ABSTRACT
Individuals and institutions in the world’s temperate regions are increasingly taking notice of the science and art of alley cropping. This is due in part to growing concerns over the long-term sustainability of intensive monocultural systems. In the temperate context, alley cropping involves the planting of timber, fruit, or nut trees in single or multiple rows on agricultural lands, with crops or forages cultivated in the alleyways (Garrett and McGraw, 2000). Major purposes of this type of agroforestry system include production of tree or wood products along with crops or forage; improvement of crop or forage quality and quantity by enhancement of microclimatic conditions; improved utilization and recycling of soil nutrients for crop or forage use; control of subsurface water levels; and provision of favorable habitats for plant, insect, or animal species beneficial to crops or forage (USDA, 1996; Garrett and McGraw, 2000).
