Cropping
Schemes
for Agroforestry
In contrast to pure agriculture,
agroforestry involves a complex of diversified farming systems
as it seeks to combine the growing of agricultural and forestry
crops in one area. In any cropping scheme, a balance is always
struck between the productive and protective functions of the
resulting ecosystem.
A desirable agroforestry cropping
scheme, therefore, is one that gives good yield while conserving
both soil and water. The crops mixed in the scheme have to be
compatible with each other. A working knowledge of the optimum
environmental requirements of the crop mix is therefore necessary.
These include soil nutrient, light, moisture, temperature, and
relative humidity. Spatial arrangement of the plant canopies and
root systems must be considered to minimize competition for nutrients,
light and space. This necessitates familiarity with the rooting
behavior, height, branching habit and crown form of the plants
mixed.
To maximize use of space, interplanting
shade resistant crops is recommended. Crop mixtures which biologically
repel pests and diseases are best. For example, combined crops
must not be alternate hosts of pests or disease causing organisms
mutually destructive to the crops planted.
Where animal components are incorporated,
the plant component should serve as source of food and shelter
for the animals. On the other hand, the presence of animals should
not be destructive to the plant, soil, and other components of
this particular ecosystem.
The agroforestry schemes presented
in the section have been developed either from research, development
projects, or farmers' fields. They are recommended only in other
areas with similar conditions as those in the area where the schemes
were developed.
Source:
The Committee for Agroforestry, 1986. The Philippines Recommends
for Agroforestry,
PCARRD, Laguna, 90p.
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