Aboveground nutrient components of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. grandis in semiarid Brazil under the nature and the mycorrhizal inoculation conditions

A study was conducted to evaluate the aboveground biomass, nutrient content and the percentages of mycorrhizal colonization in Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus grandis plantations in the semiarid region (15° 09′ S 43° 49′ W) in the north of the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Results show that the total above-ground biomass (dry matter) was 33.6 Mg·ha⁻¹ for E. camaldulensis and 53.1 Mg·ha⁻¹ for E. grandis. The biomass of the stem wood, leaves, branches, and stem bark for E. camaldulensis accounted for 64.4%, 19.6%, 15.4%, and 0.6% of the total biomass, respectively (Table 2); meanwhile a similar partition of the total above-ground biomass was also found for E. grandis. The dry matter of leaves and branches of E. camaldulensis accounted for 35% of total biomass, and the contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S in leaves and branches accounted for 15.5%, 0.7%, 12.3%, 22.6%, 1.9%, and 1.4% of those in total above-ground biomass, respectively. In the trunk (bark and wood), nutrient accumulation in general was lower. Nutrient content of E. grandis presented little variation compared with that of E. camaldulensis. Wood localized in superior parts of trunk presented a higher concentration of P and bark contained significant amounts of nutrients, especially in E. grandis. This indicated that leaving vegetal waste is of importance on the site in reducing the loss of tree productivity in this semi-arid region. The two species showed mycotrophy.     

Estimates of above-ground biomass and nutrient accumulation in Mimosa scabrella fallows in southern Brazil

Naturally regenerated stands of bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) are harvested for firewood after six to eight years of unregulated growth, debris burnt and the area planted to one cycle of intercropped maize (Zea mays L.) and beans (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.). Burning breaks dormancy of bracatinga seed (> 80% germination) marking the onset of a new fallow-crop cycle. This production system has been practiced for nearly 100 years in Southern Brazil, covering some 60,000 ha in 3,000 small farms. An estimation of above-ground biomass and nutrient accumulation was made using literature data on stand age, population numbers, tree sizes, tree biomass partitioning and concentration of major nutrients in tree tissues. A simple simulation model, used to quantify above-ground nutrient pathways and their temporal dynamics, confirmed that six to eight years is the optimal rotation length. Biomass and nutrients deposited onto the soil, peak at stand age six years, which may result in significant soil fertility improvement prior to crop planting. At year six, estimated total above-ground biomass amounts to 83 Mg ha^–1; 44 Mg ha^–1 available as firewood and 39 Mg ha^–1 to be returned to the soil. Roughly half the amount of nutrients fixed in the above-ground bracatinga biomass would be exported in firewood and subsequent grain crops.     

Biomass production and carbon sequestration of dense downy birch stands on cutaway peatlands

The establishment of biomass plantations with short-rotation forestry principles is one of the after-use options for cutaway peatlands. We studied biomass production and carbon sequestration in the above- and below-ground biomass of 25 naturally afforested, 10–30 years old downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) stands located in peat cutaway areas in Finland. Self-thinning reduced the stand density from 122,000 trees ha^?1 (stand age of 10 years) to 10,000 trees ha^?1 (25–30 years), while the leafless above-ground biomass increased from 17?Mg ha^?1 up to 79–116?Mg ha^?1. The total leafless biomass (including stumps and roots) varied from 46 to 151?Mg ha^?1. The mean annual increment (MAI) of the above-ground biomass increased up to the stand age of 15 years, after which the MAI was on the average 3.2?Mg ha^?1a^?1. With below-ground biomass, the MAI of the stands older than 15 years was 4.7?Mg ha^?1. The organic matter accumulated in the O-layer on the top of the residual peat increased linearly with the stand age, reaching 29.3?Mg ha^?1 in the oldest stand. The O-layer contributed significantly to the C sink, and the afforestation with downy birch converted most of sites into C sinks.     

Nutrient store and export rates of Eucalyptus urograndis plantations in eastern Amazonia (Jari)

Nutrient loss due to export of wood and bark of 4.5-year-old Eucalyptus urograndis was studied in the Jari project, eastern Amazonia, Brazil. Results are based on estimates of biomass, above-ground nutrient store, and nutrient stores in the soil. Thirteen stands varying in site conditions and the number of previous rotations (up to three), were studied. Average nutrient losses due to export of wood and bark, as a percentage of the element store in the above-ground tree biomass, were: N, 65%, P, 54%; Ca, 76%; K, 57%; Mg, 61%. A comparison of export losses with the present soil stores of Ca, K and Mg cations shows that export is equal to or surpasses the remaining soil store to a depth of 100 cm. As a result of the last narvest, about 200–250 kg Ca and about 100 kg K ha⁻¹ were removed. In spite of uncertainties about other unknown inputs and outputs, one has to conclude that the next rotation may be endangered by acute deficiency of mineral nutrients, especially of Ca.     

Nutrient cycling within a 27-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation in New South Wales

A 27-year-old stand of flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden) in the North Coast Region of N.S.W. was assessed in relation to aboveground distribution and turnover of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Of the 453 t ha^?1 of aboveground organic matter present, 394 t was in the tree, 42 t in the understorey and 28 t in the forest floor. The total nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium contents of the stand were 739, 44, 1254 and 658 kg ha^?1, respectively, and the understorey contained 35%, 35%, 16%, 24% and 49% of the above-ground distribution of these nutrients respectively. Although the developing rainforest understorey comprised a relatively small portion (9.3%) of the total aboveground biomass, it played a disproportionate role in nutrient accumulation and uptake, and had an annual net accumulation of 14%, 55%, 59%, 30%, 44% and 69% of the aboveground organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium respectively. The net annual removal from the soil was 30, 1, 38, 5 and 31 kg ha^?1 year^?1 for nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium, respectively. Flooded gum had very high accumulations of calcium in the bark and the effect of this in nutrient cycling is discussed. An idealised management system, to exploit and optimise the nutrient cycle of flooded gum, has been hypothesided.     

巴西半干旱地区自然条件和菌根菌接种条件下赤桉和大桉地上生物量营养成分分析(英文)

对巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州北部半干旱地区(15°09’S43°49’W)的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis)和大桉(Eucalyptus grandis)人工林的地上生物量、营养成分含量和菌根菌定植百分率进行了调查和分析。结果表明,赤按和大桉人工林的总地上生物量分别为33.6Mg·hm-2和153.1Mg·hm-2。赤桉树干、叶子、枝条和树皮的生物量分别占总生物量的64.4%,19.6%,15.4%,0.6%,大桉地上生物量的分配与赤按基本相同。赤桉叶子和枝条的干物质占其总生物量的35%,叶子和枝条中的N,P,K,Ca,Mg,and S的含量分别占总生物量这些营养元素的15.5%,0.7%,12.3%,22.6%,19%,1.4%。树干(包括树皮)中的营养成分累积相对比较低。与赤桉相比,大桉的营养含量变化较小。这2个树种的树干上部含有高浓度的磷,树皮也含有大量的营养物质,尤其是大桉;说明在半干旱地区,立地上脱落的植物性废物对降低树木生产力损失有重要意义。赤桉和大桉都有菌根营养。     

Biomass production, foliar and root characteristics and nutrient accumulation in young silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stand growing on abandoned agricultural land

The above-ground biomass and production, below-ground biomass, nutrient (NPK) accumulation, fine roots and foliar characteristics of a 8-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula) natural stand, growing on abandoned agricultural land in Estonia, were investigated. Total above-ground biomass and current annual production after eight growing seasons was 31.2 and 11.9 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively. The production of stems accounted for 62.4% and below-ground biomass accounted for 19.2% of the total biomass of the stand. Carbon sequestration in tree biomass reaches roughly 17.5 t C ha⁻¹ during the first 8 years. The biomass of the fine roots (d < 2 mm) was 1.7 ± 0.2 t DM ha⁻¹ and 76.2% of it was located in the 20 cm topsoil layer. The leaf area index (LAI) of the birch stand was estimated as 3.7 m² m⁻² and specific leaf area (SLA) 15.0 ± 0.1 m² kg⁻¹. The impact of the crown layer on SLA was significant as the leaves are markedly thicker in the upper part of the crown compared with the lower part. The short-root specific area (SRA) in the 30 cm topsoil was 182.9 ± 9.5 m² kg⁻¹, specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD) and the number of short-root tips (>95% ectomycorrhizal) per dry mass unit of short roots were 145.3 ± 8.6 m g⁻¹, 58.6 ± 3.0 kg m⁻³ and 103.7 ± 5.5 tips mg⁻¹, respectively. In August the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, accumulated in above ground biomass, was 192.6, 25.0 and 56.6 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The annual flux of N and P retranslocation from the leaves to the other tree parts was 57.2 and 3.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (55 and 27%), respectively, of which 29.1 kg ha⁻¹ N and 2.8 kg ha⁻¹ P were accumulated in the above-ground part of the stand.     

Above- and below-ground biomass dynamics in a sole cropping and an alley cropping system withGliricidia sepium in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of West Africa

A considerable amount of data is available about above-ground biomass production and turnover in tropical agroforestry systems, but quantitative information concerning root turnover is lacking. Above- and below-ground biomass dynamics were studied during one year in an alley cropping system withGliricidia sepium and a sole cropping system, on aPlinthic Lixisol in the semi-deciduous rainforest zone of the Côte d'Ivoire. Field crops were maize and groundnut. Live root mass was higher in agroforestry than in sole cropping during most of the study period. This was partly due to increased crop and weed root development and partly to the presence of the hedgerow roots. Fine root production was higher in the alleys and lower under the hedgerows compared to the sole cropping plots. Considering the whole plot area, root production in agroforestry and sole cropping systems was approximatly similar with 1000–1100 kg ha^–1 (dry matter with 45% C) in 0–50 cm depth; about 55% of this root production occured in the top 10 cm. Potential sources of error of the calculation method are discussed on the basis of the compartment flow model. Above-ground biomass production was 11.1 Mg ha^–1 in sole cropping and 13.6 Mg ha^–1 in alley cropping, of which 4.3 Mg ha^–1 were hedgerow prunings. The input of hedgerow root biomass into the soil was limited by the low root mass ofGliricidia as compared to other tree species, and by the decrease of live root mass of hedgerows and associated perennial weeds during the cropping season, presumably as a result of frequent shoot pruning.     

云南省云杉立木生物量模型研建

以云南云杉为研究对象,对云杉地上生物量和地下生物量模型进行研建。建立云杉地上总生物量、树干、树冠、干材、干皮、树枝、树叶独立模型与材积相容模型,采用分级联合控制和度量误差模型方法,建立地上总生物量和所有分量相容的立木生物量模型,建立根茎比模型对云杉地下生物量进行估计。结果表明：建立的云杉地上总生物量、树干、干材生物量二元模型预估精度均达95％以上,干皮生物量模型预估精度达94％以上,树冠、树叶、树枝生物量的预估精度均在92％以上,地下生物量模型预估精度在88％以上;所建立的模型可以用于云杉生物量的估计。     

Below- and above-ground biomass and net primary production in a paleotropical natural forest (Sulawesi,Indonesia) as compared to neotropical forests

Data on the biomass and productivity of southeast Asian tropical forests are rare, making it difficult to evaluate the role of these forest ecosystems in the global carbon cycle and the effects of increasing deforestation rates in this region. In particular, more precise information on size and dynamics of the root system is needed. In six natural forest stands at pre-montane elevation (c. 1000 m a.s.l.) on Sulawesi (Indonesia), we determined above-ground biomass and the distribution of fine (d < 2 mm) and coarse roots (d > 2 mm), estimated above- and below-ground net production, and compared the results to literature data from other pre-montane paleo- and neotropical forests. The mean total biomass of the stands was 303 Mg ha⁻¹ (or 128 Mg C ha⁻¹), with the largest biomass fraction being recorded for the above-ground components (286 Mg ha⁻¹) and 11.2 and 5.6 Mg ha⁻¹ of coarse and fine root biomass (down to 300 cm in the soil profile), resulting in a remarkably high shoot:root ratio of c. 17. Fine root density in the soil profile showed an exponential decrease with soil depth that was closely related to the concentrations of base cations, soil pH and in particular of total P and N. The above-ground biomass of these stands was found to be much higher than that of pre-montane forests in the Neotropics, on average, but lower compared to other pre-montane forests in the Paleotropics, in particular when compared with dipterocarp forests in Malesia. The total above- and below-ground net primary production was estimated at 15.2 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (or 6.7 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) with 14% of this stand total being invested below-ground and 86% representing above-ground net primary production. Leaf production was found to exceed net primary production of stem wood. The estimated above-ground production was high in relation to the mean calculated for pre-montane forests on a global scale, but it was markedly lower compared to data on dipterocarp forests in South-east Asia. We conclude that the studied forest plots on Sulawesi follow the general trend of higher biomasses and productivity found for paleotropical pre-montane forest compared to neotropical ones. However, biomass stocks and productivity appear to be lower in these Fagaceae-rich forests on Sulawesi than in dipterocarp forests of Malesia.     

Productivity and nutrient cycling of a Javanese homegarden

In a 0.13 ha homegarden in West Java, Indonesia, a 16-week study of production, nutrient in- and outputs as well as internal circulation was carried out in 1989. Total annual agricultural production was 11.4 t ha^–1, of which 6.8 t ha^–1 were timber and firewood. Two thirds of the production was sold, the rest consumed by the owners. The productivity is more than twice the productivity of ricefields in the area, but can be raised further. Nutrient inputs in rainfall, streamwater and via N-fixation were estimated to a total of: 33 kg N, 7 kg P, 115 kg K, 79 kg Ca and 55 kg Mg ha^–1 yr^–1. Outputs in streamwater, harvest sold and erosion were estimated at: 42 kg N, 11 kg P, 151 kg K, 278 kg Ca and 83 kg Mg. Litterfall and pruning returned 10.0 and 7.5 t dry matter, respectively, per hectare to the soil annually. Throughfall was on average 92% of incident rainfall. Total amounts of nutrients circulated internally in the homegarden each year were estimated at: 223 kg N, 38 kg P, 373 kg K, 135 kg Ca and 50 kg Mg per hectare. This corresponded to 22, 44, 50, 20 and 30% of nutrients stored in the plant biomass, respectively. The balance is negative for all elements, the magnitude depending on whether the part of harvest consumed by the family itself is regarded as internal circulation or as an output. Compared to available soil reserves the system is likely to be sustainable for many years ahead, but may be vulnerable because of the high fraction of plant nutrient storage cycled annually.     

Biomass production of Eucalyptus boundary plantations and their effect on crop productivity on Ethiopian highland Vertisols

In recent years, Eucalyptus globulus planted along field boundaries has come to dominate the central highland landscape of Ethiopia. Although evidence is scanty, there is a perception that this practice adversely affects crop productivity. An on-farm trial was conducted on Pellic Vertisol at Ginchi to determine the production potential of eucalypt boundaries and their effect on the productivity of adjacent crops of tef (Eragrostis tef) and wheat (Triticum sp.). The experiment comprised three stand ages, four field aspects and six distances from the tree-crop interface, using a split-split plot design with three replicates. Wood production rates ranged between 168 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ (four years old) and 2901 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ (twelve years). Thus eucalypt boundaries planted on a hectare of land would satisfy 50 to 75% of the annual biomass energy requirement of a rural household of five persons. Significant depression of tef and wheat yields occurred over the first 12m from the tree line: the reduction was 20 to 73% for tef and 20 to 51% for wheat, equivalent to yield losses of 4.4 to 26% and 4.5 to 10% per hectare respectively. Nevertheless, in financial terms, the tree component adequately compensated for crop yield reduction and even generated additional income. Therefore, eucalypt boundaries have great potential to satisfy the rising demand for wood, without requiring a major change in land use on the highland Vertisols. The greater availability of wood will reduce the demand for dung and crop residues for fuel, and thus may contribute to improved soil management on croplands while relieving the increasing pressure on indigenous forest and woodlands.     

Nutrient export and harvest residue decomposition patterns of a Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden plantation in temperate climate of Uruguay

The potential export of nutrients from Eucalyptus plantations harvested for pulp production may be high. However, depending on the harvest method, the nutrients from the residue can be recycled. The aims of this study were (i) to quantify the content and distribution of nutrients in different residue components at harvest for a Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden plantation; and (ii) to quantify the decomposition rates of the harvest residues, and the return of nutrients to the soil in the temperate climate conditions of Uruguay. Six trees of a 9-year-old E. dunnii plantation with average diameter at breast-height (DBH) were harvested, and the biomass produced and the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in commercial and non-commercial logs, leaves, branches, bark and litter were estimated. Decomposition of the remains of leaves, branches, non-commercial logs, bark and litter was studied in the field for 2 years. Although commercial logs accounted for 61% of the biomass produced, only 27% of the N, 35% of the P, 18% of the K, 16% of the Ca and 41% of the Mg present in the forest were exported with the product. When logs are exported without de-barking in the site, the nutrient export would increase to 41%, 55%, 46%, 68% and 66% of the total extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg, respectively. Residue decomposition showed that the leaves lost the highest proportion of biomass (half life 0.86 years), and bark was most resistant to decomposition in the field (half life 5.36 years). As regards the nutrients, K was lost most rapidly and Ca showed the slowest loss, while N, P and Mg losses were generally more gradual, and proportional to the decomposition rate.     

Estimating carbon sequestration potential of existing agroforestry systems in India

India launched National Agroforestry Policy on 10th February, 2014 which has the potential to substantially reduce poverty in rural India and revive wood based industry, besides integrating food production with environmental services. The policy is not only crucial to India’s ambitious goal of achieving 33 per cent forest and tree cover but also to mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture sector. Dynamic CO2FIX-v3.1 model has been used to estimate the carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of existing agroforestry systems (AFS) for simulation period of 30 years in twenty six districts from ten selected states of India. The observed number of trees on farmers’ field in these districts varied from 1.81 to 204 per hectare with an average value of 19.44 trees per hectare. The biomass in the tree component varied from 0.58 to 48.50 Mg DM ha^?1, whereas, the total biomass (tree and crop) ranged from 4.96 to 58.96 Mg DM ha^?1. The soil organic carbon ranged from 4.28 to 24.13 Mg C ha^?1. The average estimated carbon sequestration potential of the AFS, representing varying edapho-climatic conditions, on farmers field at country level was 0.21 Mg C ha^?1yr^?1. At national level, existing AFS are estimated to mitigate 109.34 million tons CO₂ annually, which may offsets one-third (33 %) of the total GHG emissions from agriculture sector.     

Nutrient stocks of short-term fallows on a high base status soil in the humid tropics of Papua New Guinea

In order to understand nutrient dynamics in tropical farming systems with fallows, it is necessary to assess changes in nutrient stocks in plants, litter and soils. Nutrient stocks (soil, above ground biomass, litter) were assessed of one-year old fallows with Piper aduncum, Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea. The experiment was conducted on a high base status soil (Typic Eutropepts), and in Papua New Guinea such soils are intensively used for agriculture. Soil samples were taken prior to fallow establisment and after one year when the fallows were slashed and above ground biomass and nutrients measured. The above ground and litter biomass of piper was 13.7 Mg dry matter ha^-1, compared to 23.3 Mg ha^-1 of gliricidia and 14.9 Mg ha^-1 of imperata. Gliricidia produced almost 7 Mg ha^-1 wood. Total above ground biomass returned to the soil when the fallows were slashed was the same for piper and gliricidia (8 Mg ha^-1). Gliricidia accumulated the largest amounts of all major nutrients except for K, which was highest in the above ground piper biomass. Imperata biomass contained the lowest amount of nutrients. The largest stocks of C, N, Ca and Mg were found in the soil, whereas the majority of P was found in the above ground biomass and litter. Almost half of the total K stock of piper and gliricidia was in the biomass. During the fallow period, soil organic C significantly increased under gliricidia fallow whereas no net changes occurred in piper and imperata fallows. The study has shown large differences in biomass and nutrient stocks between the two woody fallows (piper, gliricidia) and between the woody fallows and the non-woody fallow (imperata). Short-term woody fallows are to be preferred above grass (imperata) fallows in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea because of higher nutrient stocks.     

Nitrogen-fixation dynamics in a cut-and-carry silvopastoral system in the subhumid conditions of Guadeloupe, French Antilles

This paper summarizes several studies on N recycling in a tropical silvopastoral system for assessing the ability of the system to increase soil fertility and insure sustainability. We analyzed the N₂ fixation pattern of the woody legume component (Gliricidia sepium), estimated the recycling rate of the fixed N in the soil, and measured N outputs in tree pruning and cut grass (Dichanthium aristatum). With this information, we estimated the N balance of the silvopastoral system at the plot scale. The studies were conducted in an 11-year-old silvopastoral plot established by planting G. sepium cuttings at 0.3 m × 2 m spacing in natural grassland. The plot was managed as a cut-and-carry system where all the tree pruning residues (every 2-4 months) and cut grass (every 40-50 days) were removed and animals were excluded. No N fertilizer was applied. Dinitrogen fixation, as estimated by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, ranged from 60-90% of the total N in aboveground tree biomass depending on season. On average, 76% of the N exports from the plot in tree pruning (194 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) originated from N₂ fixation. Grass production averaged 13 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1 and N export in cut grass was 195 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. The total N fixed by G. sepium, as estimated from the tree and grass N exports and the increase in soil N content, was about 555 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1. Carbon sequestration averaged 1.9 Mg [C] ha^–1 yr^–1 and soil organic N in the 0-0.2 m layer increased at a rate of 166 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1, corresponding to 30% of N₂ fixation by the tree. Nitrogen released in nodule turnover (10 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) and litter decomposition (40 kg [N] ha^–1 yr^–1) contributed slightly to this increase, and most of the recycled N came from the turnover or the activity of other below-ground tree biomass than nodules. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of paper mill sludge and weed control on competing vegetation and growth of young red pine

In September, 1988, a paper mill sludge from Georgia-Pacific Corporation's wastewater treatment facility in Port Edwards, WI., was applied to a 4- and 6-year-old red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantation. Sludge was applied using industrial spreaders at rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Mg ha^-1. Twenty-one months following treatment, above-ground biomass production of sedge (Carex spp.), the predominant understory component, was increased by as much as 85% from the 40 Mg ha^-1 rate relative to the control. The increase in dry matter production coincided with significant increases in above- and below-ground levels of N, P and K. Weed control performed in August, 1989, resulted in reduced levels of woody and herbaceous vegetation, without a concomitant effect on red pine performance. Possible reasons for this lack of response are discussed within this paper.     

Analysis of nutrient depletion in a radiata pine plantation

A trial in an 11-year-old stand of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) was used to analyse the effects of accelerated loss of nutrients from the site on forest productivity and nutrient status. Raking of litter was undertaken over 14 years prior to thinning, then for 2 years after thinning at which time the trial was destroyed in a wind storm. The experimental design was a factorial of three main treatments: (i) removal (raking) versus nil removal of the forest floor, (ii) replacement or non replacement of nutrients to adjust for imbalances between nutrients in litter and those in the tree stem, and (iii) complete replacement (or not) of all nutrients removed in the litter. Additionally, a small trial was incorporated to address components of physical aspects of litter removal by comparing raking with ‘raking and a cover of woven plastic mesh’. Raking and nutrient additions were carried out approximately every 6 months.Over the study period, the raking treatment removed about 75 Mg ha⁻¹ of organic material with contained nutrients (559 kg ha⁻¹ of N, 68 kg ha⁻¹ of P, 323 kg ha⁻¹ of Ca, 91 kg ha⁻¹ of Mg, 243 kg ha⁻¹ of K, 0.9 kg ha⁻¹ of B) and this related to about four normal sawlog harvests or one total tree harvest. Up to the time of thinning, raking reduced basal area increment by 25% while raking together with replacement of nutrients reduced this by about 12%. Nutrient additions to unraked plots led to increases of up to 14% in basal area increment. The raking treatment reduced foliage nitrogen and this was correlated with reduced growth while other nutrients such as boron and sulphur were reduced but not to a degree to affect growth or health. The results were used to assess the effects on soil nutrient status and growth of different harvesting regimes (wood only, wood plus bark, total tree).     

新疆云杉一体化立木生物量模型系统研建

[目的]研究建立地上生物量与地下生物量、立木材积之间相容,以及地上生物量与各分量之间可加的一体化生物量模型系统,为准确估计森林生物量提供定量依据。[方法]以新疆自治区的云杉(Picea spp.)为研究对象,基于230株和78株样木的实测地上生物量、树干材积和地下生物量数据,综合利用误差变量联立方程组方法和哑变量建模方法,研究建立集地上生物量、树干材积和地下生物量为一体,兼具相容性和可加性的二元和一元生物量模型系统,并分析一元模型是否受地域的影响。[结果]所建云杉一元和二元一体化生物量模型系统,地上生物量方程的平均预估误差在7%以下,干、皮、枝、叶各分项生物量方程的平均预估误差在10%左右,地下生物量方程的平均预估误差在15%以下,均达到了相关技术规定的预估精度要求。除了干材和树皮生物量的估计效果不如二元模型外,一元模型对其它各项生物量的估计均要优于二元模型。比例控制法和代数控制法均能解决地上生物量与干、皮、枝、叶各分项生物量之间的可加性问题,且两种方法得出的模型预估结果无显著差异。[结论]将哑变量引入误差变量联立方程组,不仅能解决地上生物量和地下生物量样本单元数不相等时如何联合建模的问题,还能同时解决地上生物量与地下生物量和立木材积之间的相容性问题及地上生物量与各分量之间的可加性问题,方法切实可行;对地上生物量、地下生物量及立木材积的估计,含区域因子的哑变量模型均要优于总体平均模型。     

Biomass production and root distribution of Gmelina arborea under an agrisilviculture system in subhumid tropics of Central India

A study of an agrisilviculture system comprising Gmelina arborea and soybean (Glycine max) was conducted in the subhumid region of Central India. Above- and below-ground biomass production and distribution of coarse and fine roots were studied in 4-year-old G. arborea, planted at a spacing of 2 × 2 m, 2 × 3 m, 2 × 4 m and 2 × 5 m. The total biomass varied from 10.89 Mg ha^–1 to 3.65 Mg ha^–1 depending on the tree density. Among the different tree components, stemwood contributed maximum biomass (54.3–79.4%), followed by branches and leaves. Root distribution pattern showed that most of the coarse roots were distributed in the top 40 cm of soil, whereas fine roots were concentrated in the top 20 cm. Coarse root biomass decreased with an increase in spacing. The spread of roots was asymmetrical in trees planted at 2 × 2 m and 2 × 3 m spacings, while it was symmetrical in trees planted at wide spacings. No significant difference was observed in the fine root biomass in different stands. The root:shoot ratio increased with an increase in spacing. Crop (soybean) growth and productivity varied significantly and it increased with a decrease in tree density. Soybean yield varied between 1.5 Mg ha^–1 to 2.1 Mg ha^–1. The role of root architecture of G. arborea trees on productivity of crops under agri-silviculture system is discussed.