Tree canopy effect on a winter fodder crop under irrigation

Abstract

Agroforestry is a way of obtaining more than one product at the same time and without increasing the footprint by taking advantage of the synergistic interactions and differential use of resources among species. This work aimed to assess the influence of Prosopis trees on the cultivation of forage oats irrigated by mantle and check if soil fertility significantly contributes to the observed differences. Biomass, moisture percentage, and height of oat plants were measured in three different positions: close to the tree shaft, at the edge of the vertical projection of the crown, and outside of it. A bioassay was also conducted in containers using soil from the same three positions and homogeneous conditions of humidity and environment. In the crop, the highest biomass was found in the interior zone of the crown , while intermediate values were recorded in the peripheral zone and the lowest biomass was observed in the outer zone. Moisture content and height followed the same trend. In the bioassay, the trend in biomass and height remained stable, while succulence did not show a defined pattern. The results of the comparison of relative values allow us to affirm that the crop differences found in biomass and height are partially explained by soil fertility and there are other factors that act on them. In the case of succulence, the direct relationship with fertility is more consistent.