Biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera under different planting densities and levels of nitrogen fertilization

The effect of different planting densities (100,000 and 167,000 plants ha^?1) and levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 261, 521, and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) on biomass production and chemical composition of Moringa oleifera was studied in a split-plot design with four randomized complete blocks over 2 years with eight cuts year^?1 at the National Agrarian University farm in Managua, Nicaragua (12°09′30.65″N, 86°10′06.32″W, altitude 50 m above sea level). Density 167,000 plants ha^?1 produced significantly higher total dry matter yield (TDMY) and fine fraction yield (FFDM), 21.2 and 19.2 ton ha^?1 respectively, compared with 11.6 and 11 ton ha^?1 for 100,000 plants ha^?1. Growth rate in 167,000 plants ha^?1 was higher than in 100,000 plants ha^?1 (0.06 compared with 0.03 ton ha^?1 day^?1). Average plant height was 119 cm irrespective of planting density. Fertilization at the 521 and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 levels produced the highest TDMY and FFDM in both years of the study and along all cuts. The interaction between cut and year was significant, with the highest TDMY and FFDM during the rainy season in the second year. Chemical composition of fractions showed no significant differences between planting densities. Significantly higher crude protein content was found in the coarse fraction at fertilizer levels 521 and 782 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 (87.9 and 93.7 g kg^?1 DM) compared with lower levels. The results indicate that Moringa can maintain up to 27 ton ha^?1 dry matter yield under dry tropical forest conditions over time at a planting density of 167,000 plants ha^?1 if the soil is regularly supplied with N at a level of approximately 521 kg ha year^?1 in conditions where phosphorus and potassium are not limiting.     

Quantifying biological nitrogen fixation of agroforestry shrub species using 15N dilution techniques under greenhouse conditions

Some land-use systems in Saskatchewan, Canada include the nitrogen-fixing trees buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea Nutt.), caragana (Caragana arborescens Lam.) and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). These species provide various ecological functions such as ameliorating soil moisture, light and temperature but little work has been done quantifying biological nitrogen fixation by these species. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to quantify N₂-fixation using the ¹⁵N natural abundance and the ¹⁵N dilution methods. Buffaloberry failed to form nodules in all but one of the four replicates in the natural abundance experiment. Using the ¹⁵N dilution method, the percentage of N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) in the shoot of buffaloberry averaged 64 %. For caragana, the mean  %Ndfa was 59 and 65 % and seabuckthorn was 70 and 73 % measured using the natural abundance and dilution methods, respectively. Because of large variability in biomass production between plants grown in the natural abundance experiment and the dilution experiment, the amounts of N₂ fixed also were very variable. Buffaloberry fixed an average of 0.89 g N m^?2; the average for caragana ranged from 1.14 to 4.12 g N m^?2 and seabuckthorn ranged from 0.85 to 3.77 g N m^?2 in the natural abundance and dilution experiments, respectively. This corresponds to 16 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 for buffaloberry; an average of 15–73 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 in caragana and 11–67 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 in seabuckthorn. The substantial amounts of N₂ fixed by these species indicate that they have the potential to contribute to the overall N balance in land-use systems in which they are included.     

The benefits of phosphorus fertilization of trees grown on salinized croplands in the lower reaches of Amu Darya, Uzbekistan

Afforestation of degraded croplands by planting N₂-fixing trees in arid regions is highly recognized. However, fixation of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂) by woody perennials is often limited on phosphorus (P) poor soils, while any factor limiting N nutrition inhibits tree growth. In a two-factorial field experiment, the effect of three P amendments was examined during 2006–2008 on N₂ fixation, biomass production, and foliage feed quality of actinorhizal Elaeagnus angustifolia L. and leguminous Robinia pseudoacacia L. With the ¹⁵N natural abundance method, N₂ fixation was quantified based on foliar and whole-tree sampling against three non-N₂-fixing reference species: Gleditsia triacanthos L., Populus euphratica Oliv., and Ulmus pumila L. The P applications, in March 2006 and April 2007 only, included (i) high-P (90 kg P ha^?1), (ii) low-P (45 kg P ha^?1), and (iii) 0-P. After 3 years, the average proportion of N derived from atmosphere (Ndfa, %) increased from 78 % with 0-P to 87 % with high P when confounded over both N₂-fixing species. With the used density of 5,714 trees ha^?1, the total amount of N₂ fixed (Ndfa, kg N ha^?1) with high-P increased from 64 kg N ha^?1 (year 1) to 807 kg N ha^?1 (year 3) in E. angustifolia and from 9 kg N ha^?1 (year 1) to 155 kg N ha^?1 (year 3) in R. pseudoacacia. Total above-ground biomass increases were too variable to be significant. Leaf N content and therewith also leaf crude protein content, which is an indicator for feed quality, increased significantly (24 %) with high-P when compared to 0-P for E. angustifolia. Overall findings indicated the suitability of the two N₂-fixing species for afforestating salt-affected croplands, low in soil P. With P-applications as low as 90 kg P ha^?1, the production potential of E. angustifolia and R. pseudoacacia, including the supply of protein-rich feed, could be increased on salt-affected croplands.     

Silvopastoral use of Nothofagus antarctica in Southern Patagonian forests, influence over net nitrogen soil mineralization

In most temperate forest, nitrogen (N) is considered a limiting factor. This becomes important in extreme environments, as Nothofagus antarctica forests, where the antecedents are scarce. Thinning practices in N. antarctica forests for silvopastoral uses may modify the soil N dynamics. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the temporal variation of soil N in these ecosystems. The mineral extractable soil N, net nitrification and net N mineralization were evaluated under different crown cover and two site quality stands. The mineral N extractable (NH₄ ⁺–N + NO₃ ^?–N) was measured periodically. Net nitrification and net N mineralization were estimated through the technique of incubation of intact samples with tubes. The total mineral extractable N concentration varied between crown cover and dates, with no differences among site classes. The lowest and highest values were found in the minimal and intermediate crown cover, respectively. In the higher site quality stand, the annual net N mineralization was lower in the minimal crown cover reaching 11 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, and higher in the maximal crown cover (54 kg N ha^?1 year^?1). In the lower site quality stand there was no differences among crown cover. The same pattern was found for net nitrification. Thinning practices for silvopastoral use of these forests, keeping intermediate crown cover values, did not affect both N mineralization and nitrification. However, the results suggest that total trees removal from the ecosystem may decrease N mineralization and nitrification.     

Forage yield and quality of Leucaena leucocephala and Guazuma ulmifolia in mixed and pure fodder banks systems in Yucatan,Mexico

In tropical areas of Mexico, Leucaena leucocephala is widely used in silvopastoral systems. However, little information exists on other native woody species of high forage potential, such as Guazuma ulmifolia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the components of biomass, forage yield and quality, and availability of N in fodder banks of L. leucocephala, G. ulmifolia, and a mixture of both species during dry and rainy seasons, under sub-humid tropical conditions. The experimental unit was a 5 × 10 m plot, containing three rows with 2 m between rows; each row had 20 plant positions with 0.50 m between plants. Within each plant position there was either a single plant, in the case of pure-crop, or two plants, in the case of mixed of both species. A complete randomized block design with three repetitions was used. In both seasons, there were a significantly greater proportion of leaves in the G. ulmifolia fodder banks (71 %) and in mixed fodder banks (69 %) than in L. leucocephala fodder banks (64 %). Consequently, these systems had leaf-to-stem ratios of 2.4, 2.2 and 1.9, respectively. The forage yield of fodder banks was not influenced by season. The mixed fodder bank had greater forage yield (5.1 t DM ha^?1) than the L. leucocephala fodder bank (3.4 t DM ha^?1) in each season. Additionally, the mixed fodder bank accumulated more forage yield during the experimental period (10.2 t DM ha^?1 year^?1) than G. ulmifolia (9.0 t DM ha^?1 year^?1) or L. leucocephala (6.9 t DM ha^?1 year^?1). The concentrations of CP, C and C:N were not influenced by season. Forage NDF and ADF concentrations were greater in the rainy season (476 g kg^?1 DM) compared with the dry season (325 g kg^?1 DM). Mixed fodder banks had the greatest N yield (185.9 kg ha^?1) and consequently the greatest availability of N (371.8 kg N ha^?1 year^?1). We conclude that mixed fodder banks of L. leucocephala and G. ulmifolia are a better option for improving productivity and forage quality in comparison with pure fodder banks in Yucatan, Mexico.     

