Report of a 60 month study on litter production,changes in soil chemical properties and productivity under Poplar (P. deltoides) and Eucalyptus (E. hybrid) interplanted with aromatic grasses

Quantity of litter fall, its chemical composition, nutrient addition and changes in chemical constituents of soil were studied under agroforestry systems involving Populus deltoides and Eucalyptus hybrid tree with intercrops of Cymbopogon martinii Wats and Cymbopogon flexuosus Wats in the tarai tract of Kumaon hills of U.P. India. P. deltoides had significantly more diameter (63%) as compared to E. hybrid. There was decrease in herb (5.4%) and oil yield (15.4%) of grasses due to trees, but both the grasses did not affect the performance of trees. On an average, dry litter production of P. deltoides was 5.0 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ where as of E. hybrid 1.5 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹. The litter of P. deltoides contained 1.3 times more N and 1.5 times P and K of E. hybrid. Addition of N, P and K through P. deltoides litter was 36.6, 91.6, and 69.9 per cent more than E. hybrid litter, respectively. Under these two canopies soil organic carbon was enhanced by 33.3 to 83.3 per cent, available N by 38.1 to 68.9 per cent, available P by 3.4 to 32.8 per cent and available K by 5.8 to 24.3 per cent over control (no tree canopy) in 0—15cm layer. P. deltoides plantation was superior to E. hybrib in enriching the soil.     

Litter production and decomposition in the forested areas of traditional homegardens: a case study from Barak Valley,Assam, northeast India

Homegardens are one of the oldest forms of managed land use systems characterised by high diversity and complexity of their species structure which in turn contribute to efficient nutrient cycling. Litterfall and decomposition are the two major processes that replenish the soil nutrient pools and endow sustainability to these agroforests. A study was carried out in the village Dargakona, Barak Valley, northeast India to understand the pattern of litter production and litter decomposition in the traditional homegardens. Annual litter production was 6.27 Mg ha⁻¹ with a bimodal distribution pattern and the nitrogen input through litterfall accounted for 48.17 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Litter decomposition studies for ten multipurpose trees revealed Sapium baccatum and Toona ciliata to be the most labile litter species and the decay rate coefficients varied among the species with differing rates of nutrient release pattern. Such studies can provide information regarding the litter quality of indigenous tree species and help validate farmers planting and management of multiple species which allows for efficient nutrient cycling of the system.     

Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan,India

Litterfall and decomposition are the two main processes accounting for soil enrichment in agroforestry. The extent of enrichment in soil properties depends on the tree species, management practices and the quantity and quality of litter. A field investigation was carried out to study litterfall production, decay rates, release of nutrients and consequent changes in soil physicochemical properties under crowns of four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in irrigated conditions in farm fields. The species were Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Annual accretion of litter ranged from 36 to 54 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ and was highest under D. sissoo and lowest under A. nilotica. Total litterfall production was in the order: P. cineraria > A. leucophloea > A. nilotica > D. sissoo. P. cineraria showed the highest NPK concentration in litter. For all MPTs, a large pulse of litterfall coincided with the winter season (November to February). Litter of P. cineraria decomposed fastest while that of A. nilotica was slowest. More than 95% of the leaf litter of P. cineraria decomposed in 6 months, of D. sissoo in 7 months and A. leucophloea and A. nilotica in 9 months. Decomposition rate of litter was highly correlated with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (r = −0.94) and P (r = −0.91) concentration. N, P and K release were best correlated with NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF), P, lignin, lignin/N and C/P ratios and NDF alone explained 88% to 94% of the variability in litter decomposition and nutrient release rates. There was significant build up of soil organic carbon and available NPK in the agrisilvicultural systems but also a decrease in soil pH. Build up in soil fertility was significantly correlated with litterfall and soil improvement was greatest under P. cineraria.     

Structure and Function of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus deltoides</Emphasis> Agroforestry Systems in Eastern India: 2. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nutrient dynamics</Emphasis>

Nutrient concentrations in plant and soil and their rates of cycling in poplar (Populus deltoides)-based agroforestry systems were studied at Pusa, Bihar, India. The nutrient concentrations in the standing biomass of the crop were more than those in tree, whereas the nutrient contents showed the reverse trend. Soil, litter and vegetation accounted for 80.3–99.5, 0.1–5.0 and 0.4–14.7%, respectively, of the total nutrients in the system. Considerable reduction (40–54%) in concentration of nutrients in leaves occurred during senescence. The uptake of nutrients by vegetation, and also by different components with and without adjustment for internal recycling, were calculated separately. Annual transfer of litter nutrient to the soil by vegetation was 37.3–146.2 N, 5.6–17.9 P and 25.0–66.3 K kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in young (3-year-old) and mature (9-year-old) plantations. Turnover rate and time for different nutrients ranged between 0.86–0.99 year⁻¹ and 1.01–1.16 years, respectively. Compartmental models for nutrient dynamics have been developed to represent the distribution of nutrient contents and net annual fluxes within the system. This study shows that the poplar-based agroforestry system can be sustainable in terms of soil nutrient status.     

Nutrition and growth of wheat–sorghum rotation in soils amended with leaf litter of trees before planting of wheat

Nutrient release from plant residues can be manipulated as per crop demand through several approaches. A pot study was conducted to study the influence of incorporation of leaf litter of poplar (Populus deltoides), eucalypt (Eucalyptus hybrid) and dek (Melia azedarach) inoculated with cellulolytic fungus culture (Aspergillus awamori) on the nutrition and biomass of wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. PBW 343) in loamy sand and sandy loam soils. The residual effect of leaf litter after wheat harvest was studied on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, cv. Punjab Sudax Chari 1). The treatments consisted of a control (no leaf litter) and three uninoculated as well as inoculated leaf litter levels of tree species–0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45% (w/w, dry weight basis). A uniform dose of N, P and K @ 50, 11 and 10 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively from inorganic fertilizers was applied to all the treated pots. Straw and grain yield, and nutrient content of wheat increased with increasing level of uninoculated or inoculated leaf litter in both the soils. The inoculated leaf litter augmented the yield and nutrient content of crop significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to the corresponding uninoculated treatments. Poplar and dek leaf litter produced higher wheat yield, plant nutrient content and available nutrients in soil after wheat harvest than eucalypt leaf litter. Dry matter yield of sorghum raised on residual fertility increased significantly with increasing levels of leaf litter application. The comparative responses in yield and nutrient content of crops were higher in loamy sand than in the sandy loam soil. The study shows the beneficial influence of use of cellulolytic microorganisms on enhancement in decomposition and nutrient release from litterfall of tree species.     

Plant-soil interactions in multistrata agroforestry in the humid tropicsa

Multistrata agroforestry systems with tree crops comprise a variety of land use systems ranging from plantations of coffee, cacao or tea with shade trees to highly diversified homegardens and multi-storey tree gardens. Research on plant-soil interactions has concentrated on the former. Tree crop-based land use systems are more efficient in maintaining soil fertility than annual cropping systems. Certain tree crop plantations have remained productive for many decades, whereas homegardens have existed in the same place for centuries. However, cases of fertility decline under tree crops, including multistrata agroforestry systems, have also been reported, and research on the causal factors (both socioeconomic and biophysical) is needed. Plantation establishment is a critical phase, during which the tree crops require inputs but do not provide economic outputs. In larger plantations, tree crops are often established together with a leguminous cover crop, whereas in smallholder agriculture, the initial association with food crops and short-lived cash crops can have both socioeconomic and biological advantages. Fertilizers applied to, and financed by, such crops can help to `recapitalize' soil fertility and improve the development conditions of the young tree crops. Favorable effects on soil fertility and crop nutrition have been observed in associations of tree crops with N<sub>2</sub>-fixing legume trees, especially under N-deficient conditions. Depending on site conditions, the substitution of legume `service' trees with fast-growing timber trees may lead to problems of competition for nutrients and water, which may be alleviated through appropriate planting designs. The reduction of nutrient leaching and the recycling of subsoil nutrients are ways to increase the availability of nutrients in multistrata systems, and at the same time, reduce negative environmental impacts. These processes are optimized through fuller occupation of the soil volume by roots, allowing a limited amount of competition between associated species. The analysis of temporal and spatial patterns of water and nutrient availability within a system helps to optimize the use of soil resources, e.g., by showing where more plants can be added or fertilizer rates reduced. Important research topics in multistrata agroforestry include plantation establishment, plant arrangement and management for maximum complementarity of resource use in space and time, and the optimization of soil biological processes, such as soil organic matter build-up and the stabilization and improvement of soil structure by roots, fauna and microflora. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Litterfall,litter decomposition and the use of mulch of four indigenous tree species in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica

Litterfall, forest-floor litter biomass and nutrients, short-term litter decomposition and the effects of leaf mulches on initial growth of maize were studied for four indigenous tree species with agroforestry potential:Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl.(S. excelsum), Vochysia ferruginea Mart,Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. (V. hondurensis) andHyeronima alchorneoides (O), growing in a young experimental plantation in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Total annual leaf litterfall was higher inV. ferruginea plots, followed byS. microstachyum, V. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; all with values comparable to those reported for other tree species grown in agroforestry combinations in humid tropical regions. Forest-floor litter accumulation was highest underV. ferruginea andV. guatemalensis. Both litterfall and forest-floor litter material had similar patterns in nutrient concentrations: N was higher inS. microstachyum, Ca was higher inV. guatemalensis, K was higher inH. alchorneoides; Mg was higher inV. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; H. alchorneoides andV. guatemalensis had the highest P.V. ferruginea litter decomposed more slowly, whileS. microstachyum apparently decomposed faster than the other species. The twoVochysia species showed increases in N and P concentration in decomposing litter after seven weeks in the field,H. alchorneoides showed an increase in litter N and a decrease in litter P, andS. microstachyum showed a net decrease in both N and P over the same time period. The patterns found in the litter bag study were confirmed by results obtained in a tethered-leaves experiment.S. microstachyum andV. ferruginea litters lost more weight when mixed in a 11 proportion than either of them alone. Maize seedlings growing in plots mulched withS. microstachyum andH. alchorneoides leaves showed greatest initial growth, confirming patterns found in decomposition and nutrient release studies. The results show that these species could be used in agroforestry combinations with different advantages according to the specific objectives desired, whether these are soil protection, nutrient recycling, or enhancement of the growth of associated crops.     

Litter dynamics of six multipurpose trees in a homegarden in Southern Kerala, India

Multipurpose trees, the integral components of homegardens, contribute significantly to the closed nutrient cycling processes and sustainability of the ecosystem. Although, the litter production and probable nutrient returns via litter in homegardens have been documented, quantification and characterization of the decomposition and bioelement release from the litter have received relatively little scientific attention. The objective of the present study is to explore the litter dynamics of six locally important multipurpose trees (Mangifera indica L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Anacardium occidentale L., Ailanthus triphysa Dennst., Artocarpus hirsutus L. and Swietenia macrophylla L.), in an agroforestry homegarden in Southern Kerala, India. Litterfall and nutrient additions in the six species ranged from 383 to 868 g m⁻² yr⁻¹, nitrogen, 6.4 to 8.8, phosphorus, 0.17 to 0.42 and potassium, 1.1 to 2.8 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. The annual litter output in the homegarden was 425 kg with A. hirsutus, M. indica, A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale recording significantly higher litter and nutrient additions. Leaf litter decay studies revealed A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale to be the most labile litter species and S. macrophylla the most recalcitrant. The decay rate coefficients varied significantly among the species. Foliage decomposition rates related to the initial chemical composition of the litter revealed best correlation with lignin. NPK release was almost complete by the end of decay in all species inspite of the initial phases of accumulation observed for nitrogen and phosphorus. Two-way analysis of variance test revealed significant differences in the contents of the three elements as a function of species and time elapsed. Macronutrients were released in the order K>N/P. The higher rates of decay and nutrient turnover in M. indica, A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale foliage indicated the potential of using these species’ litter as nutrient inputs in agriculture while A. triphysa, A. hirsutus and S. macrophylla perform better as organic mulches taking a longer time for decay and hence nutrient release.     

Phosphorus pools in Oxisols under shaded and unshaded coffee systems on farmers' fields in Brazil

Phosphorus (P) is a primary limiting nutrient for crop production in weathered tropical soils. The deficiency is mainly caused by sorption of phosphate onto Al- and Fe- (hydr)oxides. We hypothesise that the distribution of soil P among various pools is influenced by land use. Our objective was to characterise the soil inorganic (Pi) and organic P (Po) pools and to compare the various pools at different depths in agroforestry (shaded) and monocultural (unshaded) coffee cultivation systems. The study was carried out in the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest domain, Brazil, with Oxisols as the dominant soil type. Soils were collected from four farmers' coffee (Coffea arabica L.) fields, two agroforestry and two monocultural systems. Three profiles were sampled per field, at depths of 2–3, 10–15 and 40–60 cm. A simplified sequential P fractionation was carried out, using resin, 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 0.1 M NaOH, 1 M HCl and concentrated HCl as extractants. Sum-P (resin, NaHCO₃ NaOH, 1 M HCl and concentrated HCl) ranged from 370 to 830 mg kg^–1. Concentrated HCl extracted the largest portion (74%), followed by NaOH (22.5%). Labile (sum of resin, NaHCO₃ and NaOH) P ranged from 13 to 40% of Sum-P. The major part (62%) of the labile fraction was Po. In the agroforestry fields, the amount of Po decreased less with depth and the percentage of Po in labile pools was higher than in monocultural fields. This suggests that agroforestry maintains larger fractions of P available to agricultural crops by influencing the dynamics of P through the conversion of part of the Pi into Po, thereby reducing P losses to the unavailable pools.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temporal changes in soil carbon and nitrogen in west African multistrata agroforestry systems: a chronosequence of pools and fluxes

The conversion of forests to agroecosystems or agroforests comes with many changes in biological and chemical processes. Agroforestry, a tree based agroecosystem, has shown promise with respect to enhanced system nutrient accumulation after land conversion as compared to sole cropping systems. Previous research on tropical agroforestry systems has revealed increases in soil organic matter and total organic nitrogen in the short term. However, research is lacking on long-term system level sustainability of nutrient cycles and storage, specifically in traditional multi-strata agroforestry systems, as data on both the scope and duration of nutrient instability are inconclusive and often conflicting. This study, conducted in Ghana, West Africa, focused on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a twenty-five year chronosequence of cacao (Theobroma cacao Linn.) plantations. Three treatments were selected as on-farm research sites: 2, 15 and 25-year-old plantations. Soil carbon (C, to a depth of 15 cm) varied between treatments (2 years: 22.6 Mg C ha⁻¹; 15 years: 17.6 Mg C ha⁻¹; 25 years: 18.2 Mg C ha⁻¹) with a significant difference between the 2- and 15- and the 2- and 25-year-old treatments (p < 0.05). Total soil nitrogen in the top 15 cm varied between 1.09 and 1.25 Mg N ha⁻¹ but no significant differences were noted between treatments. Soil nitrification rates and litter fall increased significantly with treatment age. However, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil temperature showed a significant decrease with age. No difference was found between decay rates of litter at each treatment age. By 25 years, system carbon sequestration rates were 3 Mg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, although results suggest that even by 15 years, system-level attributes were progressing towards those of a natural system.     

