Effect of pruning frequency and pruning height on the biomass production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tithonia diversifolia</Emphasis> (Hemsl) A. Gray |
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| Authors: | Samuel T Partey |
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| Institution: | (1) Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK |
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| Abstract: | Addition of tree or shrub prunings through alley cropping or biomass transfer systems have contributed to sustainable land-use
systems in the tropics. Long term productivity of biomass transfer systems require shrub or tree species that coppice after
cutting to provide sufficient plant nutrients. The effect of pruning frequency and cutting height on the biomass production
of Tithonia diversifolia was studied to provide information for managing hedges. Results showed that height of cutting, pruning frequency, and their
interactions significantly affected dry matter production of T. diversifolia. The results also showed that a significantly higher biomass production could be produced when Tithonia was pruned at long time intervals. Pruning height was also of importance in the harvesting of Tithonia biomass and it was evident that dry matter production was highest when Tithonia was pruned bimonthly at 50 cm height. With bi-monthly pruning frequency, dry matter production could be as high as 7.2 t ha−1 yr−1 which might be a sufficient biomass to improve soil productivity in biomass transfer systems. |
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