PRODUCTION OF Phaseolus vulgaris L. (BEANS) AND Solanum tuberosum L. (POTATOES) UNDER EUCALYPTUS AS AN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY

The production of crops beneath reduced sunny conditions in the mixture of trees and crops remain a hindrance in growing both crops and trees on farms. It is essential to deal with this strain in order to simultaneously enhance food security and ecological benefits. Agroforestry is one of the helpful practices, because woody perennials are intentionally intercropped with animals and crops on the same portion of land. This study was conducted to assess the production of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) under Eucalyptus grandis tree plantations in Dedza, Malawi. Beans and potatoes were planted along rows of Eucalyptus trees of ages 3, 4 and 5 years;and open field as control in plot sizes of 4m x 2m in a completely randomized design in three replicates. The parameters assessed were germination;leaf area index (LAI);and yield. The results indicate that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences on crops germination, LAI as well as yield among difference age groups of tree plantations. Similarly, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences on germination between crops under trees and in open field. However, crops grown under Eucalyptus trees of 3 years had a higher mean germination of 92.26±4.17% for beans and 90.15±5.04% for potatoes. Likewise, crops under 3 years plantation had a higher mean LAI of 1.24±0.06 for beans and 1.69±0.05 for potatoes. Equally, crops under Eucalyptus grandis of 3 years had a higher mean yield of 0.23±0.01 t/ha for beans and 5.35±0.20 t/ha for potatoes. There was a strong positive correlation between yield and LAI for both potatoes (r = 0.997, P<0.001) and beans (r = 0.964, P<0.001). Therefore, beans and potatoes can be produced under Eucalyptus grandis trees as an agroforestry system to enhance food security, but further study is needed for other Eucalyptus species.