Interactions between trees and crops for below-ground resources are often as important as those for above-ground resources. Therefore, identification of suitable woody species for agroforestry systems is one of the most important challenges of agroforestry . The few studies that have attempted to evaluate woody species for farming systems in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria have focused on Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium , but these two species have been found to perform poorly on acid soils regarding root distribution patterns and above-ground biomass production. Evaluation and selection of leguminous fodder species for agroforestry systems depend lar gely on an understanding of root distribution patterns of such species (Anegbeh and T choundjeu 2005). This is particularly important in Niger Delta Region where agroforestry systems, which are ecologically compatible, environmentally sustainable, and commercially viable, are promoted. The objective of this study was to examine quantitatively the root length densities of three leguminous tree fodders for agroforestry systems in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
Publication year
2006
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
enterolobium cyclocarpum, gliricidia sepium, leguminous, leucaena leucocephala, root length, species, trees
Geographic
Nigeria
