The role of leguminous cover crops in sustainable production of oil palm (elaeis guinensis) - a review

Abstract

The goal of sustainable agriculture is to maintain or improve production at levels necessary to meet the increasing aspirations of an expanding world population without degrading the environment. Leguminous cover crops have the potential for obtaining high and sustainable crop yields. They have been shown to play an important role in weed suppression, nutrition, growth and yield of oil palm. They also play an important role in soil erosion control and soil moisture conservation in plantations. The development of sound sustainable and productive cropping systems such as the incorporation of legumes in oil palm plantations is therefore of paramount importance. This paper reviews some research carried out on leguminous cover crops in oil palm plantations in the light of the current emphasis on sustainability of tropical agriculture.

JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 1 Number 2, January (1999) pp. 148-157