Traditional crop sparks new interest as a multipurpose tree

TitleTraditional crop sparks new interest as a multipurpose tree
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1990
AuthorsOng, CK, Daniel, JN
JournalAgroforestry Today (Kenya)
Volume2
Issue2
Pagination4-7
Date PublishedApril-June 1990
LanguageEnglish
Keywordsagroforestry; ICRISAT; IITA; India; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; Nigeria; pigeonpea; sesbania; soils; trees
Abstract

In tropical regions, fast growing short-lived woody species such as pigeon pea are attracting considerable interest for agroforestry systems. Pigeon pea provides food, fuelwood, forage, and shelter to subsistence farmers. Pigeon pea, although a perennial plant, is most often grown as an annual, because it is highly susceptible to Fusarium wilt and mosaic disease. Nowadays resistant perennial lines are available, which can be grown for 3-4 years. The many uses of pigeon pea are summarized. Annual wood production of long-duration pigeon pea ranged from 2.5 to 12.5 t/ha, and grain yield was between 0.8 to 1.8 t/ha. Spacing, fertilizer requirement, crop combinations and management, weed and pest control measures and harvesting methods are discussed. KEYWORDS:

  • TROPAG
  • Cajanus cajan
  • Grain Legume Crops
  • pigeon pea
  • crop potential
  • crop cultivation and maintenance
  • perennial crops.

[CIKARD COPY] If farmers in the semi-arid tropics are to adopt agroforestry on a wide scale, researchers must address two major problems. One is the possibility of competition between trees and field crops in environments where moisture and soil fertility are likely to be limited. The second problem is the often considerable delay before farmers can expect any economic return from trees. (author)

This document looks at two short-lived woody species — pigeonpea and sesbania — as an answer to these two problems. It looks at the products which can be derived from the two species, how the two help to improve soil quality, what kinds of yields they produce, spacing and fertilizer requirements, crop combinations and management, and weed and pest control.

Journal Abbreviation

Agroforestry Today (Kenya)

ISSN

1013-9591

Collection Topic: