It requires researches on tree - crop interaction especially , for moisture and nutrients and management practices required for trees to lessen the competition with arable crops once the trees are mature .
Dear Dr. Tewari Sir,
Please have a look at this useful researchgate link and PDF attachments.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261835315_Belowground_interactions_in_tree_crop_agroforestry_-_need_for_a_new_approach
Regards
Chapter Belowground interactions in tree-crop agroforestry: Need for...
Sir,
There are different types of interactions between trees and crops in agroforestry. Usually these two components compete for moisture, nutrient, light and space.
Types of interactions
1. Complementary
2. Supplementary
3. Competitive
We need to choose those compatible components which are complimentary or supplementary in nature.
Arvind Sir has given some good literature. I would suggest you to refer the book " Tree Crop Interactions" by C K Ong.
http://www.cabi.org/bookshop/book/9781780645117
Let us consider the below ground interactions first, this is because the below ground interactions will translate to what will be the above the ground interactions. Firstly some trees exhibit phyto-toxicity reaction on crop plants around them. It has been established that certain trees exude some chemicals that react with the growth and performance of crops around them. This may be detrimental in nature, unlike few trees that have ability to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility. The interactions above the ground have been suggested by Uthappa to be:
1. Complementary
2. Supplementary
3. Competitive
Any of these can be verified and established by research activities.
Having worked in Hawaii the persistent powerful trade winds are daunting to Island agriculture. In Maui, the central valley has two volcanic features that funnel the winds into the valley. Under such conditions the use of windbreaks perpendicular to the direction of the trades is imperative. Taking the height of the trees and multiplying 10 times that height is the area in which winds can be reduced. When legume trees are used the upright non-spreading Wily Wily tree is the best option. The tree lines serve many purposes and provide Nitrogen but decreasing wind force is critical.
Dear Paul , I understand how wind breaks work as agroforestry system . My concern is what are the possible interactions both below ground and above ground , when trees and arable crops are grown simultaneously in in same land unit . What would be nature of interactions in time and space.Regards.
The interaction of the below ground interaction can be determined by using testing based on methodology from allelopathic research. Allelopathy means from the Greek roots mutual suffering but the reactions can be negative, positive or indifference and the work in this area is still in its infancy. Using a bed system where drainage water from one crop is used for another can be one simple way of looking at the interactions. Up to 20% of the crop photosynthate is exudated and this can have dramatic effects directly and through their interaction with soil microorganisms. Trees and crops are also interconnected with arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi. The mycorrhizal interactions can be highly beneficial. The combinations of crops with trees have infinite potential interactions based on the individual kind of interest. Complexity of these interactions are daunting in their number and kind.
This is a potential area of research. There are few international workers who have exclusively studied the below ground interactions. For eg.
Above and below ground interactions in agroforestry systems
C.K. Ong. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/037811279190205A
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