Harold Watson NFTs have distinct potential as a source of fixed nitrogen for improving farm productivity when interplanted with agricultural crops.
Additional advantages occur in microclimatic improvement, nutrient cycling, and soil conservation.
Appropriate planting and management techniques can make large amounts of nitrogen and other nutrients available to the associated crops. In contrast, wide-row intercropping is a less intensive system with more emphasis on tree products. And finally, trees are also used as support for vining crop species. Rows of trees should be planted on contour lines, now universally advised. Planting of trees on contours not only leads to improved erosion control, but also forms a permanent marker on the contours for the farmer.