Soil moisture and water use by pastures and silvopastures in a sub-humid temperate climate in New Zealand

Soil moisture content from 0 to 2 m depth was monitored under 2–6 year old radiata pine (Pinus radiata) with three understoreys of bare ground, lucerne (Medicago sativa) and ryegrass/clover (Lolium perenne/Trifolium spp.) and under adjacent open-grown lucerne and ryegrass/clover pastures. By the fifth year soil moisture depletion/recharge pattern under the trees alone was similar to that under open pasture and under trees with pasture understoreys. Maximum plant available moisture storage was 207–223 mm in the top meter of this Templeton silt loam soil but only 69–104 mm at 1–2 m depth where coarse textures often predominated. Lucerne reduced soil moisture content (SMC) to lower levels during drier summers and extracted more water from 1 to 2 m depth than ryegrass/clover. Evapotranspiration (ET) during early summer when soil moisture was high was close to the Penman potential evapotranspiration (E _p ), but the difference increased when SMC in the top meter dropped below 200 mm. The silvopasture treatments had higher ET in winter than pasture alone but this was still less than E _p . Soil moisture deficits (SMD) at the end of each summer were sufficiently large to require slightly higher than normal winter rainfall and ET < E _p to recharge the soil to field capacity before the next summer. The soil moisture results, taken together with root and growth data, suggest that trees and understorey pastures are complementary in the first three or four growing seasons but this balance subsequently declines in favor of the pine trees. Management options, to extend the period that understorey pastures are productive, include reducing tree stockings, more vigorous pruning, using competitive understoreys and changing from pines to deciduous trees. Research on new silvopastoral combinations is suggested.     

Soil water affects transpiration response to rainfall and vapor pressure deficit in poplar plantation

Influences of environmental factors on transpiration are interactive. Sensitivities of transpiration responses to both evaporative demand and rainfall under contrasting soil water conditions constitute the physiological basis of the drought tolerance of trees. Such knowledge is practically significant for plantation management, especially for irrigation management. We therefore conducted a 6-year study on the transpiration of a poplar plantation in temperate China to elucidate the existence and pattern of the influence of the soil water over stand transpiration responses to (1) vapor pressure deficit (VPD), the major indicator of air dryness and (2) the rainfall, in terms of total amount and event size. The results showed that the response of plantation transpiration (E _c ) to VPD was conditioned by soil moisture. There was a significant difference in the frequency distribution of maximum sap flux under contrasting soil relative extractable water. E _c after rainfall of different sizes varied under similar VPD. The increasing occurrences of only large rainfall events led to enhanced total E _c during the growing season, but prolonged rainless intervals did not lead to a continuous decrease of E _c , suggesting appreciable supplements from the soil water were present to sustain transpiration. In addition, the balance of soil water between replenishment and extraction also conditioned the influence of rainfall over subsequent E _c during the respective rainless intervals. Based on the E _c responses to VPD and rainfall under different soil moisture levels, irrigation that directly replenishes the deep soil layers in order to alleviate water stress on transpiration during the small-rain event-dominated growing season is an effective and water-saving approach to guarantee trees survival during drought period.     

Process studies in aPinus radiata-pasture agroforestry system in a subhumid temperature environment. I. Water use and light interception in the third year

In this study we determined soil moisture storage, evapotranspiration (ET) and light interception in an agroforestry trial consisting of pine trees grown over (1) control (bare ground), (2) ryegrass/clovers (Lolium perene/Trifolium spp.), (3) lucerne (Medicago sativa), and (4) ryegrass only during the third growing season between 1992 and 1993. The results show that:

Summer field performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus petraea</Emphasis> (Matt.) Liebl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pyrenaica</Emphasis> Willd seedlings,planted in three sites with contrasting canopy cover

