-* Conclusions
The data presented above show that alley cropping
on high base status soil can play an important role in sustaining high soil and crop productivity
with lower external chemical input levels than are
required without alley cropping. The presence of
woody hedgerows also allows year-round biomass
production, which can provide much needed organic
matter to sustain the productivity of the fragile uplands.
There is evidence for better belowground resource
use with alley cropping. The presence of
woody species and the promotion of fauna1 activities
with alley cropping can substantially increase the
carbon and nutrient cycling within the system.
Though the effect varies with hedgerow species, they
can play an important role in reducing nutrient leaching
losses from the system.