Strategies and economics of farming systems with coffee in the Atlantic Rainforest Biome

In the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, family farmers are adjusting to agroecological principles to reconcile sustainable agriculture, livelihood improvements and biodiversity conservation. Starting in 1993, experimentation with coffee agroforestry was gradually initiated on an increasing number of farms (37 in total), resulting in the simultaneous management of sun coffee (SC) and agroforestry coffee (AF) plots. We aimed (1) to identify factors that determine the farmers’ selection of trees used in AF; (2) to describe the agroecological farms in transition; and (3) to perform an economic comparison between AF and SC. These objectives were addressed by combining data from botanical surveys in 1993/1994 and 2007, by interviews with farmers and by detailed data on the production value and costs of labour and material inputs. The results showed considerable diversity in farming strategies and management among the farmers. Early adopters of AF had diversified towards production of different marketable products. The use of native trees in AF for this purpose, and for restoration of soil fertility (e.g., leguminous trees), had increased since the start of the experiments, while exotic tree species were eliminated. Over a period of 12 years AF was more profitable than SC due to the production of a diversity of agricultural goods, despite somewhat higher establishment costs. Other ecosystem services delivered by AF, such as biodiversity and cultural services are currently not valorized. Payment schemes for environmental services could further improve the economic benefits of AF for family farmers and alleviate establishment and learning costs.     

Influence of native or exotic trees on soil fertility in decades of silvopastoral system at the Brazilian savannah biome

Silvopastoral systems (SPSs) are considered a conservationist system by combining forestry species cultivation with domesticated grazing animals, intercropping trees, and pasture in the same area. SPSs are noun for its contribution to improve soil chemical and physical properties, enhance grass nutritional status, provide healthier animal environment, and increase farmers’ options to maximize the use of land. In soil degraded areas, such as those found in Brazilian savannah biome (BSB), the SPSs constitute an alternative to soil recuperation in these areas. Therefore, our aim was to assess soil fertility attributes at different depths on a BSB grown with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu grass, the influence of SPS with native tree zeyheria (Zeyheria tuberculosa) settled in 1984, or with the exotic eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) settled in 1994. The soil water pH, P, Ca, Mg, and K contents, as well as soil base sum and saturation, were found superior mostly at the top layer (0–2 cm) of the eucalyptus site, than for the ipê-felpudo site. This response was correlated to greater soil organic matter and carbon at the eucalyptus site, which demonstrated to have high nutrient cycling rates. Around 50 % of the CEC in both SPSs was occupied by bases, demonstrating that the areas have large potential to absorb applied nutrients. The SPSs have no significant impact on S-SO₄ ^2? or micronutrient availability. The litter composition in eucalyptus site was accountable for the superior results of this SPS, which has shown as a promising choice for land use and conservation in the BSB.     

Modeling landscape dynamics in an Atlantic Rainforest region: Implications for conservation

The dynamics of the Atlantic Rainforest loss and recovery are still not fully understood despite its long history of human occupation. In this study, we investigated changes in an Atlantic Rainforest region due to major biophysical and human proximate causes. First, we modeled land-cover and land-use changes from 1962 to 2000, including deforestation and forest regrowth, and thereby simulated future landscape trajectories to assess their possible effects on the conservation of forest species of the Ibiúna Plateau, a region located in Southeastern Brazil within the Atlantic Rainforest biome. We modeled four scenarios (status quo, random, lawenforcement, and land-use intensification) and simulated their resulting landscape trajectories for the year 2019 using DINAMICA. The landscape dynamics in the study region were particularly intense. During the first period of 1962–1981, the rate of forest regrowth (3% year⁻¹) was greater than the rate of deforestation (2% year⁻¹), whereas in the latter period of 1981–2000, increasing urbanization and the spreading of rural establishments resulted in more deforestation (2.9% year⁻¹) than regrowth (1% year⁻¹). These dynamics imprinted a heterogeneous landscape, leading to the predominance of progressively younger secondary forests with increasingly less capacity of hosting sensitive forest species. The influence of proximate causes on the dynamics of deforestation and forest regrowth showed consistent patterns, such as higher forest regrowth rates near rivers, on steep slopes and far from dirt roads, whereas losses in young secondary vegetation and forest were far from rivers, on gentle slopes and near urban areas. Of the modeled scenarios, only the law enforcement scenario may lead to the recovery of a network of interconnected forest patches, suggesting that simply the enforcement of current forest laws, which prohibit deforestation on unsuitable agricultural areas and along river margins and establish a minimum of 20% of forest remnant per rural property, may effectively favor forest species conservation in the short term (two decades) without the need of any forest restoration effort.     

