Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 1997. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-254). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (May 20, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 230-254). Also available on the Internet.

The potential of agroforestry to alleviate problems related to scarcities of arable land, water, food and fuel wood is subject to understanding system functioning and implementing and managing an efficiently designed system. The objectives of this study were to understand interactions and productivity of a hedgerow intercropping system with reference to water and radiation use, and analyse system design and management scenarios in order to enhance returns. Field trials monitoring soil water, solar radiation and plant productivity were conducted during 2006-2008 at Ukulinga Research Farm (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa) using a Jatropha-Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) hedgerow intercropping system as case study. In order to extrapolate results, a process-based hedgerow intercropping model was developed by building intercropping and tree growth into the SWB-2D model. Data collected from the field trials were used to parameterise and evaluate the model, which was used to analyse hedgerow orientation and spacing to determine income scenarios of virtual system and to help develop design criteria. Allometric relationships of Jatropha using basal stem diameter and crown width as predictor variables were found to be very reliable. Stem diameter was linearly related with wood and branch proportions and inversely proportional to foliage. Neither below-ground (BG) interspecies competition nor tree spacing had any significant effects on allometry. Allometric equations were proven valid for accurate, non-destructive and rapid predictions of tree growth under various growing and non-destructive canopy management conditions. When interspecies competition was present, none of the tree spacing/arrangement options tested resulted in consistently highest tree relative growth rates (RGR). Treatments had no effect on tree RGR when high water availability and kikuyu dormancy coincided. The single-row treatment (SR) produced the shortest trees, but generally had the highest stem RGR during low rainfall periods. The standard-spacing treatment (SS) had the highest RGR during the spring and summer seasons. Jatropha-only treatment (JO) trees were the tallest and biggest. Treatments affected post-pruning tree height increase, even when rainfall was high. Length of tree-crop interface (TCI) generally decreased tree yield, especially as trees matured toward their maximum-yield age (4-5 years). SR trees showed slow response to pruning due to a high TCI. They, however, exhibited compensatory growth during May to August, when competition for water with grass was low. BG competition reduced tree nut yield more than tree biomass. Tree spacing/arrangements had no effect on tree harvest index. Soil water varied among treatments and was asymmetrically distributed across tree hedgerows. System ET was generally the highest in SR and lowest in the double-row treatment (DR). Differences were mainly due to transpiration. Treatments affected tree root distribution, which was inferred using correlations between tree RGR and soil water deficit (SWD). In JO and SR, fine tree roots were asymmetrically distributed. Their distribution in DR was essentially symmetrical. Strong vegetative RGR-SWD correlations during the 2007/08 season indicated that tree growth was mainly water-limited. Though DR and SR had comparable tree RGRs, DR produced less grass than SR. This implied DR had more intensive BG competition than SR. Interspecific competition was severe due to a lack of temporal complementarity between Jatropha and kikuyu and a shallow soil profile (0.6 m). Tree water uptake predominantly came from the 0.2 – 0.6 depth, which had about 8.6% of the total root biomass in the profile. There was no clear relationship between intercrop growth and root distribution. Radiation use efficiency of kikuyu decreased towards tree hedgerows possibly due to preceding interaction of the irradiance with tree canopy reducing photosynthetically active radiation. The effect of radiation distribution on tree-crop (T-C) interactions was mainly to magnify effects of water. Finally, tree spacing/arrangement could be manipulated to optimise radiation and soil water distribution and intercrop growth. Predictions of solar radiation distribution, profile water content and tree water use were quite accurate. In general, intercrop productivity simulations were acceptable. Intercrop growth was overestimated when rainfall was high and underestimated when rainfall was low. During model calibration, tree woody biomass, leaf area index, crown width and nut yield were predicted adequately, while leaf dry mass was overestimated. During model validation, woody biomass and crown width were simulated reasonably well. However, foliage biomass, leaf area index and nut yield were overestimated. Overall, adequacy of the model for simulating tree productivity was established. Using scenario modelling, model capabilities to facilitate design/planning and management of hedgerow intercropping systems and interpretation of model outputs were demonstrated. The model can be used to determine the T-C trade-off that yields maximum income. By selecting best-case row orientation and spacing scenarios using the model, and keeping in mind values of tree and intercrop yields, system returns can be maximised. Tree crown growth can also be predicted in order to decide on the extent and timing of pruning. The present model is applicable to any potential tree-intercrop combination. It should be linked to a nutrient simulator of SWB, its component, and appraised further by considering shade-intolerant and shade-loving crop species, along with evergreen and deciduous tree species. This provides model users with numerous T-C combinations to choose from. Various tree spacing/arrangement options can also be explored using the model in order to realise the full potential and implications of the experimental findings of this study and others. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

"June 2001" / Bibliography: p. 165-183. / xxviii, 250 p. : ill., plates (col.), maps (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The aims of this study were to develop models for predicting groundwater recharge from alley farming systems in the Murray Basin and for designing alley farms that will result in a prescribed recharge reduction. --p. 158. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Agronomy and Farming Systems, 2002

