| |
posted by
1 person
TeresitaAmezcua
Abstract
Reduction in forage production (FP) under trees in the humid tropics is well known, but information on how different levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer influence FP under trees is meager. The present study reports effects of four N fertilizer levels (0, 60, 80 and 120 kg ha−1 N) on net soil N mineralization rate (NMR) and soil moisture (SM), FP, shoot biomass/root biomass ratio (SB/RB), N concentration in SB, N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of three grasses [guinea (Panicum maximum Jacq.), para ...
|
| |
Abstract
The integrated relationship in a simple mechanistic model between the critical environmental factors controlling leaf photosynthesis of understory species would be a useful tool to optimize the management of the silvopastoral systems. Individual effect of leaf temperature, water stress and light environment over net maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) was evaluated on Festuca pallescens leaves grown in a silvopastoral system of two Pinus ponderosa canopy covers (350 and 500 trees ha−1) and natural grassland. The aim was to integrate individual functions for Pmax against ...
|
| |
posted by
1 person
TeresitaAmezcua
Abstract
The effect of orientation, location, year, and pruning treatment on mean acorn mass in two open woodland experimental locations (Huelva, South-Western Spain) of Holm Oak ( Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) was analyzed during 2001–2006. Data were analyzed by using a mixed linear model, where the covariates were tree size parameters (circumference at 80 cm height, crown size), topographic position (wet index and flow length), intraspecific competition, total acorn crops per tree (weight and number), and climatic parameters. Average ...
|
| |
Abstract
Agroforestry systems often receive attention and support in the literature for what is perceived as the benefits from multiple products associated with the trees that create the forest component of the setting. A comparison of small coffee growers’ use of fruits derived from the coffee agroforestry holding in Guatemala and Peru reveals that significant differences exist between these groups—not merely in the importance of the fruits themselves, but in the ways they are used. The overall importance of fruits ...
|
| |
Abstract
Buffers have been found to reduce non-point source pollution (NPSP) from watersheds. Hydrologic simulation models assist in predicting the effects of buffers on runoff and sediment losses from small watersheds. The objective of this study was to calibrate, validate and simulate runoff and sediment losses and compare buffer effects on NPSP losses relative to control watersheds (no buffer) for seven years. The experimental design consists of four watersheds under pasture management which were monitored from 2002 through 2008; two with agroforestry ...
|
| |
Abstract
Response of Theobroma cacao L. (cacao) and the shade tree Inga edulis Mart. (inga) seedlings from an organically-grown cacao plantation to inoculation with native arbuscular mycorrhizae forming fungi (AMF) was studied in a cross-inoculation assay under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings of inga and cacao were grown in pots filled with heat-treated soil from the plantation. Control was heat-treated soil without inoculum and roots of cacao and inga from the plantation were applied as AMF inocula. Undisturbed soil blocks were used as a ...
|
| |
Abstract
The lack of high quality agroforestry tree germplasm has long been recognized as one of the major challenges to widespread adoption of agroforestry in Southern Africa. Productivity levels realized in operational scale plantings are far less than those demonstrated in research and this has been partly blamed on the use of germplasm of unknown quality and low productivity potential. The lack of high quality germplasm is attributable to the absence of regulations to govern its production in the countries promoting agroforestry. ...
|
| |
Abstract
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a traditional economic tree species in China, and often cultivated in agroforestry systems. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of different Ginkgo and crop species combinations on soil fertility. We established two Ginkgo and crop species systems: Ginkgo + wheat + soybean (G+W+S), Ginkgo + rape + soybean (G+R+S), and one Ginkgo + mulberry (G+M) system, one pure mulberry plantation (M), and one crop systems of rape + soybean (R+S) in the field. Soil chemical properties and enzymes activities were measured 4 years after planting. ...
|
| |
posted by
1 person
TeresitaAmezcua
Abstract
This special issue includes a series of manuscripts presented at the second World Congress of Agroforestry held in Nairobi, Kenya, 23–28 August 2009. The studies were performed in various tropical and temperate regions. They cover a wide range of topics on nutrient cycling in different agroforestry types: soil organic matter fractions, biological N2 fixation and soil enrichment. All of these case studies showed that soil organic matter fractions play an important role in soil C sequestration and nutrient cycling processes in ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract An investigation was carried out in an Entisol at farmers’ field in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India during 2002–2004 to evaluate the effect of traditionally grown trees on soil biological characteristics. Traditionally grown trees in farm lands for study consisted of Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) and Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. having a canopy diameter of 8 m. Results revealed significant and substantial improvement in soil biological activity in terms of microbial biomass C, N and P, ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract The conversion of silvopasture to different land use systems cause effective changes in soil carbon distribution, due to disturbances in soil aggregation promoted by soil management and changes in crop residues inputs and decomposability. We evaluate the C and N stocks, and organic C fractions in soils under continuous arable land (AR) and silvopasture with apple trees and grass (SP); and after 4 years of conversion from silvopasture to arable land (SP-AR) and grassland (SP-GL). Total N (TN) and organic C ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Agroforestry systems can play a major role in the sequestration of carbon (C) because of their higher input of organic material to the soil. The importance of organic carbon to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil quality is well recognized. However, total organic carbon measurements might not be sensitive indicators of changes in soil quality. Adoption of procedures that can extract the more labile fraction preferentially might be a more useful approach for the characterization of soil organic carbon ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Nitrogen inputs from biological nitrogen fixation contribute to productivity and sustainability of agroforestry systems but they need to be able to offset export of N when trees are harvested. This study assessed magnitudes of biological nitrogen fixation (natural 15N abundance) and N balance of Acacia mangium woodlots grown in farmer’s fields, and determined if N2 fixation capacity was affected by tree age. Tree biomass, standing litter, understory vegetation and soil samplings were conducted in 15 farmer’s fields growing A. mangium as ...
|
| |
Abstract
Homegardens are a common feature of indigenous dwellings in the savannas of Roraima, northern Brazil. In order to evaluate the effect of homegardens on soils, samples were taken in 5 sites each in the categories new homegardens (0â10-years old), established homegardens (15â35-years old) and old homegardens (more than 40-years old) and in adjacent savanna in Araçá Indigenous Land, Roraima, Brazil. For comparison, samples were also taken in forest islands located nearby, on a different soil type, under 10-year-old forest fallows and ...
|
| |
Abstract
Traditionally, most cocoa farms are established by removing the forest understorey and thinning the forest canopy so that cocoa seedlings can grow into productive trees by utilising the forest rent of the newly cleared area and the shade provided by the remaining trees. With the introduction of new hybrid cocoa varieties, there is a gradual shift towards the elimination of shade trees in the cocoa landscape. Farmers have found it necessary to eliminate forest tree species to effect high performance of ...
|
| |
Abstract
The sustainability of cocoa growing systems in the humid tropics is debatable. Socio-economic and technical data were obtained from 1,171 cocoa farmers and 1,638 cocoa plantations to assess the long-term dynamics of cocoa agroforests in central Cameroon since the beginning of the twentieth century. On-site, we estimated the age of the cocoa trees and measured their density in a sub-sample of 402 cocoa plantations. We inventoried associated woody species in 45 cocoa plantations from this sub-sample. Our results revealed a high ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Financial analyses are needed for the wide array of plantation designs commonly used in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forestry and agroforestry practices. Our objective was to develop an economic model to estimate financial outputs at mid-rotation (14 years old) for 13 loblolly pine stands (plantations) with 546 to 3067 trees ha−1 (TPH). The Excel model allowed costs, returns, growth, and production scenarios to be varied to calculate net present value (NPV) and years to “break even” with and without pine straw. ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Further study is needed on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growth in a systematic array of plantation designs or stocking rates commonly used in temperate forestry and agroforestry practices. Our objective was to determine loblolly pine growth responses and agroforestry implications of 13 plantation designs (i.e., stocking rates in trees ha−1 [TPH]) at mid-rotation (14 years old). Survival, diameter at 1.3 m above soil surface (dbh), height, basal area (BA), and volume (V) were measured in unthinned plantations ranging from 490 to 2,300 ...