Fine-root dynamics of coffee in association with two shade trees in Costa Rica

Fine-root dynamics (diameter < 2.0 mm) were studied on-farm in associations of Coffea arabica with Eucalyptus deglupta or Terminalia ivorensis and in a pseudo-chronosequence of C. arabica-E. deglupta associations (two, three, four and five years old). Coffee plants were submitted to two fertilisation types. Cores were taken in the 0–40 cm soil profile two years after out-planting and subsequently in the following year in depth layers 0–10 and 10–20 cm, during and at the end of the rainy season, and during the dry season. Fine root density of coffee and timber shade trees was greater in the coffee fertilisation strip as compared to unfertilised areas close to the plants or in the inter-rows. Coffee fine roots were more evenly distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm) whereas tree fine roots were mostly found in the first 10 cm. Although the two tree species had approximately the same fine root length density, lower coffee / tree fine root length density ratios in T. ivorensis suggest that this shade tree is potentially a stronger competitor with coffee than E. deglupta. Coffee and tree fine root length density for 0–10 cm measured during the rainy season increased progressively from two to five-year-aged associations and coffee fine root length density increased relatively more than E. deglupta fine root length density in the four and five-year-aged plantations suggesting that contrary to expectations, coffee fine roots were displacing tree fine roots.     

中国农林间作研究综述

本文对中国农林间作的成就作了回顾 ,并概括为小气候效益研究、农作物产量和质量研究、生物量和物质循环研究及生理学响应和相互作用研究等几方面 ;同时对农林间作今后的发展作了展望     

林豆复合生态系统土壤理化性质的研究

本文对混种大豆的落叶松.大豆、水曲柳-大豆复合生态系统土壤理化性质进行研究。结果表明,在一个生长季内混种后的土壤物理性质得到了改善。落叶松.大豆与水曲柳一大豆复合生态系统的土壤容重为1.112g/cm3和1.058g/cm3均低于相对应的纯林:混种大豆后土壤总孔隙度增加。两种林-豆复合生态系统土壤有机质分别比对应纯林高1.77倍和1.09倍:落叶松一大豆复合生态系统全氮和水解氮含量分别高于落叶松纯林4.2%和53.0/%,水曲柳-大豆复合生态系统全氮和水解氮含量分别高于水曲柳纯林75.5%和3.3%:混种大豆后全磷含量降低,而有效磷含量则增加:落叶松-大豆复合生态系统全钾和有效钾比落叶松纯林高0.6%和17.5%,水曲柳-大豆复合生态系统全钾和有效钾分别比水曲柳纯林高56.4%和21.8%。图1表3参27。     

Assessing seed desiccation responses of native trees in the Caribbean

New Forests - Native trees from the Caribbean were tested for seed desiccation responses, by adapting the “100-seed test” protocol. Ninety-seven seed lots of 91 species were collected...     

Effects of intercropping systems of trees with soybean on soil physicochemical properties in juvenile plantations

The intercropping system of tree with soybean in juvenile plantations, as a short-term practice, was applied at Lao Shan Experimental Station in Mao’er Shan Forest of Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The larch (Larix gmelinii)/soybean (Glycine max.) and ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) intercropping systems were studied in the field to assess the effects of the intercropping on soil physicochemical properties. The results showed that soil physical properties were improved after soybean intercropping with larch and ash in one growing season. The soil bulk density in larch/soybean and ash/soybean systems was 1.112 g·cm⁻³ and 1.058 g·cm⁻³, respectively, which was lower than that in the pure larch or ash plantation without intercropping. The total soil porosity also increased after intercropping. The organic matter amount in larch/soybean system was 1.77 times higher than that in the pure larch plantation, and it was 1.09 times higher in ash/soybean system than that in the pure ash plantation. Contents of total nitrogen and hydrolyzable nitrogen in larch/soybean system were 4.2% and 53.0% higher than those in the pure larch stand. Total nitrogen and hydrolyzable nitrogen contents in ash/soybean system were 75.5% and 3.3% higher than those in the pure ash plantation. Total phosphorus content decreased after intercropping, while change of available phosphorus showed an increasing trend. Total potassium and available potassium contents in the larch/soybean system were 0.6% and 17.5% higher than those in the pure larch stand. Total potassium and available potassium contents in the ash/soybean system were 56.4% and 21.8% higher than those in the pure ash plantation. Biography: FAN A-nan (1972–), female, Ph. Doctor in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China.     

