on an alfisol in southwestern nigeria effect on crop performance soil chemical properties and nematode population
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 1999Co-Authors: B. T. Kang, F. E. Caveness, G Tian, G O KolawoleAbstract:A longterm Alley Cropping trial was undertaken on an eroded Oxic paleustalf in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwestern Nigeria from 1981–1993. Two nitrogen fixing hedgerow species (Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala) and two non legume hedgerow species (Alchornea cordifolia and Dactyladenia barteri) were used in the trial compared to a control (with no hedgerow) treatment. Plots were sequentially cropped with maize (main season) followed by cowpea (minor season). With 4 m interhedgerow spacing and pruning at 0.75 m height, the mean annual pruning biomass yields were observed in the following order: Leucaena (7.1 t ha-1 ) > Gliricidia (4.9 t ha-1 ) > Alchornea (3.7 t ha-1) > Dactyladenia (3.0 t ha-1 ). Alley Cropping with the four woody species greatly enhanced the total plot (woody species + crop) biomass yield/ha as follows; Leucaena (21.8 t ha-1) > Gliricidia (17.7 t ha-1) > Alchornea (11.7 t ha-1) > Dactyladenia (9.5 t ha-1). Total biomass yield of crops in control plot was 5.3 t ha-1. Higher biomass yields with Alley Cropping also increased nutrient yield and cycling. Gliricidia and Leucaena showed higher nutrient yields than Alchornea and Dactyladenia. Alley Cropping with Gliricidia and Leucaena could sustain maize yield at moderate level (>2 t ha-1), which would require a N-rate of 45 kg N ha-1 with sole Cropping. Application of N in Gliricidia and Leucaena Alley Cropping still improved maize yield. Higher nitrogen rates are required for Alley Cropping with Alchornea and Dactyladenia hedgerows. A low rate of phosphorus application is needed for sustaining crop yields with all treatments. Occasional tillage is recommended to increase maize yield. Alley Cropping and tillage showed little effect on cowpea seed yield. Surface soil properties declined with time with continuous cultivation. Alley Cropping with woody species maintained higher soil organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium levels. Plots Alley cropped with Gliricidia and Leucaena showed lower pH and extractable calcium level. Leucaena Alley cropped plot also showed lower magnesium level. The decline in soil pH and extractable cations may be due to increased cation leaching with application of high rates of Gliricidia and Leucaena prunings. Alley Cropping with the four woody species showed no effect on population of parasitic nematodes.
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Alley Cropping soil productivity and nutrient recycling
Forest Ecology and Management, 1997Co-Authors: B. T. KangAbstract:Abstract In the past few decades there has been growing concern about the exhaustibility of non-renewable soil resources in developing countries in the tropics to meet the needs of present and future generations. Land degradation is a major problem in many parts of the tropics, including subSaharan Africa, mainly owing to overexploitation of vegetation and soil resources and adoption of inappropiate farming methods. The challenge is to increase the sustainable agricultural productivity of the land with acceptable inputs to meet increasing human needs, while maintaining the soil resource base and minimising environmental degradation. One technology that can meet this need for rainfed upland farming with low external chemical inputs is the Alley Cropping system. This technology integrates trees and shrubs in spatial zonal arrangements with food crops in the production system. The presence of woody species in the Alley Cropping production system has been shown to contribute to (1) nutrient recycling, (2) reduction in soil nutrient leaching losses, (3) stimulation of higher soil faunal activities, (4) soil erosion control, (5) soil fertility improvement and (6) sustained levels of crop production. These experiences can be utilised in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly agroforestry systems.
