Multi-storey Cropping Research Articles

Leafy Vegetables under Shade? Performance, Consumer Acceptance, and Nutritional Contribution of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Leaves in the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve in Southwest Ethiopia

In rural Ethiopia, people consume mainly cereals and pulses. Integrating vegetables into the multi-storey cropping system of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve could improve nutritional health while reducing pressure on natural habitats in the biodiversity hotspot. The aim of the study was to assess the performance of cowpea under shade and its consumer acceptance as leafy vegetables. Trials compared continuous harvesting with uprooting, and food preference was tested. A baseline survey was conducted in four villages and revealed that cropping of vegetables in coffee plantations would be adoptable by 17% of farmers. The cumulatively harvested mean leaf yield (18.15 t ha−1) was significantly higher than the leaf yield of the uprooted cowpea (6.56 t ha−1). As many as 41% (52%) of participants liked cowpea dishes (very much). Based on the trial yields and the RDA, a 25 m2 cowpea plot could produce sufficient vitamin A for 2.1–4.6 adults, iron for 0.8–1.7, and vitamin C for 1.3–2.9 adults during six months. Cowpea was successfully cultivated below coffee, yielded most when repeatedly harvested and showed a high acceptance among consumers. The consumption of cowpea leaves from coffee forests could contribute to a balanced diet and improved nutrition.

ESTABLISHMENT OF GENDER-INCLUSIVE COCONUT-BASED MULTI-STOREY FARM MODEL IN BUKIDNON, PHILIPPINES

Coconut palms are ideal for diversified (i.e. multi-storey cropping) production system across stages of growth and development. However, local information on the role of women in coconut-based multi-storey cropping is not available. Hence, this study was conceptualized to evaluate the growth of intercrops to coconut at initial vegetative growth with a woman as maintainer in a multi-storey farm in Bukidnon, Philippines. Land resource utilization in newly established coconut plantation was maximized by planting high-value intercrops such as pineapple, cacao and vegetables and were found to have no adverse effects on the growth. Eggplant as intercrop produced the highest gross income for a one-hectare non-bearing stage of coconut. On the other hand, the role of women in the establishment of a coconut-based multi-storey farm was found to be essential in all aspects of intercultural management practices, except foliar application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The results could serve as guide to policy makers in establishing a gender-inclusive coconut-based multi-storey farm.

Participatory evaluation of vegetables to enhance household nutrition in forest garden areas in Ethiopia

Vegetables can play a significant role in improving peoples' nutrition, generating income and reducing poverty. The present study investigated which vegetables and locally available edible plants would be best suited for cultivation in the multi-storey cropping system of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve's Transition Zone, in Ethiopia. A comprehensive species list was compiled based on a literature review and expert consultations. Plant photo cards were reviewed and pre-selected by a local botanist who assigned local names. Then the cards were presented to eight focus groups of men and women separately in four communities in the Biosphere Reserve. Focus group discussions revealed five selection criteria as being important to farmers. The plants nutritional value was included as a criterion for selection based on the combination of micronutrients likely to be deficient in the project area: iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C. In total, six criteria were combined in a composite indicator comparing equal and differential criteria weighting. Thirty-one edible wild herbaceous plants were reported from the project area. Twenty-three species were suggested by experts. Relevant selection criteria brought forward by farmers were; (1) minimal damage to coffee roots at harvest; (2) ease at coffee harvest; (3) canopy competition; and (4) tolerance to shade. Farmers' (5) knowledge and opinion about suggested plants as well as the (6) calculated nutrition index were also considered. The ten most suitable plants identified were cowpea, amaranths, African nightshade, Ethiopian kale, spider plant, jute mallow, physalis, asparagus, pigeon pea and cucurbits (for leaf production). The list of plants was identical for the equal and differential weighing, but the ranking did differ slightly. These plants were suggested to farmers who selected four crops for field testing in a participatory manner.

Sustainable soil fertility management in coconut based multi-storeyed cropping system

<p>A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasaragod, Kerala state during 2012 to 2015 to develop appropriate cost effective practices for enhancing productivity and profitability of coconut based multi-storeyed cropping system involving a combination of coconut, noni, banana and long pepper in coastal sandy soil. The treatments consisted of eight combinations of four levels of NPK (100 per cent, 2/3 rd, 1/3 of the recommended NPK and basin management in the organic pathway) for coconut and two levels of NPK (100 and 75 per cent of the recommended dose) for the component crops in addition to five sole cropping systems namely, coconut (100 per cent NPK), coconut (organic), long pepper (100 per cent NPK), banana (100 per cent NPK) and noni (100 per cent NPK). Pooled analysis of the data revealed that basin management with 75 per cent NPK for component crops was found favourable for increasing the nut yield from 43 to 53 nuts palm-1 year-1. Soil properties and BCR of the system also improved as a result of the same treatment. Highest copra content (160.6 g nut-1) was recorded in the<br />organic basin management treatment supplied with 100 per cent NPK for component crops. An improvement in the soil nutrient status was also observed compared to the control. </p>

OA01. 33. High-yielding, medicinal and multi-purpose chenopods (Chenopodium species) for multistorey cropping

Purpose: In an effort to develop crop ideotypes for multi-storey cropping under the conditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, a few locally well-adapted chenopods (Chenopodium species) were examined for high yields and their compatibility with many other crops. A few genotypes were identified, selected and recommended as a sole crop as well as along with many other crops. The medicinal value of these chenopods in increasing haemoglobin content in anaemic patient was also evaluated. Method: Available chenopods were evaluated for yield and compatibility in a completely randomized design. About 200 grammes of fresh tender shoots were cooked and fed every day to an anaemic patient having his initial haemoglobin content at 5.2 units. Result: These chenopods produced 13125 to 22688 kgs/ha of edible grade biomass as a sole crop as well as in various crop combinations. The average land equivalent ratio for intercropping with Phaseolus vulgaris was 1.20 indicating 20 per cent yield advantage over sole cropping. These plants were also used as mulch, fuel-wood, walking sticks and live standards for pole type rajma and many other climber crops. After nine days feeding to the anaemic patient, the haemoglobin content increased from 5.2 to 10.0 units. Conclusion: High-density sowing/transplanting coupled with frequent uprooting/picking is trapping solar radiation very efficiently right from its early life stage. A concerted research effort would make it a successful industrial crop. These genotypes are high yielding, input responsive and amenable to scaling up for large scale cultivation. These chenopods are also amenable to the spirit of intensification in the sense that they are responding well to transplanting, spacing and canopy management. A temporally staggered sowing/transplanting, frequent picking/harvesting and high input and high density agriculture would generate a large amount of edible grade biomass that could be used as food, medicine, fodder and feed.

Economic analysis of mango multistrata intercropping

AbstractMultistorey cropping of mango with bay, black pepper, pineapple and ginger did not affect the yield of mango. Four combinations of these intercrops gave net returns of 91–143% over the monocrop. Ginger, bay leaf and pepper were effective in sustaining income especially during an ‘off’ year when mango is not bearing. By intercropping, farmers can generate income over a period of seven months. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd

AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS FOR THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

SUMMARY The paper describes existing and potential agroforestry practices and multi-purpose tree use on this chain of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, 87% of which is still covered by tropical forests. Forest farming, home gardens, plantation-based multi-storeyed cropping systems and aqua-silviculture in mangroves are the principal systems at present. Suggestions are made as to how to secure improved productivity and wider adoption to make better use of degraded lands and limit further deforestation.

Soil microflora and biological activities in the rhizospheres and root regions of coconut-based multistoreyed cropping and coconut monocropping systems

Microflora, enzyme activities, microbial biomass. C and N mineralization in the rhizosphere and root region soils of coconut-based multistoreyed cropping (pepper, cacao and pineapple) and coconut monocropping systems were studied. The rhizosphcres of the different crops had greater numbers of microflora than non-rhizosphcrc soils. There were fewer bacteria and fungi in the root region soils of coconut monocrop as compared to multistorcyed cropping system. The microflora, enzyme activities, C and N mineralization decreased with soil depth. Ureuse, dehydrogenase and phosphutusc activities showed variable trends in the root regions and rhizosphcres of the durerent crops. The microbial biomass in the root region soil was highest in the coconut and cacao of the multistorcyed cropping system. The organic C. total N, P and K were higher in the root region soils of multistorcyed cropping system than in the coconut monocropping system.

Occurrence ofAzospirillum spp. in coconut-based farming systems

Occurrence of Azospirillum was investigated in coconut-based farming systems, such as high-density multispecies cropping (15 crops), multi-storeyed cropping (3 crops), mixed cropping with tea and coffee (2 crops), intercropping with tropical tubers (5 crops), mixed farming with grasses (3 crops) and in 3 crops, arecanut,Mimosa invisa and sugarcane from other plots. A total of 26 plantation crops and intercrops were included in the study. Incidence of Azospirillum was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride reduction and by culturing root fragments in N-free semisolid malate medium. Root samples from guava, mango and mimosa did not show any tetrazolium reduction or sub-surface pellicular growth. The extent of occurrence of Azospirillum seemed to depend upon the crop combinations. In a mixed farming system where guinea grass was one of the component crops, more root fragments of coconut and pepper demonstrated tetrazolium reduction activity than when guinea grass was absent.Azospirillum lipoferum andA. brasilense constituted 42% and 45% of the isolates, respectively, in the coconut-based cropping systems. Isolates from guinea grass, sugarcane and jackfruit exhibited higher nitrogenase (C2H2 reduction) than those isolated from plantation crops, tuber crops and spices. The large variation in the extent of association and nitrogenase activity of isolates from different crops indicated the need for inoculation with efficient cultures in a number of crops in coconut-based cropping systems.