Abstract

The potential of crop residue mulches, intercropping and agri-silviculture to increase production and restore soil fertility in the humid tropics is examined. African data is used to illustrate the discussion and an urgent plea is made for research that can help the neglected small-scale farmer.

Keywords

Tree Crop Pure Stand Humid Tropic Arable Crop Mulch Material 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Les Techniques du Mulching, des Associations Culturales et le Potentiel Silvo-Agricole en Afrique Tropicale

Résumé

Le potentiel d’utilisation des résidus de culture en tant que matériau à mulcher, des associations de culture, et de l’agriculture étagée est ici examiné. Des données africaines sont incluses dans la discussion. Il devient de plus en plus urgent d’effectuer des travaux de recherche destinées à améliorer la situation du petit paysan jusqu’ici négligé.

Das Potential des Mulchen mit pflanzlichen Rückständen, der Mischkulturen und der mehrstufigen Landwirtschaftsproduktion in tropischen Afrika

Zusammenfassung

Das Potential des Mulchen mit pflanzlichen Rückständen, der Mischkulturen und der mehrstufigen Landwirtschaftsproduktion zur Erhöhung der Produktion und zur Wiederherstellung der Bodenfruchtbarkeit in den feuchten Tropen wird vorgestellt. Ergebnisse aus Afrika werden benützt, um die Diskussion zur erläutern, und ein dringender Appel für die notwendige Forschung zur Unterstützung der Kleinbauern wird entrichtet.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References Cited

  1. Allan, W. 1965. The African Husbandman. 505 pp. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh.Google Scholar
  2. Baldwin, K.D.S. 1957. The Niger Agricultural Project: an experiment in African development. 221 pp. Blackwell, Oxford.Google Scholar
  3. Bene, J.G., H.W. Beall, and A. Cote. 1977. Trees, food and people: land management in the tropics. 52 pp. Int. Dev. Res. Ctr., Ottawa, Canada.Google Scholar
  4. Boerma, A.H. 1975. The world could be fed. J. Soil Water Conserv. 30: 4–11.Google Scholar
  5. De Wilde, J.C. et al. 1967. Experiences with Agricultural Development in Tropical Africa. Vols. I & II. Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD.Google Scholar
  6. Greenland, D.J. 1975. Bringing the green revolution to the shifting cultivator. Science 190: 841–844.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. Greenland, D.J. and R. Lal. 1977. Soil Conservation and Management in the Humid Tropics. 283 pp. 15 PI. Wiley, Chichester, U.K.Google Scholar
  8. Grinnell, H.R. 1975. Agri-silviculture: a suggested research program for west and central Africa. Int. Inst. Trop. Agric., Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
  9. King, K.F.S. 1968. Agri-silviculture. Bull. No. 1. 109 pp. Dept. Forestry, Univ. Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
  10. Lagemann, J. 1977. Traditional African Farming Systems in Eastern Nigeria: an analysis of reaction to increasing population pressure. 269 pp. Weltforum Verlag, Munchen, W. Germany.Google Scholar
  11. Lal, R. 1975. Role of mulching techniques in tropical soil and water management. Tech. Bull. No. 1. Int. Inst. Trop. Agric., Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
  12. Lal, R. 1976. Soil Erosion problems on Alfisols in Western Nigeria and their control. Monograph No. 1. Int. Inst. Trop. Agric., Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
  13. Obi, J.K. and P. Tuley. 1973. The bush fallow and ley farming in the oil palm belt of southeastern Nigeria. Unpublished.Google Scholar
  14. Ochse, J.J. et al. 1961. Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture. Vol. II. Maonillan, NY.Google Scholar
  15. Okigbo, B.N. 1976. Fitting research to farming systems. Pp. 158–167 in G. Hunter, A.H. Bunting and A. Bottrall, eds. Policy and Practice in Rural Development. 520 pp. Proc. 2nd Int. Seminar on Change in Agriculture. Croom Helm, London.Google Scholar
  16. Okigbo, B.N. 1976. Role of legumes in smallholdings of the humid tropics. Pp. 97–117 in J.M. Vincent, A.S. Whitney and J. Bose, eds. Exploiting the Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis in Tropical Agriculture. Coll. Trop. Agric, Misc. Publ. 145. 469 pp. Dept. Agron. Soil Sei., Univ. Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii.Google Scholar
  17. Sparnaaij, L.D. 1957. Mixed cropping in palm cultivation. J. West Afr. Inst. Oil Palm Res. 2(7): 244–264.Google Scholar
  18. UNEP. 1975. Overview in the priority subject area, land, water and desertification. United Nations Environmental Program, Nairobi, Kenya.Google Scholar
  19. WAIFOR. 1960. How to plant, care for and feed your oil palm. Farmers Bull. No. 2. West Afr. Inst. Oil Palm Res., Benin, Nigeria.Google Scholar
  20. Wood, A. 1950. The Groundnut Affair. 254 pp. Bodley Head, London.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Basel AG 1982

Authors and Affiliations

  • B. N. Okigbo
  • R. Lal

There are no affiliations available

Personalised recommendations