Water use in a Grevillea robusta–maize overstorey agroforestry system in semi-arid Kenya

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 180; no. 1; pp. 45 - 59
• Main Authors: Lott, J.E., Khan, A.A.H., Black, C.R., Ong, C.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 17.07.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agricultural and farming systems; Agroforestry; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Grevillea robusta; Kenya; Maize; Sap flow; Water use; Kenya; East Africa; Africa; Grevillea robusta; Water use; Maize; Sap flow; Kenya; Agroforestry; Monocotyledones; Zea mays; Proteaceae; Overstorey; Water use efficiency; Sap flow: Water use; Allometry; Multipurpose tree; Cereal crop; Biological productivity; Non destructive method; Gramineae; Water regime; Sandy clay loam soil; Seasonal variation; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Evapotranspiration; Spermatophyta; Measurement method

Novel approaches involving a combination of sap flow measurements of transpiration and allometric estimates of biomass production were used to determine seasonal water use by trees and crops in agroforestry systems. The results were used to test the hypothesis that agroforestry may improve productiv...