How does agroforestry change the technical and economic performance of farms? Agroforestry is ubiquitous among the farmers who are part of the project. We seek to understand the interests and constraints involved
Soft pruned treatment Modality where the trees are pruned to obtain a log of lumber and where the competition for light will be the strongest.
To what extent do trees affect soil fertility? These orange landmarks distinguish plots in crops and on the line of trees where macrofauna are monitored and where the physico-chemical characteristics of soils are assessed.
How can the agroforestry systems function as close as possible to the reality of farms? The ARBRATATOUILLE project has adopted a participatory research approach that brings together researchers and farmers on their farms.
How is the water resource of the soil divided between trees and crops? This solar panel supplies sensors (tensiometers, TDR probes, sap flow) to carry out water balances at the scale of crops and trees. o
Pollarded treatment The trees were completely folded down around the main frames.
To what extent do trees impact the microclimate? This small white shelter houses a temperature and humidity sensor that records year-round, continuous temperature and relative humidity conditions.
How trees affect market gardening ? Every year we follow the growth, development and agronomic performance of crops (yield and quality).
Strong pruned treatment The trees were pruned in the nacelle for 6 metres in height to reduce the houppier to 4 m in diameter. That is 2 to 3 times less than the classical pruning modality.
How does agroforestry affect the natural regulation of bio-aggressors? We monitor and quantify the damage done to crops by the bio-aggressors and then measure the abundance and activity of the auxiliaries present that can regulate them.
Full sun controlThis is the control, no trees. It’s an old piece of poplar that was felled in 2012.