In 2000, one-year-old seedlings of pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and sessile oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl) were planted in a thinned and an unthinned plot in a pinewood (Pinus sylvestris), and in a nearby clearing. In summer 2002 and 2003, water relations and gas exchange parameters were measured to address the impact of drought on the seedlings. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was also measured to explore leaf photochemistry and a possible non-stomatal limitation to photosynthesis (A). Reduction in stomatal conductance (g) in response to the decrease of predawn water potential (Ψ_pd) resulted the main cause affecting net carbon uptake. Water potential at midday (Ψ_md) was similar in both species but Quercus petraea was more sensitive to soil water deployment occurred along summer, showing slightly lower Ψ_pd because worse recover of water potential during night. Rate of photosynthesis was higher in Q.␣pyrenaica probably in relation to its greater leaf mass per area (LMA) and nitrogen content per leaf area (N_a). Mortality was highest in the clearing and lowest in the thinned pinewood. Throughout the summer, soil moisture was higher in the thinned area, possibly because of the reduction in tree transpiring surface and interception of rainfall. Accordingly, Ψ_pd of both species was higher in the thinned site.     

Gas exchange responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. africana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. robusta</Emphasis> to varying soil moisture content in semi-arid (Thika) Kenya

A dramatic decline in forest cover in eastern Africa along with a growing population means that timber and poles for building and fuelwood are in short supply. To overcome this shortage, the region is increasingly turning to eucalyptus. But eucalyptus raises environmental concerns of its own. Fears that it will deplete water supply, affect wildlife and reduce associated crop yields have caused many countries in the region to discourage farmers from planting this exotic. This paper is part of a series of investigations on the growth and water use efficiency of faster growing eucalyptus hybrids, which was introduced from South Africa to Kenya. The hypothesis is that the new hybrids are more efficient in using water and more suitable for the semi-arid tropics than existing eucalyptus and two popular agroforestry species. Gas exchange characteristics of juvenile Eucalyptus grandis (W. Hill ex Maiden), two eucalyptus hybrids (E. grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.), Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn) and Cordia africana (Lam) was studied under field and pot conditions using an infrared gas analyzer was used to measure photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (g _s) and transpiration rate (E) at CO₂ concentrations of 360 μmol mol⁻¹ and ambient humidity and temperature. A, E and g _s varied between species, being highest in eucalyptus hybrid GC 15 (24.6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) compared to eucalyptus hybrid GC 584 (21.0 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), E. grandis (19.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), C. africana (17.7 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and G. robusta (11.1 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). C. africana exhibited high E values (7.0 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) at optimal soil moisture contents than G. robusta (3.9 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and eucalyptus (5.3 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) in field experiment and G. robusta (3.2 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and eucalyptus (4.2 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) in pot-grown trees. At very low soil moisture content, extremely small g _s values were recorded in GC 15 and E. grandis (8 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and G. robusta (14 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) compared to GC 584 (46.9 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and C. africana (90.0 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹) indicating strong stomatal control by the species. Instantaneous water use efficiency ranged between 3 and 5 μmol mmol⁻¹ and generally decreased with decline in soil moisture in pot-grown trees but increased with declining soil moisture in field-grown trees.     

Transpiration of Scots pine in Flanders growing on soil with irregular substratum

An investigation was carried out to compare the water balance of Scots pine in Flanders growing on soils with contrasted water availability. Based on sap flow measurements transpiration of Scots pine was determined for two small plots on cover sands resting on a clayey substratum of varying depths (shallow and deep). Soil water content (SWC) was relatively low (0.12–0.21 m³ m⁻³) in the upper topsoil (0–0.75 m) in both plots. However, it was always higher in the shallow plot (by 3–27%) than in the deep plot. The difference between SWC in both plots was more pronounced in the deeper soil layers (0.75–1.5 m). Sap flow was measured in seven sample pine trees on each plot from May to October 2000 using the heat field deformation (HFD) method. Transpiration of the individual trees in the deep plot was 22% lower than in trees in the shallow plot. The difference decreased to 15% after scaling up to the stand level due to a higher density of trees growing in the deep plot. It was hypothesized that higher water uptake in the shallow plot was possibly caused by structural differences between the root systems of trees growing in plots with variable soil texture. The sapwood in shallow-plot trees was 1 cm less deep than in trees growing in the deep plot (as measured by biometric and sap flow pattern methods). Sap flow radial patterns suggested a higher involvement of sinker roots for water uptake in the deep clayey substratum plot. This was in agreement with higher activity of the inner xylem in trees on the deep plot under higher evaporative demands. However, the fraction of the inner xylem to the whole-tree water supply was nearly three-fold lower than the outer xylem, which appeared to provide water presumably from the superficial roots. The fraction of these roots, estimated according to sap flow radial patterns, was around 10% higher in trees on the shallow plot. This caused 30% higher sap flow in the stem outer xylem there. Transpiration of the pine stands was limited under high evaporative demands in both plots by the low availability of soil water. The limitation was greater in the deep plot and persisted throughout the whole growing season.     