Conversion of tropical moist forest into cacao agroforest: consequences for carbon pools and annual C sequestration

Tropical forests store a large part of the terrestrial carbon and play a key role in the global carbon (C) cycle. In parts of Southeast Asia, conversion of natural forest to cacao agroforestry systems is an important driver of deforestation, resulting in C losses from biomass and soil to the atmosphere. This case study from Sulawesi, Indonesia, compares natural forest with nearby shaded cacao agroforests for all major above and belowground biomass C pools (n = 6 plots) and net primary production (n = 3 plots). Total biomass (above- and belowground to 250 cm soil depth) in the forest (approx. 150 Mg C ha^?1) was more than eight times higher than in the agroforest (19 Mg C ha^?1). Total net primary production (NPP, above- and belowground) was larger in the forest than in the agroforest (approx. 29 vs. 20 Mg dry matter (DM) ha^?1 year^?1), while wood increment was twice as high in the forest (approx. 6 vs. 3 Mg DM ha^?1 year^?1). The SOC pools to 250 cm depth amounted to 134 and 78 Mg C ha^?1 in the forest and agroforest stands, respectively. Replacement of tropical moist forest by cacao agroforest reduces the biomass C pool by approximately 130 Mg C ha^?1; another 50 Mg C ha^?1 may be released from the soil. Further, the replacement of forest by cacao agroforest also results in a 70–80 % decrease of the annual C sequestration potential due to a significantly smaller stem increment.     

Radial growth of Norway spruce and Scots pine: effects of nitrogen deposition experiments

The growth patterns of annually resolved tree rings are good indicators of local environmental changes, making dendrochronology a valuable tool in air pollution research. In the present study, tree-ring analysis was used to assess the effects of 16 years (1991–2007) of chronic nitrogen (N) deposition, and 10 years (1991–2001) of reduced nitrogen input, on the radial growth of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing in the experimental area of Lake Gårdsjön, southwest Sweden. In addition to the ambient input of c. 15 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, dissolved NH₄NO₃ was experimentally added to a 0.52-ha watershed at a rate of c. 40 kg ha^?1 year^?1. Atmospheric N depositions were reduced by means of a below-canopy plastic roof, which covered a 0.63-ha catchment adjacent to the fertilized site. The paired design of the experiment allowed tree growth in the N-treated sites to be compared with the growth at a reference plot receiving ambient N deposition. Nitrogen fertilization had a negative impact on pine growth, while no changes were observed in spruce. Similarly, the reduction in N and other acidifying compounds resulted in a tendency towards improved radial growth of pine, but it did not significantly affect the spruce growth. These results suggest that spruce is less susceptible to changes in the acidification and N status of the forest ecosystem than pine, at least in the Gårdsjön area.     

Coffee agroecosystem performance under full sun, shade, conventional and organic management regimes in Central America

Changes in coffee economics are leading producers to reduce agrochemical use and increase the use of shade. Research is needed on how to balance the competition from shade trees with the provision of ecological services to the coffee. In 2000, long-term coffee experiments were established in Costa Rica and Nicaragua to compare coffee agroecosystem performance under full sun, legume and non-legume shade types, and intensive and moderate conventional and organic inputs. Coffee yield from intensive organic production was not significantly different from intensive conventional in Nicaragua, but in Costa Rica it was lower during three of the six harvests. Full sun coffee production over 6 years was greater than shaded coffee in Costa Rica (61.8 vs. 44.7 t ha^?1, P = 0.0002). In Nicaragua, full sun coffee production over 5 years (32.1 t ha^?1) was equal to coffee with shade that included Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC., (27?C30 t ha^?1) and both were more productive (P = 0.03) than coffee shaded with Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. (21.6 t ha^?1). Moderate input organic production was significantly lower than other managements under all shade types, except in the presence of Erythrina poepiggina (Walp.) O.F. Cook. Inga and Erythrina had greater basal area and nutrient recycling from prunings than other shade species. Intensive organic production increased soil pH and P, and had higher K compared to moderate conventional. Although legume shade trees potentially provide ecological services to associated coffee, this depends on management of the competition from those same trees.     

