Kakawate hedgerows for improved soil fertility and crop yield
1997
Tura, C. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cebu City (Philippines). Ecosystems Research and Development Sector)
Verification study mature technology of using leguminous species as hedgerows in agroforestry systems was conducted. The study site was in an upland farm which was planted to corn in Overland, Buenavista, Bohol [Philippines]. The soil in the area was deficient in macronutrients, moderately acidic with organic matter concentrated on the top soil equivalent to 1.5 percent decreasing downwards. The study established kakawate hedgerows in double or triple rows along the contour following a distance of 25 cm between rows and 30 cm between hills. Kakawate leaves and branches were chopped into small pieces then dried before spreading in the alleys. Herbage application for 3 years improved soil condition, increasing soil pH (from 5.6 to 6.8), percent organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and other macronutrients. Kakawate applied as organic fertilizer significantly improved crop yield. At an annual herbage application of 2,693 kg/ha for 3 years, corn intercropped with peanut had produced an average annual yield of 827 kg/ha (grain), while peanut intercropped had given an average annual yield of 620 kg/ha (unshelled). There was 91 percent yield increase for corn and 141 percent yield increase for peanut. Sweetpotato intercropped with bush sitao had produced an average annual yield of 1,903 kg of tuberous roots or a 240 percent increase and 2,903 kg of fresh pods/ha or 132 percent increase, respectively. Cost-and-return analysis showed that income remarkably increased. On the 2nd year of operation, a net income of P24,109.00 was realized. This increased to P52,009.00 on the 3rd year
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