Leaf litter decomposition of dominant tree species of Namdapha National Park,Arunachal Pradesh,northeast India

Rates of weight loss and nutrient (N and P) release patterns were studied in the leaf litter of the dominant tree species (Ailanthus grandis, Altingia excelsa, Castanopsis indica, Duabanga sonneriatioides, Dysoxylum binectariferum, Mesua ferrea, Shorea assamica, Taluma hodgsonii, Terminalia myriocarpa and Vatica lancefolia) of a tropical wet evergreen forest of northeast India. Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization rate and decay pattern varied significantly from species to species. In general, the decay pattern, characterized by using a composite polynomial regression equation, exhibited three distinct phases of decay during litter decomposition—an initial slow decay phase (0.063% weight loss day⁻¹), followed by a rapid decay phase (0.494% weight loss day⁻¹) and a final slow decay phase (0.136% weight loss day⁻¹). The initial chemical composition of the litter affected decomposition rates and patterns. Species like D. sonneriatoides, D. binectariferum, and T. hodgsonii with higher N and P content, lower carbon and lignin content, and lower C:N ratio and lignin:N ratio exhibited relatively faster decomposition rates than the other species, for example M. ferrea, C. indica and A. grandis. A slow decay rate was recorded for species such as M. ferrea, C. indica, and A. grandis. The initial N and P content of litter showed significant positive correlations with decay rates. Carbon and lignin content, lignin:N, and C:N showed significant negative correlations with decay rates. Soil total N and P, and rainfall, soil temperature, and soil moisture had positive correlations with decay rates. The rapid decomposition rates observed in comparison with other different forest litter decay rates confirm that tropical wet evergreen forest species are characterized by faster decomposition rates, indicating a faster rate of organic matter turnover and rapid nutrient cycling.     

Seasonal changes in litter fall and its quality from three sub-tropical fruit tree species at Nelspruit, South Africa

Litter fall from upper storey trees in agroforestry systems contributes to nutrient cycling for the benefit of all components of the system besides serving as mulch. This study examined the seasonal changes in the quantity and quality of leaf litter fall from three sub-tropical fruit trees viz: avocado (Persea americana L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.) and litchi (Litchi chinensis L.) which have potential for use in agroforestry. Leaf litter production was estimated using nylon mesh litter traps erected over five randomly selected trees of each species in a completely randomised design. Litter quality was determined by analysing ash content and polyphenol, carbon, cellulose, lignin and nutrient concentrations over a 2?year period (2007?C2008). Total annual leaf litter production during the study period (dry matter basis) was 8.3, 6.3 and 5.6?t?ha^?1?year^?1 for litchi, mango and avocado, respectively. In both years, leaf litter fall was greatest during autumn and lowest during winter in all species. There were no significant differences in S, Ca, Mg and Mn concentrations in the leaf litter, but polyphenol, N, P and K concentrations differed significantly (P?<?0.05) between species. It was concluded that litter quality from all three tree species was low and would require appropriate management to improve its quality.     

Cardamom, mandarin and nitrogen-fixing trees in agroforestry systems in India's Himalayan region. II. Soil nutrient dynamics

A study on seasonal soil nutrient dynamics was made in large cardamom (Amonum subulatum) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata) agroforestry systems in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. Alnus nepalensis was the N₂-fixing associate in the large cardamom system, and Albizia stipulata in the mandarin agroforestry system. Sites without N₂-fixing species in both agroforestry types comprised native non-symbiotic mixed tree species. Soil was acidic in the cardamom agroforestry and slightly acidic to neutral in the mandarin agroforestry system. Total-N in soils was the highest in the forest-cardamom stand and the lowest in the mandarin-based agroforestry systems. Soil ammonium-N and nitrate-N concentrations were highly seasonal, and the ratio of seasonal maximum and minimum varied up to six times. The C/N ratio was higher in cardamom agroforestry indicating lower N availability than in the mandarin agroforestry. Cardamom stand with Alnus showed a relatively narrower C/N ratio. N₂-fixing species help in maintenance of soil organic matter levels with higher N-mineralization rate as land use change from natural-forest system to agroforestry systems with sparse tree populations. Ratios of inorganic-P/total-P were lower in cardamom agroforestry than the mandarin agroforestry. Seasonal fluctuation in Ca-PO₄, Al-PO₄ and Fe-PO₄ contents regulated the availability of phosphates to some extent for plant uptake.     

