Effects of Gliricidia sepium hedgerow number and pruning frequency on soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) performance in an alley cropping system
1994
Visco, R.G.
After the experiment, water holding capacity, pH, organic matter and exchangeable potassium content of soil increased significantly. In the plots without hedgerows, water holding capacity, pH, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium content of the soil decreased significantly after the experiment. Soil organic matter content also decreased after experiment but the change was not significant. Soil texture remained the same for the duration of the experiment. Maize yield did not differ significantly among treatments in both the first and second cropping season. However, significant variations in maize yield were observed at different row positions in the alley. The dry stover and shelled grain yield of maize was significantly higher in the row closest to the lower hedgerow base compared to the other rows in the alley. Maize row nearest to the upper hedgerow base had the lowest yield. The reduction in dry stover and grain yield of maize row nearest to the upper hedgerow relative to the row at the bottom of the alley were in the order of 48 percent and 55 percent, respectively. The herbage yield of the hedgerow species did not differ significantly in the single and double hedgerows. On the other hand, the total fresh herbage and dry matter yield of the hedgerow differed significantly with pruning frequency. The root biomass density of the hedgerow at the upper 30 cm layer of the soil was significantly affected by the number of hedgerow per contour line. Double hedgerows showed a higher concentration of fine roots (2 mm) than single hedgerows. The fine root density of the hedgerow species, however, exhibited a significant decline with increasing distance from the hedgerow base towards the alley
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