Trade-offs analysis for possible timber-based agroforestry scenarios using native trees in the Philippines

To assess possible new agroforestry scenarios the tree–soil–crop interaction model in agroforestry systems (WaNuLCAS 3.01) was used based on-site specific data collected from Tabango (Central Philippines). Three native timber trees (Shorea contorta Vid., Pterocarpus indicus Juss., and Vitex parviflora Willd.) and one widely spread exotic specie (Swietenia macrophylla King.) were simulated under different intercrop scenarios with maize (Zea mays L.) and subsequently compared. Model simulation results quantified and explained trade-off between tree and crop. For example, higher tree densities will lead to a loss of crop yield that is approximately proportional to the gain in wood volume. However, beside this trade-off effect, there is considerable scope for tree intercropping advantage under a fertilization scenario, with systems that yield about 50% of the maximum tree biomass still allowing 70% of monoculture maize yield. Maximum tree yield can still be obtained at about 20% of the potential crop yield but intermediate tree population densities (400 trees ha⁻¹) and the resulting larger stem diameters may be preferable over the larger total tree biomass obtained at higher tree densities. Another advantage from intercropping systems is that trees directly benefit from the inputs (i.e., fertilizer) that are applied to the crops. The three native trees species studied have different performance in relation to productivity but are similar to (or even better than) S. macrophylla.     

Benefits and costs of intercropping reforestation in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica.

Agroforestry options as a means of promoting reforestation were testedby establishing with 10 farmers simple comparisons between pure plantations andtimber trees with annual or perennial intercrops. Two year-old intercroppedtrees on-farm had 22–48% greater height and 24–38% greater diameterthan trees in pure plantations. The exception was Cordiaalliodora that did not respond significantly to intercropping withcassava (Manihot esculenta). Only intercrops with the mostvaluable crops on agricultural soils produced a return to labour above thedailywage rate. On non-agricultural soils, farmers only intercrop a small area oftheir plantations with subsistence crops to meet home consumption needs. In thecontext of Costa Rica intercropping appeared to have a limited potential tofinance the reforestation costs of farmers.     

杨粮间作系统中林木遮荫作用研究

该文报道了利用遮荫指数和遮荫程度 ,描述华北平原农区杨粮间作系统毛白杨对农田的遮荫情况。结果说明 ,毛白杨幼林 (株行距 3m× 2 m× 18m ) 1～ 7a生的遮荫指数为 1.3%～6 7..8% ,遮荫程度是 0 .3%～ 16 .5% ;中龄林至成林 (株行距 4 m× 30 m) 10～ 14a生的遮荫指数是51.3%～ 76 .0 % ,遮荫程度为 2 2 .8%～ 2 8.1%。利用遮荫程度表示林木对农田的遮荫情况比用遮荫指数更符合实际 ,并且提出 15%的遮荫程度是田间可接受的最大遮荫程度     

Decomposition and nutrient release in leaves of Atlantic Rainforest tree species used in agroforestry systems

Aiming to support the use of native species from the Atlantic Rainforest in local agroforestry systems, we analysed chemical and biochemical components related to leaf decomposition of Inga subnuda, Senna macranthera, Erythrina verna, Luehea grandiflora, Zeyheria tuberculosa, Aegiphila sellowiana, and Persea americana. These tree species are native (except for P. americana) and commonly used in agroforestry systems in the Atlantic Rainforest. For the three first species (Fabaceae), we also analysed the remaining dry matter and released nutrients from leaves, using litter bags, and biological nitrogen fixation, using Bidens pilosa and Brachiaria plantaginea as references of non-N₂-fixing plants. Leaves from I. subnuda, L. grandiflora, and P. americana had a lower decomposition rate than the other species, exhibiting negative correlations with lignin/N and (lignin+polyphenol)/N ratios. The percentages of remaining dry matter after 1 year were 69 % (I. subnuda), 26 % (S. macranthera) and 16 % (E. verna). Higher nutrient release was found in decreasing order from residues of E. verna, S. macranthera, and I. subnuda. The percentages of nitrogen fixation were 22.6 % (E. verna), 20.6 % (I. subnuda) and 16.6 % (S. macranthera). Diversification of tree species in agroforestry systems allows for input of diversified organic material and can contribute to maintaining and improving soil functions resulting in improvements of soil quality.     