Soil properties under Acacia nilotica trees in a traditional agroforestry system in central India

Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Del is an important multipurpose tree of traditional agroforestry system in the central belt of the Indian sub-continent. The tree is reported to reduce crop yields under its canopy. However, information is lacking on the spatial variation in soil physical characters, nutrient pool sizes and their availability to crops under its canopy. The present study reports influence of three tree canopy positions, viz. mid canopy, canopy edge and canopy gap, of Acacia nilotica (≥ 12 years) on texture, organic C, total and mineral N and P, and soil pH, in 0 to 10, 10 to 20 and 20 to 30 cm depth of the soil at ten sites in a traditional agroforestry system. Sand particles declined by 10% and 9% whereas clay particles increased by 14% and 10% under mid canopy and canopy edge, respectively, compared to that under canopy gap. Clay particles did not decline significantly with soil depth under all canopy positions. Proportion of silt particles was not influenced by the canopy position. Soil organic C, total N, total P, mineral N (NO₃ ⁻-N and NH₄ ⁺-N) and P were greater under mid canopy and canopy edge positions compared to canopy gap. Soil organic C and N pool sizes were maximum in 0 to 10 cm and declined with the depth of soil. Total and mineral P contents were nearly uniform across the depths. C/N ratio tended to increase with the soil depth whereas C/P ratio declined. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth characteristics of multipurpose tree species,crop productivity and soil properties in agroforestry systems under subtropical humid climate in India

Multipurpose tree species （MPTs） were studied in an agroforestry arboretum under subtropical humid climate in Northeast India. Out of 12 MPTs planted under agroforestry systems, Acacia auriculiformis in spacing of 2 m × 2 m （2500 stems·hm^-2） could have the potentiality to meet the timber/fuelwood requirement due to its high wood production of 635 m^3·hm^-2 with mean annual increment （MAI） of 2.54×10^-2 m^3.treel.a^-1 in a short rotation period of 10 years. Thus, A. auriculiformis is a short rotation forest tree species suitable to grow in subtropical humid climate. On the other hand, at 16 years of age, Eucalyptus hybrid and Michelia champaca in spacing of 3 m × 3 m （1111 stems.hm^2） produced appreciably high timber volume of 315 m^3.hm^-2 and 165 m^3.hm^-2 with MAI of 1.77×10^-2 m^3.tree^-1·a^-1 and 0.92×10.2 m^3.tree^-1.a^-1, respectively. At 16 years of age, Gmelina arborea produced a timber volume of 147 m^3.hm^-2 with MAI of 1.47×10^-2 m^3.tree^-1.a^-1 followed by Samania saman （140 m^3.hm^-2）, Albizziaprocera （113 m^3·hm^-2） and Tectona grandis （79 m3.hm^-2） with MAI of 1.40, 1.13 and 0.78 × 10^-2 m^3 .tree^-1a^-1, respectively in 4 m × 4 m spacing （625 stems.hm^-2）. Gliricidia maculata and Leucaena leucocephala could be used as live fences around the farm boundary to supply their N-rich leaves for mulch as well as manure to crops. In agroforestry arboretum, direct seeded upland rice （Oryza sativa - variety, AR-11）, groundnut （Arachis hypogaea - variety, JL-24） and sesamum （Sesamum indicum - variety, B-67） were grown during the initial period upto 8 years of tree establishment. Under other MPTs, there was a reduction in crop productivity as compared to open space. After 8 years of tree establishment, horti-silvi and silvi-pastoral systems were developed and pineapple （Ananas comosus - variety Queen）, turmeric （Curcuma longa -variety RCT -1） and cowpea （Vigna sinensis - variety Pusa Barsati） as forage crop were raised. The productivity of p     

