Theme 18: Agro-Silvipastoral Systems
Description
The spatial variation in the vigour of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham) trees growing together with Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana cv. Katambora) in an alley cropping system made it possible to assess the competitive effect for light. The height and especially lateral development of trees had a strong influence on light interception by the canopy, with radiation in the intercrop area being 49% lower where the trees were more vigorous. There was a corresponding (43%) decrease in grass production. These findings indicate that future studies should also include aspects such as espacement of trees, pruning of trees in the growing season, choice of shade tolerant grasses and the competitive effect for water.
Included in
Competition for Light in a Leucaena leucocephala / Chloris gayana Silvopastoral System
The spatial variation in the vigour of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham) trees growing together with Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana cv. Katambora) in an alley cropping system made it possible to assess the competitive effect for light. The height and especially lateral development of trees had a strong influence on light interception by the canopy, with radiation in the intercrop area being 49% lower where the trees were more vigorous. There was a corresponding (43%) decrease in grass production. These findings indicate that future studies should also include aspects such as espacement of trees, pruning of trees in the growing season, choice of shade tolerant grasses and the competitive effect for water.