Effect of micro-environmental factors on natural regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sal</Emphasis> (S<Emphasis Type="Italic">horea robusta</Emphasis>)

Micro-environmental factors viz., soil moisture and light intensity are important factors that affect natural regeneration in forests. These factors vary spatially depending on the overhead canopy density of the forest. The present study focused on studying the effect of variation of soil moisture and light intensity on natural regeneration of sal species (Shorea robusta) under different micro-environments due to overhead canopy of varying forest density. Experimental plots of 40m× 40m size were laid under different overhead canopy densities in a small sal forested watershed in the foot hills of Himalayas in Nainital District of Uttarakhand State, India. The plots were monitored on a long term basis for soil moisture at multi depths, light intensity and natural regeneration of sal. The results of the study revealed that the natural regeneration was highest under C1 (up to-0.30) canopy followed by C2 (0.30–0.50), and C3 (0.50–0.70) canopies. The C3 canopy showed the dying back of sal shoots over 4 years of study. The highest R² value of linear regression between incremental score of plot regeneration and average soil moisture content was obtained as 0.156 for average soil moisture content during non-monsoon months at 100 cm depth. The R² value between incremental score of plot regeneration and annual average light intensity was obtained as 0.688 which indicated that the regeneration is largely dependent on the light intensity conditions during the year. The multiple linear regression analysis between the incremental score of regeneration and the average light intensity and average soil moisture content revealed that that about 80% of variation in regeneration is explained by both the factors.     

Soil phosphorus and water effects on growth,nutrient and carbohydrate concentrations, δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C,and nodulation of mimosa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia julibrissin</Emphasis> Durz.) on a highly weathered soil

Growth and physiological performance of multipurpose tree species can be severely constrained by low phosphorus (P) availability in highly weathered soils. Limitations to plant growth are accentuated by seasonal dry periods. The overall objective of this study was to examine P fertilization and irrigation effects on survival, growth, biomass partitioning, foliar nutrients, intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE) indexed by δ¹³C, Rhizobium nodulation, and carbohydrate content as an indicator of resprouting potential, of mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durz.), a N₂-fixing tree species being tested for browse in agroforestry practices in south-central USA. In a field experiment carried out during two growing seasons near Booneville, Arkansas, USA, mimosa had a strong growth response to irrigation. The trial was arranged in a split plot design with three replications with irrigation as main plot treatment and P as sub-plot treatment. Mean total plant aboveground biomass at the end of the second growing season was 9.8 and 44.1 g plant⁻¹ for the rainfed treatment without and with 300 mm of irrigation water, respectively. Placed P fertilization increased mean total aboveground biomass from 19 g plant⁻¹ for the 0-P treatment to 69 g plant⁻¹ for the treatment with 90 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Similarly, irrigation consistently increased stem basal diameter, total height, survival, root, stem, foliar and total aboveground biomass, and number of nodules per plant. Phosphorus fertilization increased basal diameter, and root and stem biomass in both irrigation treatments, survival and nodulation in the rainfed treatment, and foliar and total aboveground biomass in the rainfed +300 mm irrigation treatment. There was a decrease of foliar δ¹³C suggesting that WUE decreased with P fertilization. In a pot experiment, seedlings were subjected to a factorial combination of two irrigation treatments and six P levels in a randomized complete block design. Irrigation increased basal diameter, root, stem, foliar and total biomass, leaf area and nodulation, whereas P fertilization (i.e., levels from 0 to 3.68 g P kg⁻¹ soil) had similar effect in all the above variables except foliar biomass. Foliar P concentration to obtain 90% of the maximum total plant biomass (critical level) was estimated at 0.157%. Total nonstructural and water soluble carbohydrate, and starch concentrations increased non-linearly with irrigation and P addition suggesting impaired re-growth potential after defoliation of seedlings with reduced water supply and at low soil P availability. Results of this study indicated strong limitations for growth and regrowth potential of mimosa on a highly weathered soil with very low P availability and seasonal water content shortages. Placed (i.e., near the plant base) application of P appeared to be a good strategy to fertilize perennial woody plants.     

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."     

Decline of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus thunbergii</Emphasis> Parlat. stands due to excess soil moisture caused by a buried andosol layer at a coastal sand site in Hokkaido,northern Japan

To demonstrate the effect of excess soil moisture on the decline of a coastal Pinus thunbergii stand in Oshamanbe, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan, soil moisture content was monitored for 4 years. The saturated hydraulic conductivities (K _S) of different soil types (coastal sand, supplied topsoil, and buried concreted andosol) and the distribution of the buried concreted andosol layer were investigated. We also examined needle length to verify the real-time response of P. thunbergii to excess soil moisture. Soil moisture content at the heavily damaged site was more heterogeneous than that at the slightly damaged site, and a sensor near the ground always reported a higher soil moisture content at the heavily damaged site than at the slightly damaged site. The buried concreted andosol layer was always found at the heavily damaged site. The K _S of the andosol layer was 10⁻⁵, suggesting that this layer is less permeable to water, leading to excess soil moisture at this site. P. thunbergii needles from the heavily damaged site were shorter than those from the slightly damaged site, possibly because of water stress. Together with other symptoms observed at the study sites, i.e., crown dieback and intense lateral growth, this information leads us to conclude that the decline of P. thunbergii stands at the heavily damaged site in Oshamanbe was caused by excess soil moisture due to the less permeable buried concreted andosol layer.     

Soil and microbial respiration in a loblolly pine plantation in response to seven years of irrigation and fertilization

Because soil CO₂ efflux or soil respiration (R_S) is the major component of forest carbon fluxes, the effects of forest management on R_S and microbial biomass carbon (C), microbial respiration (R_H), microbial activity and fine root biomass were studied over two years in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation located near Aiken, SC. Stands were six-years-old at the beginning of the study and were subjected to irrigation (no irrigation versus irrigation) and fertilization (no fertilization versus fertilization) treatments since planting. Soil respiration ranged from 2 to 6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and was strongly and linearly related to soil temperature. Soil moisture and C inputs to the soil (coarse woody debris and litter mass) which may influence R_H were significantly but only weakly related to R_S. No interaction effects between irrigation and fertilization were observed for R_S and microbial variables. Irrigation increased R_S, fine root mass and microbial biomass C. In contrast, fertilization increased R_H, microbial biomass C and microbial activity but reduced fine root biomass and had no influence on R_S. Predicted annual soil C efflux ranged from 8.8 to 10.7 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and was lower than net primary productivity (NPP) in all stands except the non-fertilized treatment. The influence of forest management on R_S was small or insignificant relative to biomass accumulation suggesting that NPP controls the transition between a carbon source and sink in rapidly growing pine systems.     

Effects of groundcover management on soil properties, tree physiology, foliar chemistry and growth in a newly established Fraser fir (Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir) plantation in Michigan, United States of America

Incorporating cover crops into Christmas tree plantations may potentially improve soil fertility, tree growth and quality and be an alternative to commercial nitrogen (N) fertilizers. However, cover crops may compete with the trees for water and other nutrients than N. This study was carried out to assess whether soil fertility, tree survival and growth could be improved by incorporating leguminous and non-leguminous cover crops into the Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) production system. Dutch white clover (Trifolium pratense), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were grown in a newly established Fraser fir plantation using two cover crop management practices; no banding (NB) by growing each cover crop throughout the entire plot and banding (B) by creating a 61 cm-wide bare zone centered on the tree rows. A conventionally-managed system (CONV) was used as a control. The cover crop aboveground biomass and N content were assessed. Soil available N (NO₃ ⁻ and NH₄ ⁺) and N mineralization were measured at 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm soil depths. Tree survival, growth, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F_v/F_m), branch water potential (Ψ_w) and foliar nutrients were also evaluated. Biomass production was as high as 13.9, 10.2 and 5.9 Mg DM ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for clover, alfalfa and ryegrass, respectively. Cover cropping increased soil available N by 1.5- and 2.2-fold relative the CONV in the top soil layer in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Tree seedling survival and growth in the B and CONV systems were similar. In contrast, NB treatments resulted in poor seedling survival and growth relative to the B and CONV plots. Plant Ψ_w and F_v/F_m decreased significantly for A. fraseri seedlings on the NB treatments relative to their counterparts on the B and CONV plots. However, cover cropping had marginal effects on foliar nutrients. Cover cropping with banding can be an efficient strategy for maintaining productivity in Fraser fir Christmas plantations.     

