Influence of alleycropping environment on the performance of groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) and sesame (sesamum indicum l.) crops in semi-desert region of Northern Sudan
2007
Shapo, H.E., Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad medani (Sudan) | Osman, A.K., Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad Medani (Sudan) | Ibrahim, S.E., Agricultural Research Corporation, Wad medani (Sudan)
An alley cropping system was established at Hudieba Research Station (17.57 N and 33.8 E) on a sandy soil of the semi-desert region of northern Sudan. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of modified microclimate in 6-m wide alleys formed by Acacia ampliceps and Acacia stenophylla on growth and yield of groundnut and sesame. Above-ground interactions were determined by installing small weather stations for monitoring various environmental factors. Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar energy and shade length and behaviour were measured throughout the growing season. Groundnut and sesame crops were evaluated for growth and yield performance by laying out sample plots at southern, central and northern part of the alleys and at control plots. Due to microclimatic modifications in the alleys, the yield of both crops in the alleys significantly (p=0.01) exceeded that of the sole crop in both 1999 and 2000 seasons. Yield reduction at northern alley was fully compensated by high yield increase at southern and central alleys. The yield of groundnut increased by 37.7 and 19.6 % in the A.stenophylla and A.ampliceps alleys in 1999, respectively. On the other hand, the yield of sesame increased with the stenophylla-alley (+40.3%), while it decreased with ampliceps-alley (-51.5%). During 2000, A.stenophylla alley increased the yield of both, groundnut and sesame by 27.2% and 22.8%, respectively. The results indicated that the competition for light was the major factor contributing to the increase or reduction of growth and yield of groundnut and sesame crops. The A. stenophylla tree was recommended for use in agroforestry systems in the semi-desert region of northern Sudan. This is because of its superiority in optimizing radiation as it posseses an open canopy. In addition to its low underground competition with the companion crop due to its deeper roots. Although, A.ampliceps is not recommended for sesame production but it is highly recommended for groundnut production
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