Effect of spacing of Casuarina equisetifolia on growth and yield of intercrops in farmlands

Agroforestry systems address global challenges such as land degradation and food insecurity by enhancing soil fertility, conserving biodiversity, optimizing land use and diversifying food and income sources. This study examined the effect of spacing variations of Casuarina equisetifolia on the growth and yield of seven intercrops during the third plantation cycle. The research assessed how varying tree densities, resulting from four tree spacing treatments influence intercrop performance. From the results, it was found that wider spacing (2 m × 2 m) consistently produced the best results, with significant improvements in plant height, collar diameter, dry matter production and crop yield. The findings offer important information on improving tree-crop interactions to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable land management.