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Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana

dc.contributor.authorAsitoakor, B.K.
dc.contributor.authorVaast, P.
dc.contributor.authorRaebild, A.
dc.contributor.authorRavn, H.P.
dc.contributor.authorEziah, V.Y.
dc.contributor.authorOwusu, K.
dc.contributor.authorMensah, E.O.
dc.contributor.authorAsare, R.
dc.date.accessioned2022-09-12T11:14:48Z
dc.date.available2022-09-12T11:14:48Z
dc.date.issued2022-10
dc.identifier.citationAsitoakor, B.K., Vaast, P., Ræbild, A., Ravn, H.P., Eziah, V.Y., Owusu, K., ... & Asare, R. (2022). Selected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana. Agricultural Systems, 202: 103476, 1-9.
dc.identifier.issn0308-521X
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/7737
dc.description.abstractCONTEXT 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.
dc.description.sponsorshipMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
dc.format.extent1-9
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectTheobroma Cacao
dc.subjectOn-Farm Research
dc.subjectSoil Fertility
dc.subjectPhosphorus
dc.subjectYields
dc.subjectHarvesting
dc.subjectNutrients
dc.subjectAgroforestry Systems
dc.titleSelected shade tree species improved cocoa yields in low-input agroforestry systems in Ghana
dc.typeJournal Article
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Ghana
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Copenhagen
cg.contributor.affiliationUniversite de Montpellier
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture
cg.contributor.affiliationCSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionWest Africa
cg.coverage.countryGhana
cg.coverage.hubHeadquarters and Western Africa Hub
cg.researchthemeNatural Resource Management
cg.identifier.bibtexciteidASITOAKOR:2022
cg.isijournalISI Journal
cg.authorship.typesCGIAR and developing country institute
cg.iitasubjectAgribusiness
cg.iitasubjectAgronomy
cg.iitasubjectCocoa
cg.iitasubjectFood Security
cg.iitasubjectNutrition
cg.iitasubjectPlant Breeding
cg.iitasubjectPlant Production
cg.iitasubjectSoil Fertility
cg.journalAgricultural Systems
cg.notesOpen Access Article; Published online: 13 Aug 2022
cg.accessibilitystatusOpen Access
cg.reviewstatusPeer Review
cg.usagerightslicenseCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 0.0)
cg.targetaudienceScientists
cg.identifier.doihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103476
cg.iitaauthor.identifierRichard Asare: 0000-0001-6798-7821
cg.futureupdate.requiredNo
cg.identifier.issue103476
cg.identifier.volume202


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