Researchers and Extension specialists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have received a grant to study alley cropping as a viable solution to mitigate crop stress and improve the sustainability of organic vegetable production amid climate extremes in the Southeast.
Researchers and Extension specialists at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have received a grant to study alley cropping as a viable solution to mitigate crop stress and improve the sustainability of organic vegetable production amid climate extremes in the Southeast. Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice where herbaceous annual crops are grown in wide alleys between rows of trees.
Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events induced by climate change, the buffering ability of trees will likely increase resiliency of regional vegetable production. Vegetable crops can be susceptible to stress induced by heat extremes, which can significantly reduce yields and quality.
Alley cropping systems involve planting rows of leguminous trees, in this case black locust and honey locust, to provide dappled shading that reduces excess heat without negatively affecting vegetable crops planted in between the rows of trees. In addition to moderating temperature extremes, the trees increase landscape biodiversity, lessen evaporation and wind velocity and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall. The cropping system also has the potential to improve soil fertility due to plant nutrients recycled in tree litterfall, reducing the need to amend the soil with costly fertilizer. Further, the system promotes carbon storage and creates a mutually beneficial environment where key nutrients are exchanged.
Read more at University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Image: Researchers and Extension specialists from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have received a SARE grant to study alley cropping to promote climate change resiliency in organic vegetable production systems in the Southeast. Organic vegetables will be planted between rows of black locust and honey locust trees, as pictured above at UT’s East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Organic Crops Unit. (Credit: Tina Johnson)
