Version 1
: Received: 31 December 2023 / Approved: 2 January 2024 / Online: 2 January 2024 (09:45:48 CET)
How to cite:
Paris, P.; Perali, A.; Ciolfi, M.; Chiocchini, F. Using Tree Basal Area for Estimating Timber, Hay and Nut Productivity in a Silvoarable System with Common Walnut Tree (Juglans regia L.). Preprints2024, 2024010080. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0080.v1
Paris, P.; Perali, A.; Ciolfi, M.; Chiocchini, F. Using Tree Basal Area for Estimating Timber, Hay and Nut Productivity in a Silvoarable System with Common Walnut Tree (Juglans regia L.). Preprints 2024, 2024010080. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0080.v1
Paris, P.; Perali, A.; Ciolfi, M.; Chiocchini, F. Using Tree Basal Area for Estimating Timber, Hay and Nut Productivity in a Silvoarable System with Common Walnut Tree (Juglans regia L.). Preprints2024, 2024010080. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0080.v1
APA Style
Paris, P., Perali, A., Ciolfi, M., & Chiocchini, F. (2024). Using Tree Basal Area for Estimating Timber, Hay and Nut Productivity in a Silvoarable System with Common Walnut Tree (<em>Juglans regia</em> L.). Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0080.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Paris, P., Marco Ciolfi and Francesca Chiocchini. 2024 "Using Tree Basal Area for Estimating Timber, Hay and Nut Productivity in a Silvoarable System with Common Walnut Tree (<em>Juglans regia</em> L.)" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0080.v1
Abstract
Agroforestry systems with multipurpose tree species, for the double production of timber and fruit, along with the intercropping with herbaceous crops, can be fundamental land use systems for multiple ecosystems services. Research was conducted in Italy, for one growing season, in 18 years old agroforestry experimental plots with common walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees, according to the previous agroforestry management (AFM) since tree planting. The aim is i) estimating trees growth and herbaceous yield in relation to increasing tree size, especially referring to the trees basal area (G); ii) evaluating the role of nut production as additional product to timber and food crops. Observations were run on tree growth and leaf phenology, total light transmittance (TTL) below tree canopy and hay yield with and without walnut intercropping. Nut yield was estimated from available literature and associated to G. At the end of the study year, representing two third of trees rotation, their height varied between 10 and 11 m, with much larger variation for tree diameter between 17 and 22 cm, according to the previous AFM, including tree mulching with plastic film. Hay yield varied between 4.5 and 3 Mg ha year-1 outside and under tree canopy, respectively. Negative regression were determined for G and TTL, and G and hay yield, with an annual reduction of 5% per G unit. Simulations were run on hay and nut yield, using G as main input parameter. The work points out the following key findings: i) the usefulness of plastic mulching, at tree planting, to increase the long-term timber productivity of the trees intercropped with herbaceous crops; ii) the negative linear relationship between hay productivity and walnut trees G; iii) G influences, in positive way, more markedly nut than hay yield. Suggestions are given on the optimum tree planting spacing and AFM for balancing timber, nut and hay yields.
Keywords
agroforestry; hay meadow; hemispherical photos; intercropping; plastic mulching.
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
