Silvopastoral Systems Enhance Soil Quality in Grasslands of Colombia

Judith Martínez,Juan D León,Nelson W Osorio,Yasmín S Cajas

doi:10.1155/2014/359736

Abstract

In the tropical drylands of Colombia, the soils subjected to traditional systems of livestock production are severely degraded and depleted of plant nutrients. Multistrata silvopastoral systems are viable alternatives to improve livestock production; however, it is unknown whether these systems can reduce the negative environmental impacts of traditional systems on soil quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 13-year-old multistrata silvopastoral systems on soil quality parameters in degraded soils of the Sinu River Valley, Colombia. The results show that the trees in the silvopastoral systems increased or maintained soil pH values and nutrient availability (phosphorus, potassium, and calcium) with respect to the pastures with only grasses. The effects were significantly controlled by the types of plant species, particularlyGuazuma ulmifoliaandCassia grandis.

Highlights

Soil degradation is one of the major constraints in the tropics affecting 500 million ha [1], threatening ecosystem services and food security for people in developing countries [2]
The results show that the trees in the silvopastoral systems increased or maintained soil pH values and nutrient availability with respect to the pastures with only grasses
The soil pH values associated with D. aristatum and P. maximum were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the soil pH found associated with

Summary

Introduction

Soil degradation is one of the major constraints in the tropics affecting 500 million ha [1], threatening ecosystem services and food security for people in developing countries [2]. The major cause is overgrazing and lack of proper management practices such as monoculture of Gramineae versus plant diversity, adequate fertilization, soil conservation practices, and reduced tillage [7,8,9,10]. Over time, these soils exhibit high level of compaction (2.2–4.2 MPa) and low levels of plant nutrients (e.g., phosphate:

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion