@article {688, title = {The influence of karit{\'e} (Vitellaria paradoxa) and n{\'e}r{\'e} (Parkia biglobosa) trees on sorghum production in Burkina Faso}, journal = {Agroforestry Systems}, volume = {17}, year = {1992}, month = {February 1992}, pages = {97-118}, abstract = {

Sorghum grain yields under the karit{\'e} and the n{\'e}r{\'e} are reduced by an average of 50\% and 70\% respectively, in comparison with yields in the open field. Soil fertility, limiting primary production in the region, is at least as favorable under the tree canopies as in the open field. Reduced light intensity, to a minimum of 20\% under the n{\'e}r{\'e} canopy, is probably largely responsible for low sorghum production under the tree canopies. Benefits from the tree products are more valuable than losses in cereal yields, explaining why trees are maintained on the agricultural fields.

Pruning of tree branches, selection of (shade-) crops and tree selection could reduce crop yield losses but cannot be expected to increase tree- and crop production.

}, keywords = {agriculture, forestry, Parkia biglobosa, parkland, savanna, shade influence, tree management, tree-crop relations, Vitellaria paradoxa, West Africa}, doi = {10.1007/BF00053116}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053116}, author = {J. J. Kessler} }