Selection of blight-resistant chestnut trees in Switzerland

This paper reviews initiation and execution of the selection program for blight-resistant chestnut trees in Switzerland. Important information about predisposition, resistance, and inoculation methods gained during the preliminary studies forms the basis for selection and interpretation of test results. During the last 25 years over 120000 native and Asian chestnut trees and their hybrids were tested in inoculation experiments. Now about 40000 of the selected trees are being further tested in gene banks and are being subjected to additional selection procedures.     

辽西山地乡土树种开发利用的种类与方法

文章研究了乡土树种的分布及影响因子,从辽西山地5个自然保护区的树种天然分布中,筛选出分布较广且可以开发利用的59个乡土树种;筛选了辽西山地主要的天然植被类型12个,为人工营造混交林提供了主要依据。     

核桃优良单株选择

在对四川省南部县核桃资源调查发掘的基础上,通过群众报优、初选、复选和决选,筛选出6个核桃优良单株。优良单株平均单果重10.83~15.77 g,出仁率45.91%~57.34%,粗脂肪含量63.2%~70.6%,粗蛋白含量13.2%~16.8%,同时兼具口味香甜、病虫害少,丰产稳产等优良性状,各项指标均达到了核桃优树选择标准。     

Sporendocladia bactrospora associated with wounds on native broadleaved trees in Norway and Sweden

A survey to identify ophiostomatoid fungi that infect wounds on native Norwegian and Swedish broadleaved trees was undertaken during summer 2004. A fungus resembling a species of Sporendocladia was commonly isolated from the exposed cambium and inner bark of wounds. Morphological examination and comparisons of DNA sequence data for the ITS and 5.8S regions of the rRNA gene region led to its identification as Sporendocladia bactrospora. Pathogenicity trials on young Populus tremula and Betula pubescens trees showed that S. bactrospora is capable of causing lesions on these trees. There have been few previous reports of S. bactrospora, and in most cases, these have been as saprophytes on wood. In contrast, results of this study show that it is a common inhabitant of freshly made wounds on native broadleaved trees in Scandinavia, and it appears to contribute to staining of wood.     

Allometric models for estimating aboveground biomass of shade trees and coffee bushes grown together

Allometric models for dominant shade tree species and coffee plants (Coffea arabica) were developed for coffee agroforestry systems in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The studied shade tree species were Cordia alliodora, Juglans olanchana, Inga tonduzzi and I. punctata. The models predict aboveground biomass based on diameter at breast height (for trees), and the stem diameter at a height of 15 cm and plant height (for coffee plants). In addition, the specific gravity of the studied species was determined.The total aboveground biomass of the shade trees varied between 3.5 and 386 kg per tree, and between 0.005 and 2.8 kg per plant for coffee. The aboveground biomass components (foliage, branch, and stem) are closely related with diameter at breast height (r > 0.75). The best-fit models for aboveground biomass of the shade trees were logarithmic, with adjusted R ² between 0.71 and 0.97. In coffee plants, a high correlation was found (r = 0.84) with the stem diameter at 15 cm height, and the best-fit model was logarithmic, as well. The mean specific gravity was 0.52 (± 0.11) for trees and 0.82 (± 0.06) for coffee plants.     

大力提倡发展乡土树种——东北地区城市绿化乡土树种推荐

在全球气候总体变暖的大背景下,我国北方地区冬春季气候异常波动现象频繁发生,常常导致园林树木生长异常,主要表现为边缘树种树木春季发芽推迟、枯黄及死亡。由于东北地区的乡土树种在本地区经历了长期的演化过程,与边缘树种相比,对气候的异常变化适应性较强。东北地区城市绿化应大力推广应用椴树、蒙古栎、色木槭、朝鲜槐等乡土树种。       

枣树生长发育前期高效叶面肥料的筛选

本试验就叶面肥料对枣树生长发育前期的影响进行了研究,结果表明:叶面施肥可增加枣树叶片厚度、叶面积、百叶重、花序数、枣吊长度及叶片数等。各种叶面肥的效果不尽相同,其中,"植物氨基酸液肥"的效果最好,"植物营养活力液"次之;矿质肥也有一定的效果。本文就枣树年周期中发育前期的发育特点及适宜的叶面肥料进行了讨论,并总结了叶面肥对不同指标的影响顺序。