Agroforestry for Weed Control and Diversification in NW Spain Horticulture

Agroforestry in NW Spain’s horticultural regions integrates trees, crops, and livestock to combat erosion, soil acidity, weed pressure, and input dependency. Systems like silvopastoral, agrosilvopastoral, and alley cropping enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce herbicide use through natural weed control and nutrient cycling. Controlled grazing of sheep, cattle, or Celtic pigs manages understory vegetation, while tree-crop-livestock interactions increase farm resilience and labour efficiency. Species selection, spacing, and grazing management are critical to prevent competition. Supported by EU Horizon 2020, AFINET, AF4EU, and regional networks, agroforestry enables sustainable weed control and farm diversification in small-scale Galician farms.