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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Tree and crop productivity in Grevillea, Alnus and Paulownia-based agroforestry systems in semi-arid Kenya
Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 212, No. 1-3, Year 2005
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Description
This study tested the hypothesis that deciduous (Paulownia fortunei) (Hemsl.) and semi-deciduous (Alnus acuminata (HBK)) trees are less competitive with crops than evergreen species (Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn.)) due to their differing leafing phenology. Tree growth, seasonal patterns of leaf flushing and fall and effects on associated maize crops were examined. P. fortunei and A. acuminata established well at two experimental sites (Naro Moru and Thika), and basal stem diameter, diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height were comparable to G. robusta. P. fortunei was leafless for approximately three months during the annual cycle, partly during the cropping season, providing potential benefits for associated crops. A. acuminata shed some leaves during the dry season in August and September, while G. robusta was evergreen. The presence of trees affected maize growth and yield 2.5 years after planting to an extent which depended on tree species and location. A positive interaction between A. acuminata and maize was apparent at Thika, but growth was suppressed in the first two crop rows at Naro Moru. G. robusta reduced maize yield by 36% close to the tree rows at Thika, whereas yield reductions were negligible adjacent to P. fortunei. These findings suggest there was some complementarity of resource use between A. acuminata and maize at Thika, and neutral or competitive interactions between trees and crops in all other treatments. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Muthuri, Catherine
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Ong, Chin K.
Kenya, Nairobi
World Agroforestry Centre
Black, Colin Ramsay
United Kingdom, Nottingham
University of Nottingham
Ngumi, Victoria Wambui
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Mati, Bancy Mbura
Kenya, Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Statistics
Citations: 93
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.foreco.2005.02.059
ISSN:
03781127
Study Locations
Kenya