Soil characteristics of raised sphagnum bog in relation to intensively grown deciduous species

Peat bulk density, water content, and pH were studied on a raised bog in central Sweden with particular attention to the demand of the crops. Volume defined samples of the 0–30 cm soil layers were taken during 1981 and 1982 in order to find out seasonal patterns and between‐treatment variations of the soil characteristics. Four plots with different liming, fertilization, and irrigation regimes were included in the investigation. Two willow plots (Salix viminalis and S. dasyclados) and one plot with Alnus incana were all irrigated‐fertilized by drip tubes during the growing season while an unplanted reference plot was not. Large variations in the studied soil properties occurred within all the plots at any time, to a great extent depending on variations in the mixture of Eriophorum and Sphagnum in the peat. Peat bulk density tended to be higher in the irrigated‐fertilized plots than in the reference plot and averaged about 70 and 63 g . dm^?3, respectively. Water content increased rapidly with depth in the irrigated plots and the pores were filled with water to about 90% at 6 cm depth. Seasonal fluctuations were small. The reference plot contained less water than the irrigated ones and the water content increased almost linearly with increased depth in this plot. The seasonal fluctuations were large, with the lowest water content in late summer. A somewhat higher degree of humification and a higher water‐holding capacity was found in the soil of irrigated‐fertilized plots than in the reference. Microbiological activity, decomposition rate of litter, and recycling of nutrients should be high and favourable under these circumstances resulting in increased soil fertility. The soil also contained enough air in the pores to allow good root growth. Liming increased pH in the 0–30 cm soil layer and irrigated‐fertilized plots showed a faster increase of pH than the reference plot. However, the pH profiles obtained were concluded to be non‐optimal for the root growth of willow but satisfactory for grey alder. The use of KCI solution instead of distilled water in pH measurements resulted in lower pH values but also in smaller seasonal fluctuations. The difference was smaller near the soil surface than further down in the peat, indicating a higher base saturation in upper soil layers than in lower.     

Partitioning of simulated rainfall in a kaolinitic soil under improved fallow–maize rotation in Zimbabwe

Research on improved fallows has concentrated on soil fertility benefits neglecting possible benefits to soil and water conservation. The effects of improved fallows on rainfall partitioning and associated soil loss were investigated using simulated rainfall on a kaolinitic soil in Zimbabwe. Simulated rainfall at an intensity of 35 mm h⁻¹ was applied onto plots that were under planted fallows of Acacia angustissima and Sesbania sesban, natural fallow and maize (Zea mays L.) for two years. At the end of 2-years in October 2000, steady state infiltration rates could not be determined in A. angustissima and natural fallow plots, but they were 24 mm h⁻¹ in S. sesban and 5 mm h⁻¹ in continuous maize. The estimated runoff losses after 30 min of rainfall were 44% from continuous maize compared with 22% from S. sesban and none from A. angustissima and natural fallow plots. Infiltration rate decay coefficients were 36 mm and 10 mm for S. sesban and continuous maize, respectively. In October 2001 after one post-fallow crop, it was still not possible to determine the steady state infiltration rates in A. angustissima and natural fallows, but they were 8 and 5 mm h⁻¹ for, S. sesban and continuous maize systems, respectively. The runoff loss, averaged across tilled and no-tilled plots, increased to 30% in the case of S. sesban fallowed plots and 57% for continuous maize; there was still no runoff loss from the other treatments. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in infiltration rate decay coefficients among treatments. The infiltration rate decay coefficient was 25 mm for S. sesban and it remained unchanged at 10 mm for continuous maize. It is concluded that planted tree fallows increase steady state infiltration rates and reduce runoff rates, but these effects markedly decrease after the first year of maize cropping in non-coppicing tree fallows. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Seasonal change in N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O flux from forest soils in a forest catchment in Japan

Temperate forest soils are one source of nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is an important greenhouse gas and the most important ozone-depleting substance. To clarify N₂O flux mechanisms in relation to soil temperature, moisture, and nitrification activity, we measured N₂O fluxes and net nitrification rates over 3 years at the lower (Japanese cedar) and upper (deciduous broad-leaved trees) parts of a hill slope in a small forest catchment in the northern Kanto region of Japan. The N₂O flux was measured by the closed-chamber technique every month, along with soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS). At the lower slope, the N₂O flux increased with increasing soil temperature (r ² = 0.383, P < 0.01) owing to an increase in the nitrification rate. At the upper slope, no positive linear correlation of N₂O flux with soil temperature, WFPS, or nitrification rate was observed. The low N₂O flux at the upper slope during summer was caused by the low summertime WFPS there. We attributed the higher mean N₂O fluxes observed at the lower slope (median 2.36 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) than at the upper slope (median 1.10 μg N m⁻² h⁻¹) to a high soil moisture during summer season in the surface soil of the lower slope.     

Contribution of understory vegetation to minimizing nitrate leaching in a Japanese cedar plantation

Understory vegetation may affect nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) leaching, even in coniferous forests. Our objective was to estimate the contribution of understory vegetation to nutrient cycling, especially nitrogen, in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) stand. We therefore cut down and removed understory vegetation in one plot of the stand (the cutting plot) to compare nutrient budgets in the cutting plot with those in a control plot in which understory vegetation was allowed to grow. We also examined neutralization of the acid produced due to an increase in NO₃ ⁻ leaching. A monitoring study on precipitation and soil-percolated water was carried out in both plots. When the understory vegetation was cut down, NO₃ ⁻ flux at a soil depth of 10 cm increased remarkably in summer, with values significantly higher than those in the control plot. This resulted in an increase in proton load associated with N transformation ([H⁺]load). The increase in [H⁺]load enhanced mobilization of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and SiO₂ ([SiO₂]mob). In addition, the correlations between [SiO₂]mob and mobilization of each base cation were distinct in the cutting plot. These results indicated that the acids produced because of N transformation were buffered not only by ion exchange but also by chemical weathering. The contribution of understory vegetation to minimizing NO₃ ⁻ leaching suggested that understory vegetation might reduce the risk of N saturation because of chronic atmospheric N inputs.     

Effect of organic fertilizer on the growth and fruit yield of six paprika (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum annum</Emphasis> L.<Emphasis Type="Italic">)</Emphasis> cultivars in Malawi

The production of paprika (Capsicum annum L.) under small-scale farm conditions in southern Africa is constrained by low soil fertility and lack of appropriate cultivars. The objective of this study was to determine the growth responses and fruit yields of six cultivars of paprika to organic and inorganic nutrient sources. The study was conducted in 2007 and 2008 at Chitedze Agricultural Research Station in Malawi. A combination of six paprika cultivars and four nutrient sources, namely (1) organic input from Gliricidia, (Gliricidia sepium) biomass, (2) inorganic fertilizer, (3) integrated nutrient input (Gliricidia biomass + inorganic fertilizer), and (4) control (no nutrient input) were compared. Each combination was replicated five times. A split-plot design was used where nutrient sources formed the main plot and cultivars the sub-plots. Plant height differed due to nutrient source in 2007 and 2008, while differences due to cultivar were minor. The control plots produced the shortest plants (height < 50 cm), while plots receiving the integrated nutrient input produced the tallest plants (height > 60 cm). Numbers of branches and fruits per plant differed due to nutrient source and cultivar during most of the study period. Plants receiving either organic inputs (Gliricidia biomass) alone or the integrated nutrient input alone had significantly higher stem, leaf and fruit weight compared with the control. Average fruit yield was lower in control plots than in plots receiving the organic input alone or the integrated nutrient input. Among cultivars, Papri-King, Papri-Supreme and Papri-Queen produced higher dry fruit yield. The ASTA and RAL colour rating was within the internationally accepted range for fruit from the treatments.     

