Njuki, Margaret. W.2025-09-222025-09-221998https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6994Master's ThesisA study was conducted to assess the root distribution of Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus and Zea mays (maize) when intercropped and that of maize when monocropped. The effect of leucaena and calliandra prunings on maize was also evaluated both under monocropping and intercropping. The prunings were applied at a rate of 6.7 tons/ha in two splits. Measurements were made of soil moisture, fine root biomass, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, above ground dry matter yield, leaf area index and maize grain yield. The hedge trees were found to have a considerable amount of fine root biomass in the zone occupied by the maize roots with leucaena being more superficially rooted than calliandra. The maize fine root biomass was higher in alley cropping compared to monocropping. Addition of prunings reduced the maize fine root biomass. Comparing the maize and tree fine root biomass at both depths, the maize plants had more biomass at both depths than the trees. Trenching slightly improved grain yields though this was not significant. Application of prunings improved maize crop yields as compared to the control and fertilizer treatment. Soil moisture competition did not feature in the experiment since there was plenty of rainfall during the growing season. Based on the fine root distribution, calliandra emerged a better alley cropping tree than leucaena in this experiment.enRoot distributionbelow ground interactions-alley croppingleucaena leucocephalaMaize- embuKenya.Thesis