Effects of agriculture crops on trees

Agriculture crops compete with tree seedlings for nutrient, water, light and space, particularly during the first few years. If this competition is intense, it will adversely affect the growth and survival rate of trees. Agriculture crops like maize, sugarcane etc overtop the trees species during the first 1-2 years of plantation establishment. Trees suffer as light availability is considerably reduced. Some other agriculture crops such as beans, cow-pea climbs on the saplings and deform their stem creating problem in growth.

Cultivation practice applied for growing agriculture crops also affects the growth and survival rate of trees. Intensive working of surface soil often destroys the surface root systems of trees. When roots are damaged, trees will not be able in full absorption of water and nutrients from the soil.