Project Number: 6227-21310-008-26
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2005
End Date: Apr 30, 2010

Objective:
The broad objective of this research is to develop a scientific basis for integrating trees and herbaceous crops. Specific objectives include: 1) Develop best management practices to reduce pesticide use and optimize crop productivity in black walnut alley cropping practices; 2) Determine the sustainability of alley cropping practices of nut-bearing trees, and various legumes and warm-season grasses; 3) Determine the feasibility of producing marketable seed of forage-type and turf-type grasses in alley cropping practices; and 4) Develop a framework to analyze markets for traditional and nontraditional Midwestern agroforestry products.

Approach:
Shade screening trials will continue in a redesigned shade tolerance laboratory. Shade tolerance of 32 accessions of big bluestem (all Missouri selections) under four light densities (30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% of full sunlight) will be tested initially. Quantitative and qualitative measurements will be made of growth and performance. Shade tolerance of native cool-season grasses will be conducted in field plot evaluations. Crop yields and insect pest populations will be compared between various alley cropped and conventional forage and oilseed agroforestry practices. These studies will utilize alfalfa and canola stands established in 40- and 80-foot alleyways between rows of black walnut and open grown stands. The economics of conventional monocrop practices of forage or oilseed will be compared to alley cropping practices. Field studies established in 2000 to evaluate physical and biological interactions between nut-bearing trees and warm-season prairie grasses and legumes will continue. A field experiment on establishment of black walnut in tall fescue is being conducted with treatments including three types of planting stock, presence or absence of mycorrhizae inoculant, and size of vegetation-free zone. The effects of three different grass/legume species as living mulches on the growth of four tree species are being evaluated. The feasibility of commercial tall fescue seed production grown as an alley crop in a mixed hardwood tree plantation will be assessed under field conditions. Experiments to determine if cottonwood tree row orientation affects forage production of reed canarygrass and white clover on a site subject to periodic flooding will be evaluated in the field. Work continues to improve our understanding of the five competitive forces controlling market value chain development, price discovery and availability for specialty products. Current emphasis is being placed on Chinese chestnut, pine straw, and gourmet mushrooms.