Litter decomposition in a subtropical plantation in Qianyanzhou,China

A long-term (20 months) bulk litter decomposition experiment was conducted in a subtropical plantation in southern China in order to test the hypothesis that stable isotope discrimination occurs during litter decomposition and that litter decomposition increases concentrations of nutrients and organic matter in soil. This was achieved by a litter bag technique. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in the remaining litter as well as δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N during the experimental period were measured. Meanwhile, organic C, alkali-soluble N and available P concentrations were determined in the soils beneath litter bags and in the soils at the control plots. The dry mass remaining (as % of the initial mass) during litter decomposition exponentially declined (y = 0.9362 e^−0.0365x , R ² = 0.93, P < 0.0001), but total C in the remaining litter did not decrease significantly with decomposition process during a 20-month period. By comparison, total N in the remaining litter significantly increased from 5.8 ± 1.7 g kg⁻¹ dw litter in the first month to 10.1 ± 1.4 g kg⁻¹ dw litter in the 20th month. During the decomposition, δ¹³C values of the remaining litter showed an insignificant enrichment, while δ¹⁵N signatures exhibited a different pattern. It significantly depleted ¹⁵N (y = −0.66x + 0.82, R ² = 0.57, P < 0.0001) during the initial 7 months while showing ¹⁵N enrichments in the remaining 13 months (y = 0.10x − 4.23, R ² = 0.32, P < 0.0001). Statistically, litter decomposition has little impact on concentrations of soil organic C and alkali-soluble N and available P in the top soil. This indicates that nutrient return to the topsoil through litter decomposition is limited and that C cycling decoupled from N cycling during decomposition in this subtropical plantation in southern China.     

Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems in Bahia,Brazil

Agroforestry systems deposit great amounts of plant residues on soil and this leads to high levels of soil organic matter content and has increased soil biodiversity and improved its conservation. This study compares the distribution of meso and macrofaunal communities in soil and litter under cacao agroforestry systems and in a natural forest in the southern Bahia state of Brazil. Soil and litter samples were obtained in September 2003, February 2004, and August 2004 in five cacao agroforestry systems. The systems evaluated included: cacao renewed under Erythrina sp. (Erythrina poeppigiana) (CRE); cacao renewed under natural forest (Cabruca, CRF); an old cacao system under Erythrina sp. (OCE); an old cacao system under a natural forest system (Cabruca, OCF) and a cacao germplasm collection area (CGC). As a reference soil and litter under a natural forest (NF) was included. Organisms were collected over a 15-day period with a Berlese–Tullgren apparatus. The density and richness of total fauna varied distinctly according to sites, sampling time and material sampled (soil and litter). 16,409 of fauna were recovered from soil and litter samples and the density of total fauna was 2,094 individuals m⁻² in the litter and 641 individuals m⁻² in the soil. The richness was 11.8 in the litter and 7.5 in the soil. The cacao agroforestry systems adopted for growing cacao in the southern Bahia region of Brazil have beneficial effects on the soil and litter faunal communities, and such systems of cacao cultivation could be considered as a conservation system for soil fauna. The development of a litter layer resulted in higher abundance and diversity of soil fauna.     

Nutrient supply at the local tree level in mixed forests of sessile oak and beech

In mixed-species forests, tree species composition can affect nutrient return through litter fall. This in turn is expected to have an effect on soil available nutrients, which could influence the nutrient status at the local tree level. Using ion-exchange resins, we estimated resin available soil nutrients at two depths beneath target trees of sessile oak and beech in the Belgian Ardennes. First we tested whether resin available nutrients were related to tree nutrition, using foliar nutrient concentrations as a proxy. In a second step, we tested whether local litter fall, through total nutrient return or litter species composition, affected resin available nutrients. In a final stage, we tested the impacts of local stand composition, as an integrated proxy of above- and belowground processes, and compared them to those of litter composition. With the exception of P for oak, nutrient supply was only poorly related to foliar nutrient concentrations for both target species. The effects of litter fall on nutrient supply were driven by litter species composition and not by total nutrient inputs. Litter composition and local stand composition effects were in close agreement. Our results show that nutrient supply to target trees in mixed-species stands is affected by local neighbourhoods, yet to a limited extent. Direct translation of resin available nutrients into foliar concentrations is probably hampered by complex capture patterns.     