Avoiding the loss of shade coffee plantations: how to derive conservation payments for risk-averse land-users

We usually have only limited knowledge about the economic consequences of land-use decisions, thus they are uncertain. We analyze the implications of this uncertainty on conservation payments (CP) to preserve wildlife-friendly shade coffee production in southwest Ecuador, when conversion to maize is the most profitable alternative. Our objective is twofold: First, we analyze the consequences of applying Stochastic Dominance (SD) to derive CP, an approach making only minimal assumptions about the preferences of farmers. Second, we investigate the effects of land-use diversification to reduce CP by allowing for shade coffee on part of a landholding, and maize production on what remains. CP derived by SD turned out to be at least twice the amount calculated by an alternative method which maximizes a concave utility function—US$ 166 to US$ 294 ha^?1 year^?1 instead of US$ 86 ha^?1 year^?1. Given this result, we doubt that the assumptions underlying SD are reasonable for farmers, who are known to be risk-averse. Allowing for land-use diversification has a significant impact on CP. The optimal portfolio share of shade coffee is 27 % and for maize 73 % for moderately risk-averse farmers—without any CP. A larger share of shade coffee is preferable for strongly risk-averse farmers—51 and 49 % maize. The amount of CP necessary to encourage the expansion of shade coffee to 75 % is US$ 40 ha^?1 year^?1 (for moderately risk-averse) and US$ 19 ha^?1 year^?1 (for strongly risk-averse farmers). Stimulating diversification may thus help to significantly reduce CP necessary to preserve less profitable agroforestry options.     

Crop response and soil fertility as influenced by green leaves of indigenous agroforestry tree species in a lowland rice system in northeast India

Field experiments were conducted during rainy seasons of three consecutive years (2008–2010) to study the effect of green leaf manuring on dry matter partitioning and productivity of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Green leaves of five indigenous agroforestry tree species viz., Erythrina indica, Acacia auriculiformis, Alnus nepalensis, Parkia roxburghii, and Cassia siamea were treated at 10 t ha^?1 on fresh weight basis in rice fields and compared with recommended N–P₂O₅–K₂O (80:60:40 kg ha^?1) and control treatments. During 2008–2009 year, yield attributes and rice yield were greater in NPK plots as compared to the green-leaf manured ones. However, in the third year, green leaf manuring (except that of Alnus) surpassed even the recommended N–P₂O₅–K₂O treatment in terms of dry matter production and yield; better response was however observed with Erythrina. The soil available N after final harvest increased by ca. 14–20 % in Alnus and Erythrina treated plots as compared to the control. Over all, it could be said that management of plant residues can have long-term implications apart from the desired maintenance of soil organic matter and improving crop yield.     

Nitrogen distribution as affected by stocking density in a combined production system of energy crops and free-range pigs

Free-range pig production is typically associated with high risks of nitrogen (N) leaching due to the pigs excretory behaviour creating nitrogen ‘hotspots’ and rooting behaviour destroying the grass sward. This challenge is reinforced at high animal densities causing high nitrogen deposition. A combined production of pigs and perennial energy crops was hypothesized to benefit the environment because crops like miscanthus (Miscanthus), willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus) may persist despite pig rooting, take up nutrients and thereby minimise N-losses. Thus, the aim was to assess the risk of nitrate leaching by investigating the distribution of soil mineral N as influenced by stocking density in a system with zones of perennial energy crops and grass. For each of two seasons 36 growing pigs with an initial mean live weight of 55 kg (spring) and 48 kg (autumn), respectively, were separated into 6 paddocks of two stocking densities (117 and 367 m² pig^?1), respectively. Soil mineral N was measured in 0–25 and 25–75 cm depth at three occasions. N balances showed that N inputs exceeded N outputs by 626 and 185 kg N ha^?1 for high and low stocking density. The pigs caused an uneven distribution of mineral N across the paddocks with highest contents in zones with willow & poplar. Stocking density had a significant effect on soil mineral N. Immediately after the second batch of pigs, average mineral N in the 0–75 cm soil layer was on average 227 and 83 kg N ha^?1 at high and low stocking density, respectively. During winter period with no pigs, soil mineral N content in the 0–75 cm soil layer was reduced by almost 100 kg N ha^?1 in paddocks with high stocking density against only 4 kg in paddocks with low stocking density. It is concluded that risk of elevated nitrate leaching compared to other cropping systems was low at the low stocking density, which therefore represents a promising pathway for a combined production of energy crops and free-range pigs.     

The role of brash in augmenting forest site carbon capital and maintaining site nutrition in a Sitka spruce forest in Ireland

The decomposition of harvest residues (brash) in managed forests has an important influence on the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks of these ecosystems. The brash input from thinning events in a 25-year-old Sitka spruce plantation was determined. A litter-bag method was used to determine the mass loss and decomposition rate of brash left on the forest floor. The changes in C and N concentrations and the C:N ratio of the needles and branches were also monitored as decomposition progressed for 2.5 years. Using the decomposition rate (k _b) and estimated brash inputs, we then determined the total cumulative stock of C that the brash could supply to the deadwood pool over a 41-year rotation period. The three thinning events resulted in the addition of 37.99 t C ha^?1 and 0.61 t N ha^?1 to the forest floor. A significant mass loss of 44 % was recorded from brash decomposition bags after 2.5 years, with a rapid loss of 35 % in the first year, after which the rate of decomposition slowed. The k _b-value and residence time (95 % decomposition) were 0.311 year^?1 and 9.6 years, respectively. There was a 69 % increase in the N concentration of needles after 1.5 years, while an increase of 185 % in the N concentration of branches was recorded after 2.5 years. The C concentration (48.55 ± 0.20 %) did not differ significantly between the needles and branches over time. The accumulated C stock from decomposing brash at clearfell was estimated at 18.51 t C ha^?1.     

Shade trees: a determinant to the relative success of organic versus conventional coffee production

Greater understanding of the influences on long-term coffee productivity are needed to develop systems that are profitable, while maximizing ecosystem services and lowering negative environmental impacts. We examine a long-term experiment (15 years) established in Costa Rica in 2000 and compare intensive conventional (IC) coffee production under full sun with 19 agroforestry systems combining timber and service tree species with contrasting characteristics, with conventional and organic managements of different intensities. We assessed productivity through coffee yield and coffee morphological characteristics. IC had the highest productivity but had the highest yield bienniality; in the agroforestry systems productivity was similar for moderate conventional (MC) and intensive organic (IO) treatments (yield 5.3 vs. 5.0 t ha^?1 year^?1). Significantly lower yields were observed under shade than full sun, but coffee morphology was similar. Low input organic production (LO) declined to zero under the shade of the non-legume timber tree Terminalia amazonia but when legume tree species were chosen (Erythrina poepiggiana, Chloroleucon eurycyclum) LO coffee yield was not significantly different than for IO. For the first 6 years, coffee yield was higher under the shade of timber trees (Chloroleucon and Terminalia), while in the subsequent 7 years, Erythrina systems were more productive; presumably this is due to lower shade covers. If IC full sun plantations are not affordable or desired in the future, organic production is an interesting alternative with similar productivity to MC management and in LO systems incorporation of legume tree species is shown to be essential.     

Carbon stocks in coffee agroforests and mixed dry tropical forests in the western highlands of Guatemala

Tree removal in Latin American coffee agroforestry systems has been widespread due to complex and interacting factors that include fluctuating international markets, government-supported agricultural policies, and climate change. Despite shade tree removal and land conversion risks, there is currently no widespread policy incentive encouraging the maintenance of shade trees for the benefit of carbon sequestration. In facilitation of such incentives, an understanding of the capacity of coffee agroforests to store carbon relative to tropical forests must be developed. Drawing on ecological inventories conducted in 2007 and 2010 in the Lake Atitlán region of Guatemala, this research examines the carbon pools of smallholder coffee agroforests (CAFs) as they compare to a mixed dry forest (MDF) system. Data from 61 plots, covering a total area of 2.24 ha, was used to assess the aboveground, coarse root, and soil carbon reservoirs of the two land-use systems. Results of this research demonstrate the total carbon stocks of CAFs to range from 74.0 to 259.0 Megagrams (Mg)?C ha^?1 with a mean of 127.6?±?6.6 (SE)?Mg?C ha^?1. The average carbon stocks of CAFs was significantly lower than estimated for the MDF (198.7?±?32.1?Mg?C?ha^?1); however, individual tree and soil pools were not significantly different suggesting that agroforest shade trees play an important role in facilitating carbon sequestration and soil conservation. This research demonstrates the need for conservation-based initiatives which recognize the carbon sequestration benefits of coffee agroforests alongside natural forest systems.     

