Effect of Alley Cropping Microclimate and Water Use on Growth and Yield of Groundnut and Maize on Clay Soils

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of modified microclimate in eight-meter wide alleys on growth and yield of groundnut and maize under the shade of Acacia ampliceps and Acacia stenophylla trees in the Gezira Research Station which is characterized by cracking heavy clay soils of low organic and N content. Groundnut and maize crops were evaluated for growth and yield performance by laying out sample plots at southern, central and northern parts of the alleys and at control plots. Due to microclimatic modifications in the alleys, the yield of both crops in the alleys significantly (p=0.01) exceeded the control. It was observed that the alley crop yield performs better under A.ampliceps having transmitted radiation of about 64%, which is relatively higher than A.stenophylla (56%). Groundnut increased by 14 and 6 % in the A.ampliceps-alley and A.stenophylla-ally, respectively. On the other hand, maize yield increased by 27 and 15 % in the A.ampliceps-alley and A.stenphylla-ally, respectively. The results indicated that the competition for light was the major contributing factor toward the reduction of growth and yield of maize crop. Alley cropping plots consumed less water (571m3) than the control (805m3). Water was saved in the ampliceps-alley by 34 and 33 % and in stenophylla-alley by 24 and 24% for groundnut and maize, respectively.