Effect of Teak (Tectona Grandis) On the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays) at Different Inter-Crop Spacing
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Date
2010-07-20
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Abstract
The study presents landuse systems and technology where a woody perennial (Teak) was intercropped with maize in at different planting spacing. The trials were conducted under young Teak plantation in blocks of; (200 x 500m) at ages ;( 1 to 3yrs) at the village of Bosomkyekye, Ashanti Mampong.
The tree-crop interactions by biomass contribution and crop yield, soil were assessed under the different tree ages and intercrop spacing. Hence the objective for the study was to investigate the effect of Teak-Maize cultivation on soil mineral status and intercrop spacing which promotes greater crop growth and yield.
From the results soil analysis before and after the experimental trials across blocks of Teak stands did not show any remarkable difference in mineral status between blocks. Experimental results indicated that Teak age and intercrop spacing did not present any significant difference in treatment means in maize; height, leaf count, leaf area index and grain dry weight thus;( p≤0.05) at 2, 4 degrees of freedom. However, tables of means showed intercrop spacing; 40 x 150cm gave best crop biomass growth and dry grain yield.
Agroforestry has become a sustainable approach to community woodland and crop management. To gain wide scale rural adoption of practices, it may be worthwhile to further pursue research trials with aimed at promoting and providing useful information for community adoption for tree plantation and crop cultivation.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE in
AGROFORESTRY,
DEPARTMENT OF AGROFORESTRY.