Productivity of cotton and sorghum in an agroforestry system of shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa gaertn) in northern Benin

This study evaluates the productivity of cotton and sorghum in a shea-based agroforestry system in northernBenin. Tomboutou and Gounarou villages were respectively selected in the shea parklands of Bembereke and Kandi. Within each parkland and village, three classes of tree crown diameter for shea trees (4 -8 m, 8 -10 mand i.e., average plant height and average biomass, dropped by 9.75% and 29.31%, respectively, when planted under the crown. Cotton under the crown was 6.58% shorter compared to plants outside the crown. Average bud production and average fresh biomass for cotton plants was 13.06% and 36.06% less, respectively, when planted under the crown of shea trees.