Tree-Crop Interactions: A Physiological Approach

Abstract

Agroforestry is rapidly being transformed from an empirical, largely anecdotal collection of beliefs and practices into an emerging science in the field of natural resource management. This book is a major contribution towards this goal, and is aimed at students, research workers and practitioners in agroforestry and applied plant physiology. The authors have applied principles of plant ecology and crop physiology to develop more precise approaches that quantify biological (tree-crop) interactions in agroforestry systems. The various models developed, particularly the tree-crop interactions equation, provide practical but rigorous approaches for both above- and below-ground processes. The book focuses on two basic resources: water and light. Tree-crop interactions for nutrients are not treated in depth as there are very few data on this subject. There are 10 chapters by various authors: (1) A framework for quantifying the various effects of tree-crop interactions (Ong, C. K.); (2) Mixed cropping of annuals and woody perennials: an analytical approach to productivity and management (Ranganathan, R.; Wit, C. T. de); (3) Mulch and shade model for optimum alley-cropping design depending on soil fertility (Noordwijk, M. van); (4) Principles of resource capture and utilization of light and water (Ong, C. K.; Black, C. R.; Marshall, F. M.; Corlett, J. E.); (5) Microclimatic modifications in agroforestry (Brenner, A. J.); (6) The water balance of mixed tree-crop systems (Wallace, J. S.); (7) Biological factors affecting form and function in woody-non-woody plant mixtures (Huxley, P.); (8) Tree-soil-crop interactions on slopes (Garrity, D. P.); (9) Root distribution of trees and crops: competition and/or complementarity (Noordwijk, M. van; Lawson, G.; Soumare, A.; Groot, J. J. R.; Hairiah,K.); and (10) Woody-non-woody plant mixtures: some afterthoughts.