Effects of Alley Cropping Systems on Soil Erosion and Soil Chemical Properties:

Case 1. Tanay site, Philippines

Abstract

Three alley cropping treatments were tested and compared with current farmers' practice in a hilly area in the Philippines. The soil of the study site was clayey, strongly acidic, deficient in N and P, and the percentage of aluminium saturation of the subsoil ranged from 64 to 77 percent.
The study demonstrated the benefits obtained from an alley cropping system in minimizing soil erosion and nutrient losses. Alley cropping system with gliricidia and napier as hedgerows provided a larger amount of materials for mulching. The three-year experimental period failed to show any changes in the soil chemical properties that could be attributed to alley cropping.
These results indicated that lime and fertilizer applications were necessary for this type of soil for better performance of the alley cropping system.