Tree rows and grass-strips increase water availability in fruit tree-crop agroforestry systems on sloping land

Soil water conservation in upland agroforestry systems is complex due to slope-induced variability in water distribution. This study compared a mango- and longan-based agroforestry system with sole-maize cropping over two years in Thailand. Results showed that available soil water content (ASWC) was generally higher in agroforestry plots, especially upslope of tree rows, and varied by tree species and season. Maize yields were lower downslope due to competition for water and nutrients, though water was not a limiting factor overall. The findings highlight the importance of slope position, tree species, and rainfall timing in managing soil water for productivity in agroforestry systems, offering insights for sustainable land use in sloped landscapes.

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