Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana
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Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana. / Asitoakor, Bismark Kwesi; Vaast, Philippe; Ræbild, Anders; Ravn, Hans Peter; Eziah, Vincent Yao; Owusu, Kwadwo; Mensah, Eric Opoku; Asare, Richard.
In: Agricultural Systems, Vol. 202, 103476, 2022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana
AU - Asitoakor, Bismark Kwesi
AU - Vaast, Philippe
AU - Ræbild, Anders
AU - Ravn, Hans Peter
AU - Eziah, Vincent Yao
AU - Owusu, Kwadwo
AU - Mensah, Eric Opoku
AU - Asare, Richard
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - CONTEXT: Cocoa agroforestry systems differ in the diversity of shade tree species composition. Though cocoa benefits from shade, there is a lack of species-specific information on shade trees that enhance soil fertility and yield.OBJECTIVE: We examined how soil characteristics and cocoa yield were affected by eight commonly retained forest tree species, compared with unshaded control plots over a 3-year period.METHODS: Using 74 circular plots from 10 cocoa farms in the Western region of Ghana, we sampled soils from two random points within each plot. Soil nutrients at the beginning and end of the study were analyzed, and yield was expressed as number of harvested pods and dry weight of beans per hectare.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Levels of soil K and Ca were below recommended values. Although soil available phosphorus (P) was higher in control plots than under shade trees, yield around shade trees were higher than on unshaded plots. Cocoa yield differences between shade tree species and control plots were significant only in the major crop season, but not in the minor crop season. Cocoa yields under Cedrela odorata, Khaya ivorensis, Terminalia superba and Milicia excelsa were significantly higher than on control plots. Hence, the inclusion of specific shade tree species in cocoa agroforestry systems is important to maintain high yields in cocoa systems with low inputs.SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this study presents one of the first attempt to assess the impacts of specific shade tree species on soil characteristics and cocoa yield.
AB - CONTEXT: Cocoa agroforestry systems differ in the diversity of shade tree species composition. Though cocoa benefits from shade, there is a lack of species-specific information on shade trees that enhance soil fertility and yield.OBJECTIVE: We examined how soil characteristics and cocoa yield were affected by eight commonly retained forest tree species, compared with unshaded control plots over a 3-year period.METHODS: Using 74 circular plots from 10 cocoa farms in the Western region of Ghana, we sampled soils from two random points within each plot. Soil nutrients at the beginning and end of the study were analyzed, and yield was expressed as number of harvested pods and dry weight of beans per hectare.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Levels of soil K and Ca were below recommended values. Although soil available phosphorus (P) was higher in control plots than under shade trees, yield around shade trees were higher than on unshaded plots. Cocoa yield differences between shade tree species and control plots were significant only in the major crop season, but not in the minor crop season. Cocoa yields under Cedrela odorata, Khaya ivorensis, Terminalia superba and Milicia excelsa were significantly higher than on control plots. Hence, the inclusion of specific shade tree species in cocoa agroforestry systems is important to maintain high yields in cocoa systems with low inputs.SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this study presents one of the first attempt to assess the impacts of specific shade tree species on soil characteristics and cocoa yield.
KW - Theobroma cacao
KW - On-farm
KW - Soil fertility
KW - Available phosphorus
KW - Yield
KW - CACAO THEOBROMA-CACAO
KW - ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
KW - SOIL FERTILITY
KW - FOREST
KW - REQUIREMENTS
KW - DYNAMICS
KW - ECOLOGY
U2 - 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103476
DO - 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103476
M3 - Journal article
VL - 202
JO - Agricultural Systems
JF - Agricultural Systems
SN - 0308-521X
M1 - 103476
ER -
ID: 325713518