Temperate alley cropping systems

Publication date: 08/05/2019
Extent: 30 pages

Contributions by: Diomy S. Zamora, University of Minnesota, USA; Samuel C. Allen, New Mexico State University, USA; Kent G. Apostol, Independent Researcher and Editor, USA; Shibu Jose, University of Missouri, USA; and Gary Wyatt, University of Minnesota, USA

Chapter synopsis: The implementation of modern agricultural practices has largely excluded trees from the rural landscape, causing negative environmental impacts. Alley cropping, an agroforestry practice where agricultural crops are grown simultaneously with long-term tree crops, helps mitigate negative environmental impacts and offers a promising land-use alternative to conventional farming for temperate regions. This chapter provides an overview of economic and ecological benefits, challenges and major considerations of implementing these practices within North America. The chapter focuses on a system performance evaluation of a pecan-cotton system in the southern United States and looks ahead to future research trends in this area.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2018.0041.04