Cover crops alter phosphorus soil fractions and organic matter accumulation in a Peruvian cacao agroforestry system

In many tropical soils, excessive weathering of primary minerals confounded by intense agricultural production has resulted in the depletion of organic matter and plant available forms of phosphorus (P). Long-term growth of cover crops in tropical agroforestry systems have been shown to influence nutrient cycling, and soil organic matter pools. The objective of this experiment was to assess the affect of 2 years of cover-crop cultivation on organic matter accumulation and P bioavailability using Mehlich I and sequential fractionation methods. The experiment included six treatments in the understory of a cacao-plantain agroforestry system adjacent to lower montane tropical forests of the San Martin district of Eastern Peru. Cacao and plantain formed the primary canopy on otherwise abandoned agricultural land. The treatments consisted of four perennial leguminous cover crops (Arachis pintoi, Calopogonium mucunoides, Canavalia ensiformis, and Centrosema macrocarpum), a non-legume cover crop (Callisia repens), and a control treatment (no cover crop). After only 2 years of cultivation, results suggest that all cover crop species accessed residual P pools in 0–5 cm soil depths as indicated by a decrease in the 0.5 M HCl extractable P pools when compared to control. Additional use of residual P pools by A. pintoi and C. macrocarpum were indicated by significant reduction in the 6.0 M HCl extractable P pool. Relative to control, there was no treatment effect on soil organic matter content; however significant differences occurred between treatments. The C. ensiformis, C. mucunoides and C. repens treatments in 5–15 cm soil depths contained significantly more organic matter than the A. pintoi treatment. In 15–30 cm soil depths the C. ensiformis treatment contains significantly more organic matter than the A. pintoi treatment. Continued research should focus on monitoring the long-term effects of cover crop cultivation on the bioavailability of soil P pools in surface soil horizons, development of organic matter pools and the productivity of the agroforestry species.     

Soil improvement by trees in sub-Saharan Africa

Trees can influence both the supply and availability of nutrients in the soil. Trees increase the supply of nutrients within the rooting zone of crops through (1) input of N by biological N₂ fixation, (2) retrieval of nutrients from below the rooting zone of crops and (3) reduction in nutrient losses from processes such as leaching and erosion. Trees can increase the availability of nutrients through increased release of nutrients from soil organic matter (SOM) and recycled organic residues. Roots of trees frequently extend beyond the rooting depth of crops. Research on a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox in western Kenya showed that fast-growing trees with high N demand (Calliandra calothyrsus, Sesbania sesban and Eucalyptus grandis) took up subsoil nitrate that had accumulated below the rooting depth of annual crops. Sesbania sesban was also more effective than a natural grass fallow in extracting subsoil water, suggesting less leaching loss of nutrients under S. sesban than under natural uncultivated fallows. Nutrient release from SOM is normally more dependent on the portion of the SOM in biologically active fractions than on total quantity of SOM. Trees can increase inorganic soil N, N mineralization and amount of N in light fraction SOM. Among six tree fallows of 2- and 3-year duration on an Ustic Rhodustalf in Zambia, inorganic N and N mineralization were higher for the two tree species with lowest (lignin + polyphenol)-to-N ratio (mean = 11) in leaf litter than for the two tree species with highest ratio (mean = 20) in leaf litter. Trees can also restore soil fauna, which are important for SOM and plant residue decomposition. Some agroforestry trees have potential to provide N in quantities sufficient to support moderate crop yields through (i) N inputs from biological N₂ fixation and retrieval of nitrate from deep soil layers and (ii) cycling of N from plant residues and manures. The cycling of P from organic materials is normally insufficient to meet the P requirements of crops. Sustained crop production with agroforestry on P-deficient soils will typically require external P inputs. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.