Single-tree effects in agroforestry with perennial crops - an approach to the optimisation of tropical land use systems.
2018
SCHROTH, G. | TEIXEIRA, W. G. | VILLANI, E. | FACCIN, P. O. | HAAG, D. | WOLF, M. A. | CORREIA, F. W. S. | SILVA, L. F. da | SEIXAS, R. | ZECH, W.
The study on single-tree effects of useful tree species with the objective of characterizing the ecological role that a species plays when it is included in man-made ecosystems as a function of its morphological and physiological properties as modified by species interactions and management practices. It was measured the small-scale patterns of above- and belowground biomass and nutrient accumulation, root distribution, soil fertility, soil solution composition, quantity and nutrient accumulation concentration of rainwater, throughfall and stem flow, soil hydrology, soil physics and microclimate, among other variables, in a number of man-made and natural vegetation systems of differing structure and composition during two years. These included a polycultural system with Bactris gasipaes (pupunha), Theobroma grandiflorum (cupuacu), Bixa orellana (urucum), Bertholletia excelsa (castanha-do-Brasil) and Pueraria phaseoloides (pueraria) at two fertilization levels; three monocultures with pupunha (either for fruit or palmito) and cupuacu; a young fallow dominated by Vismia spp and primary rainforest. The measurements produced evidence for differences of agronomic significance between the investigated plant species and cropping systems at numerous levels, including biomass accumulation, root distribution and soil fertility. Two examples for ecologically and agronomically significant single-tree effects are briefly discussed, with special emphasis on the practical recommendations which can be derived from this type of information: stand hydrology, and accumulation of mineral nitrogen in the subsoil.
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