Productivity of cotton and sorghum in an agroforestry system of shea trees (<i>Vitellaria paradoxa</i> gaertn) in northern Benin

Abstract

This study evaluates the productivity of cotton and sorghum in a shea-based agroforestry system in northern Benin. Tomboutou and Gounarou villages were respectively selected in the shea parklands of Bembèrèkè and Kandi. Within each parkland and village, three classes of tree crown diameter for shea trees (4 -8 m, 8 -10 m and <10 m), were defined after the inventory phase. In each class of crown diameter, three trees intercropped with cotton and sorghum were randomly selected among the 18 to 21 farms in each of the two village territories. The crops were planted in accordance with the technical procedures recommended by the national agricultural extension service. The following data was collected for sorghum and cotton on 1 m² area under the crown and outside the crown, in the four cardinal directions of each sample tree: crop height, fresh biomass per crop and buds per cotton plant. Data analysis revealed a very significant difference in the variables (height of sorghum and cotton, biomass of cotton and sorghum, number cotton buds) between the areas under the crown and those outside the crown (P < 0.01). The productivity variables for sorghum, i.e., average plant height and average biomass, dropped by 9.75% and 29.31%, respectively, when planted under the crown. Cotton under the crown was 6.58% shorter compared to plants outside the crown. Average bud production and average fresh biomass for cotton plants was 13.06% and 36.06% less, respectively, when planted under the crown of shea trees.

Agronomic characteristics of sorghum in an agroforestry system with Eucalyptus in the semiarid region of minas gerais

“…Regarding grain yield and effective grain yield, only the interaction of arrangement × assessed site provided no effect on agronomic evaluations (Table 2). These finding were agreed with Clemente et al (2015) and Gnanglè et al (2013).…”

“…Gnanglè et al (2013) evaluated the height and productivity of sorghum and cotton in and out of Shea cup (Butyrospermum Parkii paradoxa Gaertn) and obtained low yield and low plant height due light intensity decrease, indicating that plants closer to the trees have lower yields. The productivity of a crop depends on the density and spatial arrangement of the tree component, because during the second year after the deployment, the shading of trees interferes with crop yields (Neto et al, 2014).…”

Soluções Agrícolas E Florestais Para Uma Indústria Têxtil Mais Sustentável

“…Algumas pesquisas pelo mundo vêm buscando uma melhor compreensão da viabilidade da silvicultura para o cultivo de algodão. Um sistema de cultivo de algodão e sorgo (Sorghum moench) em uma silvicultura de carité (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn) em Benin (África) foi estudado por Gnanglè et al ( 2013). Os autores mostraram que os parâmetros de produtividade para o algodão e o sorgo, isto é, altura das plantas, rendimento e biomassa fresca, são dependentes da distância entre a cultura e as árvores, e também do sombreamento.…”

Textile natural fibers production regarding the agroforestry approach

“…Gnangle et al [73] demonstrated its study for cotton and sorghum (Sorghum moench) production in an agroforestry of shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn) in Benin. It has shown that the productivity parameters for sorghum and cotton (plant height, yield and fresh biomass) are higher for plants grown outside the shea tree area than those under the coverage.…”

“…Zhang et al [71], Wang et al [70] Benin Sorghum/ cotton/shea tree Productivity parameters are higher for plants grown outside the shea tree area. Gnanglè et al [73] US Pecan/cotton Presented water stress and competition, suggesting annual or biannual root pruning of the tree species may be advantageous.…”