|
| |
posted by
3 people
TeresitaAmezcua
ELTI
cbonfil
Abstract
The role of agroforestry systems in biodiversity conservation was investigated in the semiarid Tehuacán Valley, Central México. Richness and diversity of native plant species were compared between agroforestry systems (6 sampling sites) and the following forests (6 sampling sites) dominated by columnar cacti: (i) chichipera dominated by Polaskia chichipe; (ii) jiotillal dominated by Escontria chiotilla; and (iii) garambullal dominated by Myrtillocactus schenckii. Our information on genetic variation of dominant arboreal species in the study sites ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Silicon (Si) is abundant in the soil, yet its role in plant biology has been poorly understood. The role of Si in soybean growth and its effectiveness in salt stress alleviation was investigated. Sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) was given as Si source to hydroponically grown soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). The plant growth attributes, i.e. plant height, plant fresh and dry biomass, chlorophyll contents and endogenous gibberellins (GAs) level improved with 2.5 mM Si, while endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and free proline contents ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Coffee is widely grown across Central America at altitudes between 600 and 2500 m, mostly in association with trees that provide shade and other services. Research on coffee agroforestry systems has identified many environmental factors, management strategies and plant characteristics that affect growth, yield and environmental impact of the system. Much of this literature only presents qualitative estimates of the importance of the different growth determining factors, or highly site-specific estimates. Quantitative information is required to allow statistical analysis or the construction ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Research on coffee agroforestry systems in Central America has identified various environmental factors, management strategies and plant characteristics that affect growth, yield and the impact of the systems on the environment. Much of this literature is not quantitative, and it remains difficult to optimise growing area selection, shade tree use and management. To assist in this optimisation we developed a simple dynamic model of coffee agroforestry systems. The model includes the physiology of vegetative and reproductive growth of coffee plants, and ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Using stockpiled forage can substantially reduce livestock feed costs over the winter. However, little is known about utilizing stockpiled forage in an early-stage silvopasture system. This study was conducted to determine if silvopasture production practices utilizing stockpiled forage influence stocker steer performance. The treatments were: (1) stockpiled forage in a non-forested pasture (OPEN) and (2) stockpiled forage in a silvopasture (TREE). Grazing began early December and ended in late February in each of 2 years. Each treatment was replicated three times in ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Information about forestry insularity of plants on soil nutrients will be critical for selecting plant species for agrosilvopastoral or fertility reclamation programs in dry ecosystems. We explored the effects of four Mimosa species (M. lacerata, M. luisana, M. polyantha and M. texana var. filipes) and of rainfall seasonal variation on soil nutrients in a semiarid ecosystem located at the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico. Soil samples were taken from outside and under the canopy at three positions (trunk, middle, edge) in all four ...
|
| |
posted by
2 people
TeresitaAmezcua
ELTI
Abstract
Abstract This study assessed the use of agroforestry to improve soil nutrient properties in plantations containing Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire (yerba mate). Intercropping within tree plantation systems is widely practiced by farmers around the World, but the influence of different species combinations on system performance still requires further investigation. I. paraguariensis is a major South American crop commonly cultivated in intensive monocultures on low activity clay soils, which are highly prone to nutrient deficiencies. Study plots were established in 20 plantations in ...
|
| |
Abstract
A sample of 1,500 farmers and 2,000 non-farmers were surveyed during 2005â2006 to examine the impact of field windbreaks on visual appearance of agricultural lands in Iowa, USA. About 73% of respondents indicated that field windbreaks diversified visual appearance of agricultural landscapes, whereas 67% of these respondents thought that windbreaks made agricultural lands visually more appealing. An improved aesthetics of the area was fourth most frequently mentioned reason for planting field windbreaks reported by 21% of respondents. When compared to other ...
|
| |
Abstract
Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) and Caragana intermedia (Intermediate peashrub), which are nitrogen-fixing and perennial temperate shrubs, are extensively used in the agroforestry systems in the loess areas of China. In this study, artificially controlled water gradient experiments were carried out with both shrubs, based on four levels of water supply (normal precipitation, slight drought, drought, and extreme drought). The results showed significant impacts of drought on net photosynthesis rate, biomass accumulation, and biomass allocation in both species. Water use efficiency (WUE) ...
|
| |
Abstract
Land use influences physico-chemical and water transmission properties of soil, which ultimately determine the suitability of land for different purposes. In present study, impact of different land use (forest and agriculture) on selected physicochemical and hydrological properties of soil was evaluated and compared with a reference site (uncultivated ravinous wasteland). Land use influenced infiltration rate, bulk density, mean weight diameter of aggregates and plant available water of soils. After 25Â years of plantation of forest species, soil organic carbon content increased by ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract 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 ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Fertilizer tree technologies such as intercropping, relay cropping, improved fallows and biomass transfer have been promoted as sustainable, low-input alternative or complimentary inputs to inorganic fertilizers in Malawi. However, research into the long term effects of their adoption on household food security and poverty reduction is limited. This study examined whether these technologies contribute to rural household of subsistence farmers in terms of food security and livelihoods improvement in two districts of Malawi. The study shows that fertilizer tree technologies increase ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Agroecosystems can serve as multifunctional landscapes when treed habitats such as woodlots, hedgerows, riparian buffers, windbreaks, and orchards, are conserved on farms. We investigated the extent, pattern, and multifunctionality of on-farm treed habitats for 16 Vermont farms in the Lamoille watershed of the Lake Champlain Basin. The site was selected because the land use pattern is representative of the region, containing a mixture of agriculture and forest in different habitat types. We used a GIS-based approach to delineate treed habitats on ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract The study was conducted in Abergelle district of Tigray, northern Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating the chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in sacco degradability characteristics of foliages of major browse species. Samples of foliages from 12 and 10 browse species were collected during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The samples of the browse species were collected based on their abundance in the district, preference by livestock to browse them, accessibility to browsing and their additional uses ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this methodological study was to quantify differences between water potential measured with a pressure chamber (PC) and with a hydraulic press (HP) in six north Sahelian dominant species of the woody strata across the range of their local environmental conditions in the Malian Gourma. Mean annual rainfall is 372 mm, falling from June to September, followed by 8–10 months of dry season. The daily course of Leaf Water Potential (LWP) was monitored in 2–6 m tall healthy individuals. Water potential measured ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract The benefits provided by underutilised fruit tree species such as baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in combating increasing malnutrition and poverty become more apparent as awareness grows regarding concerns of climate change and food security. Due to its multiple uses, its high nutritional and medicinal value, drought tolerance and relatively easy cultivation, baobab has been identified as one of the most important edible forest trees to be conserved, domesticated and valued in Africa. In order to contribute towards the cultivation of the ...
|
| |
posted by
1 person
oilpalm
Abstract
Despite the increasing claims that structural complexity in agroforestry plantations is a key variable for enhancing bird biodiversity, few studies have experimentally manipulated the understory component of structural complexity. Here, we examined the impact of removing understory vegetation from oil palm plantations on the richness and abundance of birds in eastern Guatemala, testing if bird richness and abundance are positively affected by the presence of understory vegetation. Oil palm plantations with understory hold more bird richness and abundance than those lacking ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Green manure of multipurpose trees is known to be a good source of nutrients to crop. However, most agroforestry species do not have adequate phosphorus (P) in their leaves. Supplementing green manure with moderate dose of P is a beneficial strategy to improve food security in Rwanda. This study examines the effects of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner, Tithonia diversifolia Hensley A.Gray and Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f. green manure applied independently or in combination with triple super phosphate (TSP) and lime on maize yield ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Theobroma cacao seedlings were grown alone (TCA) or associated with saplings of N2-fixing shade trees Gliricidia sepium and Inga edulis in 200 l of 15N labelled soil within a physical root barrier for studying direct nitrogen transfer between the trees and cacao. Root:shoot partitioning ratio for sapling total N was lower than biomass root:shoot ratio in all species. Sapling total 15N was partitioned between root and shoot in about the same ratio as total N in cacao and inga but ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Traditional systems of medicine have become a topic of global importance recently. Increased commercialization of economically important medicinal plants has resulted in overharvesting, threatening their survival. The present study was carried out to document the indigenous uses of medicinal plants by the local communities in and around Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Bangladesh. Data collection was predominantly qualitative recording the species use, identifying their relative importance (RI) and assessing the informants’ consensus factor (Fic) on associated knowledge. We interviewed 140 households of the ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract A study was conducted in an agricultural field to examine the biomass production of three fast-growing short rotation woody crop (SRWC) species, Populus deltoides, Quercus pagoda, and Platanus occidentalis using fertilization and irrigation (fertigation). The study included a randomized complete block (RCB) with five treatments; control, irrigated, and irrigated with 56, 112, and 224 kg nitrogen (N) ha−1 year−1. We quantified survival, basal area, standing biomass, aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), leaf area index (LAI), and growth efficiency (GE) for each species along the soil nitrogen ...
