Yield of plantain alley cropped with Leucaena leucocephala and Flemingia macrophylla in Kumasi, Ghana

The decline in yield of plantain has partly been attributed to inadequate soil moisture and pests, particularly nematodes. The objectives of the study therefore were to determine the effect of mulch from Leucaena leucocephala and Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merr. grown as hedgerows on (i) soil moisture and temperature (ii) growth and yield of plantain and (iii) pathogenic nematode populations. The study was conducted from 1991 to 1994 in Kumasi, Ghana. Treatments comprised of leguminous plants, L. leucocephala and F. macrophylla, and a control (no leguminous plants), arranged in a randomised complete block design with four replications. The leguminous plants were planted in 1991 while the plantain was planted in 1992. Results indicated that the highest biomass yield was produced by F. macrophylla. Mulching with prunings of F. macrophylla resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher retention of soil moisture and lower soil temperatures than mulching with prunings of L. leucocephala. Growth of plantain determined by plant height, leaf production, pseudostem girth and yield were significantly greater in F. macrophylla mulched plots than L. leucocephala treatment and control plots where no mulch was applied. Plant parasitic nematodes isolated were Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Paratylenchus spp., Helicotylenchus spp., and Rotylenchus spp. Three years after planting of hedgerows, significantly (P < 0.05) higher populations of Meloidogyne spp. (367 per 100 g soil), Paratylenchus spp. (92 per 100 g soil), Helicotylenchus spp. (8 per 100 g soil), and Rotylenchus spp. (308 per 100 g soil) were associated with L. leucocephala hedgerow than with Flemingia macrophylla hedgerow (42.0, 83.0 per 100 g soil) and the control (74.50, 41.0 per 100 g soil). F. macrophylla has qualities that suppress nematode populations. The results clearly indicated the superiority of Flemingia macrophylla over Leucaena leucocephala as mulch for plantain production.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The performance of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leucocephala,Flemingia macrophylla andGliricidia sepium in weed control

The performance of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium andFlemingia macrophylla in weed control has been tested in two trials. The length of the period during which a mulch layer yields significantly less weedbiomass compared to the control plots is called the ‘effective life-span’ of the mulch. Of the three mulch materials only that ofF. macrophylla shows promise in retarding weed development. In the second trialF. macrophylla leaf mulch was applied at rates of 3, 6 and 9 tons dry matter per ha. The effective lifespan of a mulch layer of 3 tons is between 12 and 13 weeks. The treatments 6 and 9 tons have effective life-spans of over 14 weeks. For moderate quantities (up to 5 tons of dry leaf mulch per ha) the effective life-span is estimated at about a 100 days. The value of mulching in weed control is limited to the control of weed species that multiply by seed. Regrowth originating from roots or stumps from former vegetation is unlikely to be checked by a mulch layer. The subject of this paper is part of a broader study, presently conducted in Southern Ivory Coast, on the production, agronomical value and use in alley-cropping systems of the species mentioned in the title of the paper. A final report is scheduled for publication in 1988.     

The performance of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leucocephala,Flemingia macrophylla andGliricidia sepium in weed control

The performance of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium andFlemingia macrophylla in weed control has been tested in two trials. The length of the period during which a mulch layer yields significantly less weedbiomass compared to the control plots is called the effective life-span of the mulch.Of the three mulch materials only that ofF. macrophylla shows promise in retarding weed development.In the second trialF. macrophylla leaf mulch was applied at rates of 3, 6 and 9 tons dry matter per ha. The effective lifespan of a mulch layer of 3 tons is between 12 and 13 weeks. The treatments 6 and 9 tons have effective life-spans of over 14 weeks.For moderate quantities (up to 5 tons of dry leaf mulch per ha) the effective life-span is estimated at about a 100 days.The value of mulching in weed control is limited to the control of weed species that multiply by seed. Regrowth originating from roots or stumps from former vegetation is unlikely to be checked by a mulch layer.The subject of this paper is part of a broader study, presently conducted in Southern Ivory Coast, on the production, agronomical value and use in alley-cropping systems of the species mentioned in the title of the paper. A final report is scheduled for publication in 1988.     

Woody legumes as live support systems in yam cultivation

This paper reports on the use of three leguminous perennials (Leucaena leucocephala, Flemingia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium) as live support systems in yam cultivation. In a planting arrangement in which yam rows alternated with rows of the woody species the tuber yields per ha were 3.4 (leucaena), 5.3 (flemingia) and 10.1 (gliricidia) ton fresh weight. TUKEY's L.S.D. value equalled 2.9 ton. Leucaena leucocephala is unsuitable as live support since the species shows a strong competitive power expressed in terms of leaf productivity and relative density of the root mass in the upper soil stratum, the zone explored by the yam crop. Flemingia macrophylla is unsuitable as support species mainly because of its structural weakness: Its branches do not sufficiently lignify to carry the yam leaf mass. The significantly higher tuber yield of the yam crop grown with Gliricidia sepium is a function of specific properties of the tree species: Low leaf productivity, a relatively weakly developed root system and an open architecture, which leaves sufficient space for a yam crop grown in association.     

Screening agroforestry tree mulches for corn growth: a combined soil test,pot trial and plant analysis approach

The response of corn (Zea mays) to incorporated leaf and twig mulches ofLeucaena leucophala, Gliricidia sepium andCassia siamea, andGrevillea robusta as a non-legume comparison was investigated in a 10-week pot trial and a concurrent soil incubation study to evaluate the suitability of various agroforestry trees as mulch sources.Leucaena contributed to the highest N uptake and biomass production of these corn plants, reflecting the benefits of organic mulching.Cassia-treated plants also performed better than the unmulched controls, butGrevillea incorporation suppressed corn growth probably because of the relatively high Mn status of this mulch. Manganese toxicity was confirmed by comparative vector diagnosis of plant nutrient status.Cliricidia mulching resulted in seedling mortality after germination possibly from high soil pH and ammonium toxicity. Mineral N production in mulched soils during the laboratory incubation was well correlated with N uptake in corn shoots. The results suggest that the nutritional effects of agroforestry tree mulches on growth of companion crops may be effectively screened by a combined soil test, pot trial, and plant analysis approach.     

Nutrient composition of the leaf biomass of three selected woody leguminous species

In order to assess the value of leaf biomass the foliar nutrient content of Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla was studied under field conditions. In total 5 series of leaf samples were collected and analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium content over a period of 42 months of growth observation. Results are compared with mean values derived from a literature study. Factors contributing to the variation observed are discussed and suggestions towards variation control are made.     

Weed biomass dynamics in planted fallow systems in the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon

Interest in planted fallow systems has focused on soil fertility improvement, neglecting other potential benefits of such systems. It is important to quantify other processes responsible for crop yield increases under planted fallows, such as weed control. The suppressive potential on weeds of Flemingia macrophylla [(Willd.) Merrill] and Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth, planted fallows was evaluated in field trials in three villages in southern Cameroon. In each village, experiments were set up in 4–5 year-old bush fallow dominated by Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. and 20 year-old secondary forest. Total aboveground biomass production of P. phaseoloides was 7.45 Mg ha⁻¹, 4.2 times higher than F. macrophylla (1.78 Mg ha⁻¹ ; P < 0.05). The high biomass of P. phaseoloides resulted in a significantly greater reduction in total weed biomass compared to Flemingia macrophylla in both wet and dry seasons. In the wet season (11 and 18 MAP), there were significant fallow system × land use and fallow system × village interactions for total weeds and broadleaf weeds. P. phaseoloides in bush (0.55 Mg ha⁻¹), and P. phaseoloides at Ngoumou (0.09 Mg ha⁻¹) had the lowest total weeds in the wet seasons. After the dry season, the lowest total weed mass was consistently recorded in P. phaseoloides while the highest was in the natural regrowth. The population of grasses was always higher in the F. macrophylla system than in P. phaseoloides system throughout the wet and dry seasons. Grass biomass in the P. phaseoloides-forest LUS was the least (0.01 Mg ha⁻¹), 58 times lower than in F. macrophylla-bush (0.58 Mg ha⁻¹). Biomass production of P. phaseoloides was highly significantly correlated with total weed biomass (r = −0.64; P = 0.004) while no relationship was found between biomass production of F. macrophylla and total weed biomass (r = −0.08, P = 0.747). It was concluded that P. phaseoloides was a suitable leguminous species for weed control. But for F. macrophylla, its low biomass production coupled with a compact plant architecture compromised it as an appropriate species for weed control in a planted fallow system.     

Selective control of weeds in an arable crop by mulches from some multipurpose trees in Southwestern Nigeria

The use of agroforestry systems in which pruning from trees is used to mulch the companion crops is an important area of research in the tropics. However, previous studies mostly evaluated the contribution of mulch to soil improvement and rarely examined the effect of mulch on weeds. Field experiments were conducted during the 1995 and 1996 growing seasons to investigate the effects of mulch from three woody fallow species on weed composition, biomass and maize grain yield. Treatments consisted of mulch from Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, and Senna siamea applied at rates of five and three tons dry matter ha^–1 at planting and three weeks after planting (WAP), respectively, an unmulched treatment that received 90 kg N ha^–1 of inorganic fertiliser, and an unmulched control plot that received no fertiliser. In both years and sampling dates, plots mulched with G. sepium and S. siamea had significantly lower weed density and biomass than the control plot in each of the sampling times and year of study. There was no significant difference in either weed density or biomass between the plot mulched with L. leucocephala and the unmulched plots. Mulches from G. sepium and S. siamea reduced weed density and weed biomass, while L. leucocephala was less effective in reducing weed biomass and weed density. Weed reduction by the mulches was in the order G. sepium S. siamea > L. leucocephala. Sedges were the dominant species in all the treatments except in G. sepium plots, where Talinum triangulare and other broadleaved species were dominant.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The decomposition of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leucocephala Gliricidia sepium andFlemingia macrophylla under humid tropical conditions

The decomposition of the leaf mulches ofLeucaena leecocephala, Gliricidia sepium andFlemingia macrophylla has been studied under field conditions. Mulch samples were analysed over a period of 70 days on carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus,potassium, calcium and magnesium left. Loss rates for the elements show similar patterns for the three mulches. Losses of mulch material are caused by decomposition as well as removal by soil-dwelling fauna (insects, arthropods, etc.) feeding on the mulch. Based on the data decomposition-and nutrient release functions are developed for the three mulches. These functions are useful in alley-cropping system analysis and models.

Productivity of annual cropping and agroforestry systems on a shallow Alfisol in semi-arid India

An experiment was conducted at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India from June 1984 to April 1988 on a shallow Alfisol to determine whether the productivity of annual crop systems can be improved by adding perennial species such as Leucaena leucocephala managed as hedgerows. Except in the first year, crop yields were suppressed by Leucaena due to competition for moisture. The severity of competition was high in years of low rainfall and on long-duration crops such as castor and pigeonpea. Based on total biomass, sole Leucaena was most productive; even on the basis of land productivity requiring both Leucaena fodder and annual crops, alley cropping had little or no advantage over block planting of both components. Application of hedge prunings as green manure or mulch on top of 60 kg N and 30 kg P ₂ O ₅ha⁻¹ to annual crops did not show any benefit during the experimental period, characterized by below average rainfall. Indications are that (i) alley cropping was beneficial in terms of soil and water conservation with less runoff and soil loss with 3 m alleys than with 5.4 m alleys, and (ii) root pruning or deep ploughing might be effective in reducing moisture competition.     

Effects of light radiation intensity on photosynthetic characteristics and water use efficiency of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis seedlings

In order to offer a scientific basis for cultivation and management of forests, effects of light radiation intensity on photosynthetic characteristics and water use efficiency of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis were studied under different soil moisture contents. By adopting artificial control methods to soil moisture, and under simulated photosynthetic radiation (SPR), the net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (T _r), water use efficiency (WUE) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis in the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau, were studied. Results are as follows: within the photon range of 0–2,200 μmol/(m²·s), P _N, T _r and WUE were enhanced with an increase in SPR in both species. P _N and WUE of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis, however, declined with continued increase in SPR. P _N, T _r, WUE and light saturation point (LSP) of Platycladus orientalis were higher than those of Pinus tabulaeformis, while light compensation point (LCP) of Platycladus orientalis was lower than that of Pinus tabulaeformis at the same soil moisture content. The efficiency of light energy utilization of Platycladus orientalis was higher than that of Pinus tabulaeformis; P _N, T _r and C _i of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis were enhanced by increasing soil moisture content, whereas WUE declined. At soil moistures of 7.90%, 13.00% and 19.99%, LSP of Platycladus orientalis was 1,275, 1,450 and 1,675 μmol/(m²·s) respectively, and LCP was 42, 25 and 13 μmol/(m²·s) respectively, with corresponding maximal net CO₂ photosynthetic rates (P _max) of 3.04, 4.06 and 5.53 μmol/(m²·s). At soil moistures of 7.83%, 13.04% and 20.15%, the LSP of Pinus tabulaeformis was 1,100, 1,325 and 1,500 μmol/(m²·s) respectively, and LCP was 60, 30 and 23 μmol/(m²·s), with P _max of 1.08, 3.35 and 4.36 μmol/(m²·s) respectively. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2006, 4(3): 108–113 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

间伐对杉木人工林土壤酶活性及微生物的影响

[目的]研究间伐对杉木人工林土壤微生物数量、酶活性及关系的影响,试图了解不同间伐强度作用下土壤恢复的过程和机制,为人工林经营提供理论依据。[方法]以18年生杉木人工林为研究对象,采用随机区组试验设计,分析4种间伐强度TS0(未间伐(0.0%),1 800株·hm-2)、TS1(轻度(16.7%),1 500株·hm-2)、TS2(中度(33.3%),1 200株·hm-2)和TS3(重度(50.0%),900株·hm-2)下杉木人工林土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性特点,探讨土壤微生物数量与酶活性的相关性。[结果]表明:间伐3年后,林下土壤层酶活性和微生物数量显著提高,不同土层间土壤微生物数量和酶活性均差异显著;间伐显著提高了土壤过氧化氢酶、碱性磷酸酶、脲酶和蔗糖酶的活性,除过氧化氢酶(15 30、30 45 cm)、碱性磷酸酶(0 15、30 45 cm)以及脲酶(30 45 cm)以TS3处理的酶活性最高外,其他酶活性在各土层和不同间伐强度下均以TS2处理的酶活性最高;土壤各层微生物以细菌数量最多,其次是放线菌,硝化细菌最少,且TS2处理的微生物数量最多。土壤过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性均与细菌、真菌和硝化细菌数量呈极显著正相关,与放线菌数量呈极显著负相关,氨化细菌数量与过氧化氢酶活性呈负相关,而与脲酶活性呈正相关;碱性磷酸酶活性与细菌、真菌和硝化细菌数量呈正相关,与氨化细菌数量呈极显著负相关,与放线菌数量呈负相关;蔗糖酶活性与细菌、真菌和氨化细菌数量呈极显著正相关,与硝化细菌数量呈正相关,与放线菌数量呈负相关。[结论]间伐改善了林分环境、光照、温度以及林下植被的发育,提高了林下土壤酶活性并增加了微生物数量。间伐3年后的综合表现表明,中度间伐最利于杉木人工中、近熟林阶段的经营,对于改善土壤性质较好。     

Molecular characterization of a collection of the tropical multipurpose shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used for assessing genetic diversity and its structure in a collection of the drought-tolerant, tropical multipurpose shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Merrill. The species is especially suited to low-input smallholder production systems and is used as dry season forage supplement, live soil cover, mulch and living barrier, among others. Genetic groups identified by RAPD analysis related closely to four morphotypes revealed by multivariate analysis of morphological, agronomic and forage quality characteristics. Overall genetic diversity in the collection was moderate (H _T = 0.241), with 79% differentiation among and high genetic similarity (GS) within groups (0.672–0.965). Results indicate a closer relationship of the semi-erect morphotypes M3 and M4 with F. stricta rather than with the erect morphotype M1. The latter was genetically the most depauperate, followed by morphotypes M2 and M4. New evidence is provided that non-Asian accessions collected in Africa and South America are derived from introduced Southeast Asian material. Furthermore, RAPD data suggest the presence of duplicates in the collection, especially in the overrepresented erect morphotype M1.     

Volunteer biomass production between multipurpose tree hedgerows after two years of fallow in southern Cameroon

The ability of multipurpose hedgerow tree species to out-compete undesired regrowth during fallow phases was examined. Biomass and spatial distribution of grass and broad leaf volunteers was measured after two years of fallow, in two alley cropping systems planted at six m interrow distance, at the Humid Forest Ecoregional Centre Research Station, Mbalmayo, southern Cameroon. The two experiments had been continuously cropped for five and six years previously. In the experiment cropped for six years, the presence of Senna spectabilis [(DC.) Irwin and Barnaby] hedgerows reduced the biomass of the volunteer regrowth from 9.2 to 4.3 Mg ha⁻¹. Tillage during the previous cropping phase increased the broad leaf biomass from 3.0 to 4.4 Mg ha⁻¹, reduced the biomass of grasses from 3.4 to 2.7 Mg ha⁻¹ but had no effect on the total volunteer biomass. Volunteer biomass was significantly lower within 1.5 m of the S. spectabilis hedgerows than at positions further away. In the experiment cropped for five years, S. spectabilis reduced the volunteer regrowth biomass significantly. Two other hedgerow species, Dactyladenia barteri [(Hook f ex Oliv.) Engl.] and Flemingia macrophylla [(Willd.) Merrill] had no effect on the total amount of volunteer regrowth but did reduce volunteer biomass within 0.5 m of the hedgerows. S. spectabilis caused a stronger reduction of volunteer biomass than D. barteri and F. macrophylla at almost all distances from the hedgerows. The competitiveness of D. barteri and F. macrophylla is insufficient and their growth habit is unsuitable to out-compete undesired species in this alley cropping system. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of perennial mulches on moisture conservation and soil-building properties through agroforestry

The effect of perennial mulches on moisture status, soil characteristics and on crop yields (maize-wheat rotation) was evaluated from 1986 through 1989 in a silty loam acidic soil (pH 5.6, PWP 11.4 & FC 25.6%) at the Research Farm of the Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dahra Dun. Mulch materials, comprised of leaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Eucalyptus hybrid, Shorea robusta, Broussonatia paprifera or Puerarua hirsuta (chopped) @ 4 t/ha were applied just after sowing of wheat and the residual effect of applied mulch was seen in kharif maize each year.The distribution of profile moisture revealed that at the time of sowing of wheat the soil water content did not differ with depth (0–90 cm). With the advancement of time, the magnitude of moisture distribution changed. At various crop growth stages the highest amount of water was found in the plots mulched with S. robusta followed by E. hybrid. All the mulch materials, except B. paprifera, lowered the soil pH, the maximum effect was noted with E. hybrid (pH reduced from 5.6 to 5.0). After three years, N and K content of soil were found to be greatest with the application of L. leucocephala whereas the highest P content was observed in B. paprifera mulched plots.The highest wheat grain yield (2.46 t/ha) was recorded with L. leucocephala and minimum under control (2.11 t/ha) which represents a gain of 11.7 per cent. Maximum maize grain yield (0.73 t/ha) was found in S. robusta mulched plots followed by L. leucocephala (0.63 t/ha) and the minimum in the control (0.51 t/ha).     

Factors affecting transpiration of Pinus tabulaeformis in a semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau

The effects of soil water and meteorological factors affecting transpiration of Pinus tabulaeformis were studied under different levels of soil water content to offer a scientific basis for increasing efforts in afforestation survival and management of soil water in forested land. Under artificial control methods for soil water and potting experiments, the transpiration rate (T _r) of P. tabulaeformis and environmental factors were measured using a portable steady porometer (Li-1600) and a speedy weight method (BP-3400) during a representative fine day in the growing season of 2004. The results indicated that the diurnal course of T _r and R _st of P. tabulaeformis displayed a double-peaked curve and a “W” curve under different levels of soil water content. Given a representative fine day, the T _r could be represented as a cubic relation with soil water content (SWC). The SWC which caused maximum T _r values of P. tabulaeformis was 17.7%, 19.8%, and 17.5% in July, August and October respectively. T _r was affected not only by physiological characteristics, but also by SWC and meteorological factors. T _r was significantly correlated with meteorological factors when the soil water was sufficient, but this correlation would decrease under conditions of serious water stress. Under such stress conditions, air temperature was the primary factor to affect T _r in July and August and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was the primary factor in October. When soil water is sufficient, the main factors affecting T _r were relative humidity (RH), air temperature (T _a) and leaf temperature (T _l) in July, August and October respectively. __________ Translated from Science of Soil and Water Conservation, 2007, 5(1): 49–54 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

Okra production with pine straw mulch

Conventional planted okra in Booneville, Arkansas and Lorman, Mississippi were mulched with loblolly pine straw (Pinus taeda L.) and longleaf pine straw (P. palustris Mill.), respectively, at a rate of 11 t/ha or left bare. At Booneville, plant stand, season yields (18.6 t/ha), pod weight (16.3 g), plant dry weight (2.3 kg), or stem diameter (3.5 cm) were not affected by the loblolly pine mulch. However, mulch application increased pod number (1.22 vs. 1.06×10⁶/ha) and plant height (1.5 vs. 1.6 m), while reducing weed competition (0.05 vs. 0.40 t/ha) and visible plant stress, during periods of soil moisture deficits. Soil temperatures at 5 and 15 cm depth were reduced by mulch until mid-August when plant canopies covered the rows. Seasonal moisture at 30 and 45 cm depths was similar between mulched and bare soils, based upon unreplicated neutron probe measurements. At Lorman, season okra yield (29.8 vs. 24.6 t/ha), number of pods per ha (1.24 vs. 1.07×10⁶) and weed competition were reduced and soil pH lowered 0.56 units by longleaf pine straw mulch. Mulch reduced early season yield at both locations.     

Competition for light between hedgerows and maize in an alley cropping system in Hawaii, USA

Successful agroforestry systems depend on minimizing tree-cropcompetition. In this study, field experiments and a simulation model were usedto distinguish between tree-crop competition for light and belowgroundcompetition in an alley cropping system. Maize (Zea maysL.) was harvested periodically in three treatments: between vertical barriers ofshade cloth, hedgerows of Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.)Merr., and sole maize. Radiation intercepted by the maize was calculated using asimulation model based on measured values for direct and diffuse light, hedgerowdimensions and leaf area, and solar trajectory. Radiation use efficiency wascalculated as biomass production per unit of intercepted radiation. Maizebiomass and yield in both the alley crop and the shade cloth treatment weregreatest in the center of the alleys. Grain yield between hedgerows was 3.5Mg ha⁻¹ (averaged across the alley), significantlyless than in the shade cloth (7.4 Mg ha⁻¹) or thesole maize (7.7 Mg ha⁻¹) treatments. Lightintercepted by the maize in the alley crop was about half that intercepted bythe maize in the sole crop. The shade cloth intercepted less light than thehedgerows because it did not have an appreciable width. Radiation use efficiencyin the three treatments was 0.75 g mol⁻¹ PAR anddid not differ significantly among treatments. Tree-crop competition wasoverwhelmingly for light. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of the extreme drought in 2003 on soil respiration in a mixed forest

We present a field study on the drought effects on total soil respiration (SR_t) and its components, i.e., “autotrophic” (SR_a: by roots/mycorrhizosphere) and “heterotrophic” respiration (SR_h: by microorganisms and soil fauna in bulk soil), in a mature European beech/Norway spruce forest. SR_a and SR_h were distinguished underneath groups of beech and spruce trees using the root exclusion method. Seasonal courses of SR_a and SR_h were studied from 2002 to 2004, with the summer of 2003 being extraordinarily warm and dry in Central Europe. We (1) analyzed the soil temperature (T _s) and moisture sensitivity of SR_a and SR_h underneath both tree species, and (2) examined whether drought caused differential decline of SR_a between spruce and beech. Throughout the study period, SR_a of beech accounted for 45–55% of SR_t, independent of the soil water regime; in contrast, SR_a was significantly reduced during drought in spruce, and amounted then to only 25% of SR_t. In parallel, fine-root production was decreased during 2003 by a factor of six in spruce (from 750 to 130 mg l⁻¹ a⁻¹), but remained at levels similar to those in 2002 in beech (about 470 mg l⁻¹ a⁻¹). This species-specific root response to drought was related to a stronger decline of SR_a in spruce (by about 70%) compared to beech (by about 50%). The sensitivity of SR_a and SR_h to changing T _s and available soil water was stronger in SR_a than SR_h in spruce, but not so in beech. It is concluded that SR_a determines the effect of prolonged drought on the C efflux from soil to a larger extent in spruce than beech, having potential implications for respective forest types. This article belongs to the special issue "Growth and defence of Norway spruce and European beech in pure and mixed stands."     

The potential of alley cropping in improvement of cultivation systems in the high rainfall areas of Zambia. III. Effects on soil chemical and physical properties

A detailed study of the soil chemical and physical properties in seven-year-old alley cropping trial containingLeucaena leucocephala andFlemingia congesta in Northern Zambia is described. There was a strong correlation between the maize yield and the total amount of nitrogen applied, both from prunings and fertiliser, suggesting that a major reason for the observed benefit from alley cropping, particularly withLeucaena, was due to an improvement in nitrogen supply.Leucaena produced significantly more biomass, and its leaves had higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and lower C/N and C/P ratios than did those ofFlemingia. There was also evidence that the trees had a beneficial effect on other soil chemical properties; under the hedgerows, particularly those ofLeucaena, there were higher levels of organic carbon, Mg, K and ECEC, and pH values were also highest.It is suggested that higher levels of organic carbon in the alley crop treatments were responsible for the improvements observed in soil physical properties. Lower bulk density, lower penetration resistance, and a higher infiltration rate and pore volume fraction were measured in the alley crops, although there was no significant change in the soil water release parameters.A deteriorating effect of constant applications of nitrogen fertiliser on soil fertility was observed; as the level of urea application increased, there were significant decreases in Mg, K and pH, increases in Al and soil acidity, and higher penetrometer resistance. These results highlight the urgent need for further research on biological methods of maintaining soil fertility.