Hedgerow intercropping (alley cropping) is a relatively new technology involving growing agricultural crops between rows of planted tree species. Leucaena is the most widely studied tree species for the practice and research has indicated that it can yield over 200 kg ha-1 year -1 of nitrogen for application in the alleys where crops are planted. More herbage (and nitrogen) are obtained from narrow alleys, and crops utilise the nitrogen better if the prunings are incorporated into the soil before planting. Low pruning heights may prevent shading of the crops.Most of the agronomic aspects of the practice have been investigated in humid lowlands with high rainfall. There is a need to focus research on testing the practice under varied agro-ecological conditions, and using several suitable multipurpose trees species at a wide range of alley width and plant population. Investigations should include more than one crop in the alleys, and at different spatial arrangements. Management schedules, like time and frequency of pruning the trees and method of applying the prunings under different ecological conditions need more research attention. Studies on competition also need to be undertaken in order to suggest improvements to the practice. This paper attempts to put together and discuss some of the recent advances on these and other management aspects concerning hedgerow intercropping, and areas that need further research endeavour are exposed.
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