|
| |
posted by
1 person
IAI
Abstract
Abstract Forage production in silvopastoral systems of the Flooding Pampa is based on cool season grasses with a relatively asynchronous phenology regarding their accompanying deciduous trees. However, the productivity of cool season grasses in these systems is usually low. The hypothesis of this work is that the low productivity of cool season grasses is caused by tree litter constraining plant recruitment. Emergence and establishment (reproductive propagation), and tillering (vegetative propagation) patterns of tall fescue, a cool season grass in the region, were ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Variations in biomass productivity, plant water-use efficiency (WUEp), and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) were investigated among 10 Malus rootstocks. In the semi-controlled environmental of a greenhouse, plants were watered to either 75% or 50% of field capacity. For each treatment, significant differences were found in dry matter accumulation and allocation, δ13C, and WUEp. Relative growth rate (RGR) was correlated with WUEp but not with allocation pattern. Variations in whole-plant transpiration were a result of fluctuations in the rate of transpiration per ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Feed intake and digestibility were evaluated in sheep fed low quality Taiwan grass supplemented with Tithonia diversifolia. Four wether hair sheep were housed in metabolic cages and fed with either Control concentrate 20%, Tithonia 20, 35 or 50% in a Latin Square design. Adaptation and, feces and urine collection periods were 14 and 7 days, respectively. Feed intake was increased (P < 0.01) from 58.5 in control to 86.1 g/kg0.75 in sheep fed Tithonia. NDF intake and digestibility were affected by Tithonia level. Nitrogen intake ...
|
| |
posted by
1 person
ELTI
Abstract
The palm Euterpe edulis has high ecological and economic importance in Brazil. Currently, this species is being cultivated and managed for spontaneous regeneration in banana plantations. However, there are no data comparing its plantation growth performance to its native forest growth. We evaluated growth and mortality (M) of individuals of E. edulis planted in secondary dense ombrophilous forest and in banana plantations, as well as their relationships with site variables (canopy opening, soil nutrient availability, density of existing E. edulis, and ...
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Abstract
This article is currently available as a free download on IngentaConnect ...
|
| |
Abstract
This article is currently available as a free download on IngentaConnect ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Enhancement of root development helps to improve soil physical properties, carbon sequestration, and water quality of streams. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in root length density (RLD) and root and soil carbon content within grass buffer (GB), agroforestry buffer (AgB), rotationally grazed pasture (RG) and continuously grazed pasture (CG) treatments. Pasture and GB areas included red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) while AgB included Eastern cottonwood trees ...
|
| |
Abstract
Abstract Across the U.S., multiple species of riparian vegetation have proven to be effective filters of sediment and nutrients in agricultural watersheds. Research at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has focused on giant cane [Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl.] as a potential candidate to incorporate into riparian buffer designs. In 2001, an exploratory study (i.e., Phase I) monitored nutrient and sediment concentrations from surface runoff and groundwater in the Cypress Creek watershed, while two subsequent studies (i.e., Phase II) focused on groundwater quality and ...
|
Search