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Alley Cropping—soil productivity and nutrient recycling
Forest Ecology and Management, 1997Co-Authors: B. T. KangAbstract:Abstract In the past few decades there has been growing concern about the exhaustibility of non-renewable soil resources in developing countries in the tropics to meet the needs of present and future generations. Land degradation is a major problem in many parts of the tropics, including subSaharan Africa, mainly owing to overexploitation of vegetation and soil resources and adoption of inappropiate farming methods. The challenge is to increase the sustainable agricultural productivity of the land with acceptable inputs to meet increasing human needs, while maintaining the soil resource base and minimising environmental degradation. One technology that can meet this need for rainfed upland farming with low external chemical inputs is the Alley Cropping system. This technology integrates trees and shrubs in spatial zonal arrangements with food crops in the production system. The presence of woody species in the Alley Cropping production system has been shown to contribute to (1) nutrient recycling, (2) reduction in soil nutrient leaching losses, (3) stimulation of higher soil faunal activities, (4) soil erosion control, (5) soil fertility improvement and (6) sustained levels of crop production. These experiences can be utilised in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly agroforestry systems.
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Alley Cropping: past achievements and future directions
Agroforestry Systems, 1993Co-Authors: B. T. KangAbstract:There is a need to develop viable farming systems for tropical uplands dominated by low-activity clay soils; such systems should ensure sustained crop production while protecting the soil resource base. Alley Cropping has the potential to meet this need. For over a decade, the Alley Cropping technique has been tested, with varying results, in various agroecological zones. Results obtained thus far show that the best potential is on the high base-status soil in the humid and subhumid zones, and that crop production can be sustained in this ecozone with low chemical inputs. Further research is needed for other ecozones, particularly with inclusion of better adapted or indigenous hedgerow species. The potential and limitations of the Alley Cropping technique are highlighted and areas of future research discussed.
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Effect of Alley Cropping with Leucaena leucocephala and fertilizer application on yield of vegetable crops
Agroforestry Systems, 1992Co-Authors: M. C. Palada, B. T. Kang, S. L. ClaassenAbstract: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.
N. R. Hulugalle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Changes in soil properties of a newly-cleared Ultisol due to establishment of hedgerow species in Alley Cropping systems
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 1994Co-Authors: N. R. Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:SUMMARYThis study was initiated to evaluate the short-term (< 3 years) ability of some selected acid-soil adapted hedgerow species when planted in Alley Cropping systems to improve soil properties in a newly-cleared Ultisol (Typic Kandiudult) of southern Cameroon, 1990–92. The hedgerow species selected were Senna (Senna spectabilis), Flemingia (Flemingia congesta)and Acioa (Acioa barterii). A non-Alley-cropped control was also included in the trial. The greatest quantities of prunings, and hence, mulch were produced by Senna and Flemingia. Exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration were greatly increased in the Alleys of plots where either Flemingia or Senna had been planted within 2·5 years of hedgerow establishment. The large amounts of mulch produced by Senna and Flemingia did, however, result in soil temperatures greater than those of the control or Acioa plotsc.1 year after application of the prunings as mulch. Root growth of Senna in the subsoil was significantly greater than that of either Acioa of Flemingia, but that of cassava was reduced by Alley Cropping with all three hedgerow species. Compared to the control or Alley Cropping with Acioa, maize and cassava yields were greater when Alley cropped with either Flemingia or Senna hedgerows.
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Effects of no-tillage and Alley Cropping on soil properties and crop yields in a Typic Kandiudult of southern Cameroon
Agroforestry Systems, 1993Co-Authors: N. R. Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:The effects of no-tillage and Alley Cropping with Cassia 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 with C. 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 of C. 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.
Nilantha Hulugalle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Performance of a maize/cassava intercrop in tilled and no-till Senna spectabilis Alley Cropping on an Ultisol in southern Cameroon.
Agroforestry Systems, 2000Co-Authors: Stefan Hauser, J. N. Ndi, Nilantha HulugalleAbstract:An intercrop of maize and cassava was cultivated for six consecutive years from 1990/91 to 1995/96. This paper reports on crop performance from the fourth to the sixth year in Alley Cropping with Senna spectabilis and in a no-tree control, with and without tillage. Maize grain yield increased significantly from 1993 to 1994 (P = 0.0032) and from 1994 to 1995 (P = 0.019). Tillage only had a significantly positive effect on maize grain yield in 1993. Alley Cropping had no significant effect on maize grain yield in any year. Cassava root yield was neither affected by tillage nor by Alley Cropping in any year. Neither the cumulative yields over the three years nor the sum of maize grain and cassava root yield were significantly affected by Alley Cropping or tillage. No significant interactions were found between Cropping system and tillage system.
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Changes in soil properties of a newly-cleared Ultisol due to establishment of hedgerow species in Alley Cropping systems
The Journal of Agricultural Science, 1994Co-Authors: Nilantha Hulugalle, J. N. NdiAbstract:This study was initiated to evaluate the short-term ( Senna spectabilis ), Flemingia ( Flemingia congesta )and Acioa ( Acioa barterii ). A non-Alley-cropped control was also included in the trial. The greatest quantities of prunings, and hence, mulch were produced by Senna and Flemingia. Exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration were greatly increased in the Alleys of plots where either Flemingia or Senna had been planted within 2·5 years of hedgerow establishment. The large amounts of mulch produced by Senna and Flemingia did, however, result in soil temperatures greater than those of the control or Acioa plots c. 1 year after application of the prunings as mulch. Root growth of Senna in the subsoil was significantly greater than that of either Acioa of Flemingia, but that of cassava was reduced by Alley Cropping with all three hedgerow species. Compared to the control or Alley Cropping with Acioa, maize and cassava yields were greater when Alley cropped with either Flemingia or Senna hedgerows.
G O Kolawole - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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longterm Alley Cropping with four hedgerow species on an alfisol in southwestern nigeria effect on crop performance soil chemical properties and nematode population
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 1999Co-Authors: B. T. Kang, F. E. Caveness, G Tian, G O KolawoleAbstract:A longterm Alley Cropping trial was undertaken on an eroded Oxic paleustalf in the forest-savanna transition zone of southwestern Nigeria from 1981–1993. Two nitrogen fixing hedgerow species (Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala) and two non legume hedgerow species (Alchornea cordifolia and Dactyladenia barteri) were used in the trial compared to a control (with no hedgerow) treatment. Plots were sequentially cropped with maize (main season) followed by cowpea (minor season). With 4 m interhedgerow spacing and pruning at 0.75 m height, the mean annual pruning biomass yields were observed in the following order: Leucaena (7.1 t ha-1 ) > Gliricidia (4.9 t ha-1 ) > Alchornea (3.7 t ha-1) > Dactyladenia (3.0 t ha-1 ). Alley Cropping with the four woody species greatly enhanced the total plot (woody species + crop) biomass yield/ha as follows; Leucaena (21.8 t ha-1) > Gliricidia (17.7 t ha-1) > Alchornea (11.7 t ha-1) > Dactyladenia (9.5 t ha-1). Total biomass yield of crops in control plot was 5.3 t ha-1. Higher biomass yields with Alley Cropping also increased nutrient yield and cycling. Gliricidia and Leucaena showed higher nutrient yields than Alchornea and Dactyladenia. Alley Cropping with Gliricidia and Leucaena could sustain maize yield at moderate level (>2 t ha-1), which would require a N-rate of 45 kg N ha-1 with sole Cropping. Application of N in Gliricidia and Leucaena Alley Cropping still improved maize yield. Higher nitrogen rates are required for Alley Cropping with Alchornea and Dactyladenia hedgerows. A low rate of phosphorus application is needed for sustaining crop yields with all treatments. Occasional tillage is recommended to increase maize yield. Alley Cropping and tillage showed little effect on cowpea seed yield. Surface soil properties declined with time with continuous cultivation. Alley Cropping with woody species maintained higher soil organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium levels. Plots Alley cropped with Gliricidia and Leucaena showed lower pH and extractable calcium level. Leucaena Alley cropped plot also showed lower magnesium level. The decline in soil pH and extractable cations may be due to increased cation leaching with application of high rates of Gliricidia and Leucaena prunings. Alley Cropping with the four woody species showed no effect on population of parasitic nematodes.