Portugal, photo by Michael den Herder
Photo: Anastasia Pantera
South Portugal (by João HN Palma, ISA-UL)
Photo by Michael den Herder
Shropshire, UK. Photo by Jo Smith, ORC
Rosa Mosquera-Losada presenting an overview of EURAF activities
AU DK. Photo by Anne Grete Kongsted
Photo by João Palma
Photo by Joana Amaral Paulo
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How can trees maintain crop yields?
Climate change scenarios predict fewer but more intense rain events. Dry spring and summer weather reduces crop yields. Water loss from the crop is controlled by solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed and humidity.
Why manage the understorey?
In many agroforestry systems, the area between the trees and under the tree canopy is an overlooked and underutilised space. Unmanaged, this can create problems with weed control. This space can be put to productive use through planting crops that are adapted to shady conditions. In addition, when managed correctly, the tree understorey can be a resource for biodiversity, providing a habitat for beneficial insects and a food resource for crop pollinators.
The tree problem
How to optimize maize growth under cherry trees
Agroforestry is a traditional land use system in Voio, north-western Greece, in which farmers integrate agricultural production with high value tree species on the same area of land. This integrated approach ensures a steady economic return each year irrespective of weather conditions.
Why plant poplars?
The Padana Plain in Italy is characterised by intensive agriculture. Cereals are the most common crop, and hybrid poplar (Populus x euroamericana) is the most common cultivated tree species for timber production. Intercropping poplar trees with arable crops is now recognized as a modern form of Smart Agriculture, due to the efficient use of site resources (light, nutrients and water) by canopies and root distribution.
Managing non-crop vegetation within the field
If trees and crops are the productive components of the agroforestry alley cropping systems, a third component must be considered: the non-crop vegetation at the tree strip.
Why an associated crop?
Olives and olive oil are central in the healthy Mediterranean diet, and there is an increase demand for olive products coming from sustainable and organic farming.
Why combine Melissa officinalis L. with cherry trees?
Melissa officinalis L. (commonly known as lemon balm in English) is used to supply rosmarinic acid to the pharmaceutical sector. Melissa officinalis L., like many medicinal plants, is well adapted to partial shading. Cherry trees are a high value timber tree with good economic return. They generate little shade compared with other trees.
Why combine maize with cherry trees?
Maize is in great demand all over Europe as livestock feed. However, intensive maize production requires large amounts of inputs, including fertilizer and water, which results in low returns and high environmental costs.
Currently, quality timber cherry trees have a high market value due to a shortage of supply.