Water relations of pine seedlings in contrasting overstory environments

Overstory conditions influence understory microclimate and resource availability, leading to gradients in evaporative demand and moisture availability that influence seedling water relations. Partial canopies may either reduce seedling moisture stress by ameliorating environmental conditions, or increase moisture stress by reducing soil moisture availability. This study used stable isotope ratios of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and carbon (δ¹³C) and mass-based foliar nitrogen concentrations to investigate changes in transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) of pine seedlings across an overstory gradient from open canopy gap environments to closed canopy forest. Foliar δ¹⁸O increased sharply from basal areas of 0–10 m² ha⁻¹ in Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, and Pinus strobus seedlings, followed by a more gradual increase with further increases in basal area. Foliar δ¹³C followed a similar, but less pronounced pattern in P. banksiana and P. strobus seedlings, and had no apparent relationship with overstory basal area in P. resinosa seedlings. The slope of the δ¹⁸O:δ¹³C relationship was positive for every species. Foliar nitrogen concentrations were not correlated with overstory basal area. These results suggest seedling E declined as overstory basal area increased due to reductions in g_s, while iWUE increased slightly from open gaps to partial canopy environments. Open gap environments appear to provide sufficient moisture to sustain high leaf-level gas exchange rates in the species we studied, while relatively small increases in overstory basal area apparently promote rapid declines in g_s, leading to greatly reduced seedling water loss and small increases in iWUE.     

Enhancing growth and biomass production of plantation and associated vegetation through rainwater harvesting in degraded hills in southern Rajasthan,India

Natural resource conservation and rehabilitation are the best options to control land degradation and enhance biomass for fodder and fuelwood. Rainwater harvesting structures viz. Contour trench (CT), gradonie (G), box trench (BT) and V-ditch (VD) with a control were prepared in <10%, 10–20% and >20% slopes and Acacia catechu L. seedlings were planted in August 2005 to enhance soil water, nutrient and biomass and to rehabilitate degraded hill. Soil pH, SOC and NH₄-N decreased while EC, NO₃-N and PO₄-P increased in June 2009. Soil water, nutrients, plant growth and biomass were highest (P < 0.05) in <10% and lowest in 10–20% slopes. Soil waters were 13 and 52% greater in >20 and <10% than in soil at 10–20% slope. The soil waters were 18, 16, 24 and 14% greater in CT, G, BT and VD treatments, respectively over control, which enhanced plant height and collar diameter in December 2009 over 2005. The highest growth and biomass were in CT and VD plots, respectively. Herbage biomass was highest (P < 0.05) in <10% slope in 2005, 10–20% slope in 2006/2008 and >20% slope in 2007/2009. Harvesting of rainwater increased herbage biomass by 24–71%, and was highest in VD plots. Conclusively, rainwater harvesting enhanced soil water, nutrients, vegetation covers and plant growth and biomass during restoration of degraded hills. Gradonie and CT/BT facilitated herbage and plant growth, respectively, whereas V-ditch was effective for both.     

Root distribution of under-planted European beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) below the canopy of a mature Norway spruce stand as a function of light

Aboveground and belowground biomass of 15-year-old under-planted European beech seedlings (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Norway spruce stand were studied along a light gradient in three plots, in the northern part of Slovenia. Differences in soil water content, aboveground and fine root biomass distribution were confirmed between studied plots. Light had significant effect on the total biomass, root-shoot ratio (0.388 ± 0.076 under canopy, 0.549 ± 0.042 in the edge, 0.656 ± 0.047 in the open), specific root length (SRL) of fine beech roots (561.9 ± 42.2 under canopy, 664.3 ± 51.2 in the edge, 618.2 ± 72.8 in the open) and specific leaf area in beech, indicating morphological adjustment to shade. However, SRL of beech fine roots indicated no change between plots. The correlation between total aboveground and root biomass and light below the mature stand canopy was higher in the case of diffuse light intensity. Most fine roots of spruce were concentrated in the top (0–20 cm) soil layer. Beech fine roots under canopy and edge conditions were also concentrated in top (0–20 cm) soil layer and exhibited shift downwards to deeper soil horizons in open plot. Root proportion between beech and spruce changed with light toward beech with increasing light intensity for both fine and coarse roots.