Modeling carbon stock dynamics under fallow and cocoa agroforest systems in the shifting agricultural landscape of Central Cameroon

With increasing concerns raised by climate change, understanding biological processes within cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) agroforest (CAF) and fallow systems is a prerequisite for developing actions related to emission reduction in the shifting agricultural landscape of Cameroon. Carbon (C) stocks and accretion were assessed and modeled in various C components (large trees, small trees, dead wood, litter, roots, soil, and total C) of fallow and CAF systems along a 50-year chronosequence. Several functions were empirically fitted to a time series of C stocks. Large tree, soil, and total C stocks were best described by a logistic growth function while that for small trees by a rational quadratic function. The best-fitted functions explained 72–96 % of C stock accumulation over time. Two metrics describing C stock accretion were derived from these functions: the point of maximum C growth and the C growth coefficient (GC). The rate of maximum growth of total C stock was reached after 12–13 years in both fallow and CAF, with maximum GCs of 6.9 and 6.3 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. Over the 50-year period, the GCs of total C stocks varied between 0.2 and 6.9 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1, with quick accumulation within the first decade that then slowed until it levelled off after 45 years. Over a period of about 30 years, both systems sequestered a total of ~200 Mg C ha^?1. This indicates that cocoa agroforests, a main source of income for local populations, can also provide significant climate change mitigation services.     

Aboveground biomass increment and stand dynamics in tropical evergreen broadleaved forest

Forest ecosystems can modify the atmospheric CO₂ through biomass accumulation mostly in tree stems with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm. Aboveground biomass increment (ΔAGB), and changes in stand AGB, no. stems and basal area (BA) were calculated from mortality, recruitment, and growth data of tree stems in tropical evergreen broadleaved forest, Central Highland Vietnam. Data were derived from ten 1-ha permanent plots established in 2004, where all stems with DBH ≥ 10 cm were tagged, identified to species, and measured for DBH in 2004 and 2012. In an 8-year duration, the increment was 53 ± 10 stems ha^–1, 7.8 ± 0.3 m² ha^–1 for BA and 86.0 ± 4.6 Mg ha^–1 for AGB. The stem mortality rate was 0.9% year^–1 and the stem recruitment rate was 2.2% year^–1. Annual ΔAGB was 10.8 Mg ha^–1 year^–1, equaling to 5.4 Mg C ha^–1 year^–1. Of which, tree stems of 35–80 cm DBH classes accounted for 65%. The results indicated that the forest is in stage of carbon sequestration. Any disturbances causing death of 35–80 cm DBH tree stems will much reduce carbon sequestration capacity and it will take a long time for AGB to return to pre-disturbance stage.     

Floristic diversity,carbon storage and ecological services of eucalyptus agrosystems in Cameroon

Although agrosystems are recognized for their socio-economic value, few works have been conducted to assign its sequestration potential and ecological services. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the ecological services of the eucalyptus stands in order to permit to small producers the access in carbon credit market. Three stands were selected according to age. Data were compared to that of a savannah (control). In total, 12,817 individuals belonging to 30 families, 53 genera and 70 species were identified in the plantations against 7107 individuals belonging to 24 families, 36 genera and 42 species in the savannah. Gmelina, Annona, Hymenocardia, Allophyllus, Daniellia, Terminalia and Piliostigma were the most represented genera. There was no significant difference between Savannah and plantations in terms of diversity (p > 0.05). The largest stock of carbon was found in oldest stands (108.51 ± 26.46 t C/ha) against 13.62 ± 3.03 t C/ha in Savannah. Eucalyptus saligna stored 39.66 t C/ha (4 t C ha^?1year^?1) in young stands; 57.28 t C/ha (6 t C ha^?1year^?1) in medium stands and 85.46 t C/ha (9 t C ha^?1year^?1) in old stands. The sequestration potential was higher in eucalyptus stands (398.25 t CO_2eq/ha) than savannah (50.05 t CO_2eq/ha). In total 956.82 t CO_2eq/ha were sequestered for an economic value of $9568.45/ha against 50.05 t CO_2eq/ha corresponding to $500.56/ha in Savannah. Eucalyptus stands are carbon sinks and could be an opportunity for financial benefits in the event of payment for environmental services in the context of the CDM process.     

