Desmanthus as hedgerows in agroforestry cropping system
1997
Maalab, S.C. | Rosario, J.I. | Agustin, E.O. | Pastor, F.C. | Pablico, S.M. (Mariano Marcos State Univ., Batac, Ilocos Norte (Philippines))
Desmanthus virgatus hedgerows established at wider spacing were significantly taller and had larger stem diameter. The fresh biomass yield of the plants was not affected by plant density. However, lopping the hedgerows at 50 cm during the establishment period produced more biomass, than those cut higher than 50 cm above the ground. Succeeding observations confirmed that biomass was not critically affected by intra-row spacing. Although cutting the plants at a height of 50, 70, and 100 cm above the ground produced more or less the same amount of biomass, these management regimes did not critically affect grain yield of corn, rice, and mungbean. Continuous lopping every 45 days and use of the fresh biomass as mulch in alleys contributed to a noticeable increase in the amount of soil organic matter over a four-year period. The adaptability and high productivity of Desmanthus under very close or dense spacing as well as its long tap root and numerous secondary roots undoubtedly suggests its high potential for erosion control. Collectively, the four-year results clearly and strongly indicate that D. virgatus may very well be promoted as a hedgerow in the semi-arid hilly farms in the Ilocos Region [Philippines]. The plant can be established at an intra-row of 20 to 30 cm and lopped at a height of 50 to 100 cm above the ground without significantly reducing the grain yield of intercropped corn; mungbean, and rice. Desmanthus hedgerows can produce an average of 3.9 t/ha of fresh biomass every lopping period. It produces a long tap root and numerous secondary roots which are excellent characteristics of a hedgerow crop
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