Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alley cropping system'

Efficient use of irrigation and nutrients are becoming increasingly important in commercial orchards in the Hawkesbury area. Proper irrigation scheduling practices can help in the better use of irrigation water and reduce environmental impacts. Field experiments were conducted during February 1999 to June 2000 to understand soil-water use, and to evaluate farmer’s irrigation practice under an alley cropping system consisting of turf and stone fruits. The study was carried out at Atlas Farm, 3.5 km from the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury campus. The experimental site is a floodplain of the Hawkesbury River. The river flows within 1 km of the farm boundaries. The study was conducted under the farmer’s existing irrigation water and nutrient management practices. The main aims of the thesis were to study the movement and redistribution of soil-water and soil-moisture dynamics in the turf and stone fruit alley cropping system and to understand deep percolation losses and nitrogen leaching using the water balance approach. The study indicated that drainage occurred mainly after heavy rainfall and when there was rainfall for a few consecutive days. Thus irrigation application should be delayed if there is a likelihood of rain in a few consecutive days to prevent loss of water due to deep drainage. Furthermore, the study showed irrigation scheduling was essential to reduce nitrate leaching in the field; that irrigation depths should be varied according to the stage of crop growth, and the proper timing of irrigation application could help reduce deep percolation and runoff losses.
Master of Science (Hons) (Agriculture)

The components of soil CO2 efflux are affected by many soil properties including temperature, moisture, microbial abundance and activity, and other soil physical and chemical properties. Changes in these factors can result in high spatial and temporal variability of total soil CO2 efflux. Low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), microbial biomass and activity were measured to evaluate the impact of intercropping switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation. Surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected on the bed (PSG-B), interbed (PSG-I) and edge (PSG-E) of pine-switchgrass intercropped treatments, as well as pine only (P-B) and switchgrass only (SG-I) treatments. Differences in most soil properties and processes of intercropped treatments were sporadic and most did not show clear trends. However, significant correlations between DOC, soil temperature, oxalic and acetic acids and soil CO2 efflux were present. In an multiple regression model these factors explained 57% of the variance in total soil CO2 efflux. Therefore we think that LMWOAs, as a labile component of DOC, are influencing total CO2 efflux because they are being consumed by microbial community, increasing heterotrophic respiration and as a result overall total CO2 efflux. The amount and distribution of labile C controls microbial community dynamics, heterotrophic respiration as well as the stabilization of soil C.
Master of Science

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico do Maranhão (FAPEMA)
Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: (i) avaliar a sustentabilidade do agrossistema de plantio direto na palha com leguminosas cultivadas em aléias, por meio de seu efeito sobre os indicadores qualitativos químicos e físicos de um Argissolo do trópico úmido; (ii) identificar como a combinação de resíduos de leguminosas de diferentes qualidades interferem nos indicadores de sustentabilidade do uso do solo, por meio das produtividades do arroz e do milho. Foram avaliadas duas espécies de leguminosas de alta qualidade de resíduos - Leucaena leucocephala (leucena) e Cajanus cajan (guandu), e duas espécies de baixa qualidade de resíduos - Clitoria fairchildiana (sombreiro) e Acacia mangium (acácia), combinadas entre si, nos seguintes tratamentos: Sombreiro + Guandu (S+G); Leucena + Guandu (L+G); Acácia + Guandu (A+G); Sombreiro + Leucena (S+L); Leucena + Acácia (L+A) e Testemunha, sem leguminosas. Concluiu-se que o sistema de plantio direto na palha com leguminosas cultivadas em aléias pode ser considerado alternativa de uso sustentável do solo nas condições de regime pluviométrico e nos ARGISSOLOS arênicos, por sua capacidade de reciclar nutrientes e melhorar os indicadores de qualidade do solo ao longo do tempo. Os principais indicadores influenciados pelo sistema são: a capacidade de aeração, as quantidades de N adicionadas ao solo via resíduos de leguminosas e o tamponamento dos teores de Ca na zona radicular que resultam na melhoria na qualidade do solo, com reflexos notáveis no aumento da produtividade do milho. A combinação acácia+leucena apresenta, além da precocidade, grande eficiência na cobertura do solo e na reciclagem de nutrientes, mas o uso do sombreiro, como fornecedora de resíduo de baixa qualidade, por sua facilidade de 2 implantação, não pode ser descartado. A incapacidade do sistema em aumentar a retenção do K e Mg na zona radicular...
The present study was carried out focused in the following subjects: (i) Evaluation of no tillage agriculture sustainability over green manure straws in alley system throughout of its effects on the soil s chemical and physical qualitative parameters; (ii) Identification of what and how different green manure residues combine each other to improve the rice and corn crops in sustainability alleys system way. Two green manure species with high residues and other two with low quality had been evaluated: Leucaena leucocephala and Cajanus cajan, and Clitoria fairchildiana and Acacia mangium respectively. A combination between these green manures were made as the treatments: Clitoria + Cajanus (S+G); Leucaena + Cajanus (L+G); Acacia + Cajanus (A+G); Clitoria + Leucaena (S+L); Leucaena + Acacia (L+A) and the control treatment with no green manure. It was concluded that the no tillage soil management using green manure straws in alleys systems could be an alternative as a sustainable way to the crop productions, considering the environments and soil conditions. It was observed that the soil where the trial was carried out has the capacity to recycle nutrients and improve the quality parameters throughout the management used as far. It was observed also that the mainly parameters as aeration capacity, nitrogen range added by the green manure of leguminous species residues, and the Ca++ content in the rizosphere environment were the factors that improve the soil physical and chemical quality, with higher corn crop productivities. The Leucaena + Acacia combination has shown precocious behavior and more efficiency to cover the soil and to recycle nutrients. The Clitoria residues, even as a low quality green manure, could be na option for implanting a alley system because it is easier to 4 management. It was observed that the studied system has no capacity of K+ and Mg++ retain... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below)

Resumo: Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: (i) avaliar a sustentabilidade do agrossistema de plantio direto na palha com leguminosas cultivadas em aléias, por meio de seu efeito sobre os indicadores qualitativos químicos e físicos de um Argissolo do trópico úmido; (ii) identificar como a combinação de resíduos de leguminosas de diferentes qualidades interferem nos indicadores de sustentabilidade do uso do solo, por meio das produtividades do arroz e do milho. Foram avaliadas duas espécies de leguminosas de alta qualidade de resíduos - Leucaena leucocephala (leucena) e Cajanus cajan (guandu), e duas espécies de baixa qualidade de resíduos - Clitoria fairchildiana (sombreiro) e Acacia mangium (acácia), combinadas entre si, nos seguintes tratamentos: Sombreiro + Guandu (S+G); Leucena + Guandu (L+G); Acácia + Guandu (A+G); Sombreiro + Leucena (S+L); Leucena + Acácia (L+A) e Testemunha, sem leguminosas. Concluiu-se que o sistema de plantio direto na palha com leguminosas cultivadas em aléias pode ser considerado alternativa de uso sustentável do solo nas condições de regime pluviométrico e nos ARGISSOLOS arênicos, por sua capacidade de reciclar nutrientes e melhorar os indicadores de qualidade do solo ao longo do tempo. Os principais indicadores influenciados pelo sistema são: a capacidade de aeração, as quantidades de N adicionadas ao solo via resíduos de leguminosas e o tamponamento dos teores de Ca na zona radicular que resultam na melhoria na qualidade do solo, com reflexos notáveis no aumento da produtividade do milho. A combinação acácia+leucena apresenta, além da precocidade, grande eficiência na cobertura do solo e na reciclagem de nutrientes, mas o uso do sombreiro, como fornecedora de resíduo de baixa qualidade, por sua facilidade de 2 implantação, não pode ser descartado. A incapacidade do sistema em aumentar a retenção do K e Mg na zona radicular... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The present study was carried out focused in the following subjects: (i) Evaluation of no tillage agriculture sustainability over green manure straws in alley system throughout of its effects on the soil’s chemical and physical qualitative parameters; (ii) Identification of what and how different green manure residues combine each other to improve the rice and corn crops in sustainability alleys system way. Two green manure species with high residues and other two with low quality had been evaluated: Leucaena leucocephala and Cajanus cajan, and Clitoria fairchildiana and Acacia mangium respectively. A combination between these green manures were made as the treatments: Clitoria + Cajanus (S+G); Leucaena + Cajanus (L+G); Acacia + Cajanus (A+G); Clitoria + Leucaena (S+L); Leucaena + Acacia (L+A) and the control treatment with no green manure. It was concluded that the no tillage soil management using green manure straws in alleys systems could be an alternative as a sustainable way to the crop productions, considering the environments and soil conditions. It was observed that the soil where the trial was carried out has the capacity to recycle nutrients and improve the quality parameters throughout the management used as far. It was observed also that the mainly parameters as aeration capacity, nitrogen range added by the green manure of leguminous species residues, and the Ca++ content in the rizosphere environment were the factors that improve the soil physical and chemical quality, with higher corn crop productivities. The Leucaena + Acacia combination has shown precocious behavior and more efficiency to cover the soil and to recycle nutrients. The Clitoria residues, even as a low quality green manure, could be na option for implanting a alley system because it is easier to 4 management. It was observed that the studied system has no capacity of K+ and Mg++ retain... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below)
Orientador: Silvio José Bicudo
Coorientador: Emanoel Gomes de Moura
Banca: Dirceu Maximino Fernandes
Banca: Iraê Amaral Guerrini
Banca: Edmilson José Ambrosano
Banca: Ricardo Augusto Dias Kanthack
Doutor

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Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos
Sugarcane plantations are increasing in Brazil motivated by the demand of the sugar industry and the energetic sector. Sugarcane monocultures simplify the landscape and disconnect natural ecosystems. The inclusion of native trees in the canebrake, changing the matrices into an alley cropping system, is a new proposal that consider the environment beyond production. In order to assess the environmental effects in agroforestry was raised sugarcane productivity and development of trees in three crops (2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12), as well as the timber volume and carbon sequestration produced by the system at the end of the year 2012 and a bird survey during 2011 and 2012 in an experimental area of 1,957 hectares. Was found orderly development of tree species. Schizolobium parahyba present a significant mortality, but had the largest wood production thus coming to the same conclusion in relation to carbon sequestration, which are 3 times those of the Handroanthus spp. and 2 times the Cedrela fissilis. There was no change in the sugarcane productivity related to the distance line planting was the alley, with only a drop productivity in the range of 58 m cultivation. Birds are important bioindicators; trees contributed to the increased diversity of birds, being Schizolobium parahyba the arboreal species of most relevant importance. The spacing between alleys with the greatest diversity of birds was to 29 m. It is concluded that it is technically possible deployment agroecosystem proposed, without agronomic production damage of cane sugar; the 2 smaller bands cultivation (29 m and 43.5 m) are the most suitable; among tree species Schizolobium parahyba was the one with the best results in the short term, since the issue of mortality could be remedied with proper management or replanting.
O plantio de cana-de-açúcar está em franca expansão no Brasil motivado pela demanda do setor sucroenergético. Os canaviais em matrizes monoculturais simplificam a paisagem e desconectam ecossistemas naturais. A inserção de aleias com árvores nativas em canavial é uma nova proposta que contempla o ambiente além da produção. Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos ambientais e a produtividade agrossilvicultural nesse sistema agroflorestal, foram levantados em uma área experimental de 1,957 hectares, o rendimento da cana-de-açúcar e o desenvolvimento das árvores constituintes das aleias em 3 safras (2009/10, 2010/11 e 2011/12); bem como o volume de madeira produzido e a fixação de carbono pelo sistema ao final do ano de 2012; e a dinâmica da avifauna durante os anos de 2011 e 2012. Constatou-se um desenvolvimento regular das espécies arbóreas, observando grande taxa de mortalidade do guapuruvu (60%). Foi possível constatar a maior produção de madeira pelo guapuruvu, consequentemente chegando aos mesmos resultados em relação à fixação de carbono, sendo estes 3 vezes superiores aos do ipê e 2 vezes ao cedro. A produtividade da cana não esteve relacionada com a distância entre a linha de plantio e a aleia, apresentando queda apenas na faixa de cultivo de 58 m. A avifauna foi considerada um bioindicador consistente; o guapuruvu foi a espécie florestal com maior importância para o aumento da diversidade de aves e o espaçamento entre aleias com a maior riqueza foi o de 29 m. Conclui-se que é tecnicamente possível a implantação do agrossistema proposto, sem prejuízo agronômico da produção da cana-de-açúcar, sendo as 2 menores faixas de cultivo (29 e 43,5 m) as mais propícias e o guapuruvu a espécie arbórea com melhores resultados em curto prazo, desde que a questão da mortalidade seja sanada com replantio ou manejo adequado.

