Yield of maize and cowpea in an alley cropping system in relation to available light

摘要: Abstract Measurements of incident solar radiation were made in sequentially cropped maize ( Zea mays L.) and cowpea Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) planted between hedgerows shrubs an alley cropping pattern. The solar-radiation profile was examined its effect on crop yield determined. study involved four different species Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp, Alchornea cordifolia , Acioa barterii ), at two row spacings (2 4 m) fertilizer rates (F 1 =45-20-20 F 2 =90-40-40 kg N-P-K ha −1 ) applied to the only. periodically pruned, prunings added as mulch respective plots. control plots without hedgerows. There partial shading crops by despite periodic pruning shrubs. Incident measured height leaves subtending ear maize, just above canopy cowpea, decreased exponentially a function index defined ratio relative measurement H s − c distance D hedgerow adjacent row. A higher degree associated with faster growing Leucaena, and/or closer inter-hedgerow spacing resulted corresponding decreases yield. Larger amounts biomass production (> 5 t dry weight) found be significant yields owing increased particularly . Hedgerows organic residue from contributed overall improvement soil moisture retention.