Comparative evaluation of two farming systems in response to hedgerow treatment at Dinaig, Maguindanao [Philippines].

Results showed that within seven months, kaingin plots treated with hedgerows had a high rate of surface run-off of 55.25 L/sq m while agroforestry plots had a lower surface run-off of 30.30 L/sq m. As for sediment load, kaingin plot had more losses (22.04 g/sq m) as compared to agroforestry (12.24 g/sq m) plots. The total nitrogen content for kaingin plots was 0.18 percent and 0.32 percent for agroforestry. Available phosphorus was 2.43 ppm for kaingin and 1.89 ppm for agroforestry. As for exchangeable potassium, losses from kaingin were 0.26 me/100 g and 0.20 me/100 g for agroforestry. As for exchangeable potassium, losses from kaingin were 0.26 me/100 g and 0.20 me/100 g for agroforestry. As for organic matter, treatment mean was 3.48 percent for kaingin and 3.81 percent for agroforestry. Soil pH was not affected by the farming system practices. Hedgerows treatment significantly minimized the effects on surface run-off and sediment load; increased content of NPK and OM; but did not have any effect on soil pH. Interaction effects of kaingin and agroforestry practices with and without hedgerows interactions have significant effects on surface run-off, sediment load, exchangeable K, and OM, but not on total N, available P and soil pH. On the production aspect, the three treatment blocks were planted each with corn, peanuts and mungo for two cropping seasons only. Each block has four treatment plots. The crop yields in plots without hedgerow were lower than in the with hedgerow plots. Considering that all inputs were assumed to be hired, the net returns (revenue) during the observation period from all the treatment plots were negative. Higher negative net returns were observed in the hedgerow plots due to the initial cost of hedgerow establisment. Eventually, net returns from hedgerow treatments could become positive as yields will increase in future croppings and cost of production will decrease since there will be no more cost in establishing hedgerows.