Spatial effect of dominant tree species on crop productivity, water and nutrient availability within smallholder farms in Rift Valley, Kenya

To improve sustainability of agroforestry practices while improving agroecosystem functions and soil health, a better understanding of how to optimize tree-crop interaction is required through study on the impact of tree species and spatial arrangements that minimize competition, favors complementarities and facilitative interactions among trees and associated crops. The purpose of this study was specifically to: a) determine the spatial effect of dominant tree species on soil organic C and nutrient availability within smallholder farms; b) to evaluate the effect of dominant tree species on water availability within smallholder farms; and c) to evaluate the spatial effect of dominant sp ecies on crop productivity.