Impact of drip fertigation on arecanut–cocoa system in humid tropics of India

A 5-year field trial was conducted on a laterite soil to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertigations in arecanut sole and arecanut–cocoa land use systems at Vittal, India. Arecanut registered similar yield levels in sole and arecanut–cocoa cropping situations (3,022–3,117 kg ha^?1). Fertigation of 75 % NPK, vermicompost extract (VCE) 20 % N and VCE (10 and 20 % N)+25 % NPK registered the same yield levels (3,029–3,375 kg ha^?1). Dry bean yield of cocoa was at par with fertigation of 75 % NPK and 20 % N VCE + 25 % NPK (291–335 kg ha^?1). Fertigation @ 75 % NPK increased the yield of cocoa by 52 % over VCE alone. The productivity per unit area (kg ha^?1) was significant and higher by 12 % in arecanut–cocoa system (3,450) than arecanut sole (3,090). Productivity was similar to fertigation of 75 % NPK, 20 % N VCE and VCE (10 or 20 % N) + 25 % NPK (3,316–3,665 kg ha^?1). Leaf nutrient status of arecanut and cocoa indicated lower levels of N and K and above normal levels of Ca, Mg and micronutrients. The results indicate that drip fertigation increases the productivity, but precision application of N and K is required for sustaining the yields.     

Short-term changes in the soil carbon stocks of young oil palm-based agroforestry systems in the eastern Amazon

The current expansion of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the Brazilian Amazon has mainly occurred within smallholder agricultural and degraded areas. Under the social and environmental scenarios associated with these areas, oil palm-based agroforestry systems represent a potentially sustainable method of expanding the crop. The capacity of such systems to store carbon (C) in the soil is an important ecosystem service that is currently not well understood. Here, we quantified the spatial variation of soil C stocks in young (2.5-year-old) oil palm-based agroforestry systems with contrasting species diversity (high vs. low); both systems were compared with a ~10-year-old forest regrowth site and a 9-year-old traditional agroforestry system. The oil palm-based agroforestry system consisted of series of double rows of oil palm and strips of various herbaceous, shrub, and tree species. The mean (±standard error) soil C stocks at 0–50 cm depth were significantly higher in the low (91.8 ± 3.1 Mg C ha^?1) and high (87.6 ± 3.3 Mg C ha^?1) species diversity oil palm-based agroforestry systems than in the forest regrowth (71.0 ± 2.4 Mg C ha^?1) and traditional agroforestry (68.4 ± 4.9 Mg C ha^?1) sites. In general, no clear spatial pattern of soil C stocks could be identified in the oil palm-based agroforestry systems. The significant difference in soil carbon between the oil palm area (under oil palm: 12.7 ± 2.3 Mg C ha^?1 and between oil palm: 10.6 ± 0.5 Mg C ha^?1) and the strip area (17.0 ± 1.4 Mg C ha^?1) at 0–5 cm depth very likely reflects the high input of organic fertilizer in the strip area of the high species diversity oil palm-based agroforestry system treatment. Overall, our results indicate a high level of early net accumulation of soil C in the oil palm-based agroforestry systems (6.6–8.3 Mg C ha^?1 year^?1) that likely reflects the combination of fire-free land preparation, organic fertilization, and the input of plant residues from pruning and weeding.     

Method for estimation of stem carbon fixation of Japanese black pine by combining stem analysis and soft X-ray densitometry

We derived a formula for estimating the relationship between stem carbon weight and stem volume, which was calculated from DBH and tree height using a combination of stem analysis and soft X-ray densitometry. The results indicate carbon weight in a 33-year-old coastal Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) forest is approximately 68,186 kg ha^?1 in Yamagata Prefecture and 38,253 kg ha^?1in a 42-year-old black pine forest in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Also, age-related changes in the stem density following oven-drying of samples of black pine trees are small: the oven-dried density (hereafter “density”) of black pine trees in the two locations mentioned above were 425.6 (kg m^?3) and 523.2 (kg m^?3) respectively, which is comparable to the density (converted from basic density) of black pine of Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) (533 kg m^?3). When compared with the carbon weight by the oven-dried density of LULUCF, the carbon weights calculated from each density were 27 % lower in Yamagata and 6 % lower in Hokkaido. This difference directly affects carbon weight for large-scale estimation and thus can create an error at a regional scale. This methodology can contribute to the management of forests acting as carbon sinks.