Agromorphological Characterization of a Rubber Tree-Teak Agroforestry System in Central Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Aims: Faced with environmental issues, soil degradation and the scarcity of arable land, farmers are adopting several cropping practices, including agroforestry. It is in this context that a study entitled “Agromorphological characterization of a rubber tree-teak agroforestry system in central Côte d’Ivoire” was carried out in order to assess the effects of this crop combination on the agromorphological parameters of these crops. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Lomo Sud, a village in the city of Toumodi (central Côte d’Ivoire) from February to August 2022. Methodology: Two experiments were carried out on two plots, a rubber tree one and a teak one. On the rubber tree plot, ten treatments were defined depending on their proximity to teak. On the teak plot, seven treatments were determined depending on their proximity to rubber trees. On each plot, the experimental design was in one tree plot design. The parameters taken into account in the study on rubber trees were stand, girth, rubber yield and rate of tapping panel dryness. For teak, the parameters assessed were stand, girth, straightness, cylindricity, branching, pruning and health condition. Results: For rubber trees, the results showed that teak negatively influenced the number of rubber trees under tapping, growth and rubber yield, which were reduced by 125, 18 and 110%, respectively. For teak, the results showed that rubber trees positively influenced the growth, straightness, branching and pruning of teak. Conclusion: The rubber tree-teak agroforestry system assessed in central Côte d'Ivoire is beneficial for teak but detrimental to rubber trees.