Thesis (M. Sc. Agriculture (Agronomy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) is an important grain legume crop in tropical and subtropical countries, where it provides a cheap source of protein. Smallholder farmers in Limpopo Province cultivate landraces of pigeonpea, which are characterised with late maturity, low grain yield and being sensitive to photoperiod. To increase the productivity of the cropping system involving pigeonpea, several earlymedium maturity varieties have been introduced. However, performance of the varieties has not been tested in strip intercropping in Limpopo Province. Farmers plant these landraces by using mixed intercropping without definite row arrangement. This practice does not optimise plant density; it hinders farm inputs application and is characterised producing low yields. Therefore, the inclusion of early maturing varieties of pigeonpea in an intercrop will enable farmers to select the best variety for planting in future and thus enhance their output as well as their productivity. The objectives of this study were to assess the agronomic performance of five pigeonpea varieties in pigeonpea-maize strip intercropping, to determine the effect of strip intercropping on maize yield and establish the effect of location and season variations on the performance of both component crops under the intercropping system. Experiments were conducted at the University of Limpopo Experimental Farm (UL Farm) and Ga-Thaba village during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 season. Five improved early-medium maturing pigeonpea varieties (ICEAP 001284, ICEAP 00604, ICEAP 87091, ICEAP 00661 and ICEAP 01101-2) from ICRISAT were evaluated under strip intercropping with maize cultivar PAN 6479. The varieties were selected as earlymedium maturing varieties from previous pigeonpea trials. The trials were laid in a split plot design. The main plot comprised cropping systems (intercrop and monocrop), while the subplot comprised the varieties with three replications. Data collected on pigeonpea were number of days to 50% flowering and 90% maturity number of primary branches; plant height (cm); number of pods per plant; pod length (cm); number of seed per pod; hundred seed weight (g); and grain yield (kg ha-1), whereas on maize, number of days to 50% tasselling and silking; plant height (cm); cob length (cm); cob per plant; grain yields (kg ha-1); and stover (kg ha-1) were recorded. LER was calculated to determine intercropping productivity. Data analysis was done using Statistic 10.0; and Least Significance Difference (LSD) was used to separate the means that showed significant differences at an alpha level of 0.05. The results revealed significant differences in nearly all pigeonpea variables expect (pod length, number of seed per pod and hundred seed weight). Variables that showed significant differences in maize were plant height, cob length, grain yields and stover. Number of days to 50% flowering and 90% physiological maturity differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among varieties at the UL Farm and Ga-Thaba. Varieties (ICEAP 001284 and ICEAP 00604) exhibited the shortest number of days to 50% flowering and 90% maturity in both locations during both seasons. The interaction between variety x season (V x S) showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in pigeonpea grain yield. The top yielders during 2015/16 at the UL Farm were ICEAP 01101-2 (1555 kg ha-1) and ICEAP 001284 (1280 kg ha-1), while during the 2016/17 season, they were ICEAP 001284 (937 kg ha-1) and ICEAP 01101-2 (912 kg ha-1). High yielder at Ga-Thaba during the 2016/17 season were ICEAP 001284 and ICEAP 01101-2 with grain yields of 671 kg ha-1 and 627 kg ha-1, respectively. Furthermore, varieties that obtained high yields during the 2015/16 season were ICEAP 001284 (504 kg ha-1) and ICEAP 00604 (541 kg ha-1). Most of the varieties during both seasons at the UL Farm and Ga-Thaba yielded more than 500 kg ha-1 under strip intercropping as compared to mixed intercropping, which obtained yields averages of below 400 kg ha-1. The highest maize grain yields of 1450 kg ha-1 were recorded during 2015/16 as compared to 958 kg ha1 during the 2016/17 season at the UL Farm. The calculated total Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) for the two crops in both locations gave positive and higher than 1 values, which suggests a favourable grain yield advantage for maize-pigeonpea strip intercrop over mixed intercropping. Key words: Cajanus cajan, maize, cropping system, maturity, grain yields, land equivalent ratio

Two studies were carried out in the Morgan Arboretum of McGill University to explore the agroforestry potential of some native tree species of Southern Quebec. In the first study, soil chemical characteristics under basswood (Tilia americana L.), white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis Wang. K. Koch) in relation to sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were assessed in natural stands. Soil pH was highest under white ash and was lowest under bitternut hickory. Soil NO$ sb3 sp-$ was low under basswood compared to white ash. Soil pH and exchangeable soil Ca$ sp{2+}$ and Mn$ sp{2+}$ decreased with an increase in basal area and exchangeable soil K$ sp+$ decreased (p = 0.07) with an increase in the proportion of sugar maple relative to total basal area. / In the second study, the effects of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) on growth and nutrient content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), kale (Brussica oleracea L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) in an alley cropping system were determined. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with repeated measures. All vegetables survived in the black walnut plantation and in the open field. The order of sensitivity to growth under black walnut was Swiss chard $>$ kale $>$ lettuce $>$ parsley. Low light intensity in the plantation likely decreased plant dry weights and nutrient content. Generally plant N, P and K concentrations were higher in the plantation while Ca, Mg and Mn concentrations were higher in the open field, possibly due to an antagonistic effect of high soil K$ sp+$ content in the plantation and to inhibitory effects of black walnut.