Efficient use of irrigation and nutrients are becoming increasingly important in commercial orchards in the Hawkesbury area. Proper irrigation scheduling practices can help in the better use of irrigation water and reduce environmental impacts. Field experiments were conducted during February 1999 to June 2000 to understand soil-water use, and to evaluate farmer’s irrigation practice under an alley cropping system consisting of turf and stone fruits. The study was carried out at Atlas Farm, 3.5 km from the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury campus. The experimental site is a floodplain of the Hawkesbury River. The river flows within 1 km of the farm boundaries. The study was conducted under the farmer’s existing irrigation water and nutrient management practices. The main aims of the thesis were to study the movement and redistribution of soil-water and soil-moisture dynamics in the turf and stone fruit alley cropping system and to understand deep percolation losses and nitrogen leaching using the water balance approach. The study indicated that drainage occurred mainly after heavy rainfall and when there was rainfall for a few consecutive days. Thus irrigation application should be delayed if there is a likelihood of rain in a few consecutive days to prevent loss of water due to deep drainage. Furthermore, the study showed irrigation scheduling was essential to reduce nitrate leaching in the field; that irrigation depths should be varied according to the stage of crop growth, and the proper timing of irrigation application could help reduce deep percolation and runoff losses.

The agroforestry practice of establishing shelterbelts and/or windbreaks composed of tree and shrub species that include buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea Nutt.), caragana (Caragana arborescens Lam.) and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is widespread within Saskatchewan. Shelterbelts play major roles in reducing wind speed, trapping snow, improving land-use efficiency and increasing economic returns. However, the practice of alley cropping within Saskatchewan is not popular. Also, apart from the protective roles the tree species offer in shelterbelts, some species have atmospheric nitrogen (N2)-fixation capabilities through biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) that are potentially important. The simultaneous integration of trees and crops on the same land management unit may lead to competition between crops and trees for growth resources such as nutrients, soil moisture and incoming radiation, the latter leading to limited access of light for understory crops. Understanding the contributions of the trees in supplying nitrogen (N) through BNF and in modifying microclimatic conditions in the alleyways would generate information needed to know their impacts on yield and nutrition of associated crops. In order to assess the contribution of the tree species in supplying N and minimizing interspecific competition while maximizing the benefits of tree-based intercropping systems, the thesis quantified the BNF capabilities of each species under greenhouse conditions using 15N dilution techniques and assessed how much of the fixed N2 is transferred to associated triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.) and oats (Avena sativa L.) under field conditions. Growth and yield of oats was also studied by measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture in a Manitoba maple (Acer negundo var. negundo L.) -oats alley cropping system at Indian Head, SK. The BNF results showed that each of the test species fixes a substantial amount of N and there was a high transfer of N to associated triticale and oats. Results from the interspecific interaction study also showed that soil moisture was the primary factor affecting oats yields followed by light, with the south-lying oat plants affected more than north-lying. It can be concluded that alley cropping systems can be a practical and beneficial agroforestry practice within Saskatchewan. However, the distance between tree rows should be wide enough to permit farm machinery operations.