Abstract
The characteristics of a fallow farming system in the Sudan zone of Mali are outlined. Sorghum and bulrush millet are the staple crops (70% of the cultivated area); groundnuts are the cash-crop (25% of the cultivated area). On average 7 trees are kept per ha (crown cover 7%), of which 60% are sheabutter trees. Various productive and environmental functions of fallow periods are pointed out. Factors influencing the fallow vegetation are summarized. A concise description of a fallow vegetation succession is given. Data are presented on the shrub layer structure (mainly coppice) and wood production in relation to grazing intensity. It is calculated that 30–50% of the fuelwood consumption of small-scale farmers can be supplied by their fallows.
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Ohler, F.M.J. The fuelwood production of wooded savanna fallows in the Sudan zone of Mali. Agroforest Syst 3, 15–23 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045735
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045735