Abstract
This research evaluated soil properties in a silvopastoral system using double rows of tree legumes. Treatments were signalgrass ( Brachiaria decumbens ) in monoculture or in consortium with sabia ( Mimosa caesalpiniifolia ) or gliricidia ( Gliricidia sepium ). Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design, with 4 replications. Response variables included chemical characteristics and physical attributes of the soil. Silvopastoral systems had greater (P<0.001) soil exchangeable Ca (gliricidia = 3.2 and sabia = 3.0 mmolc/dm 3 ) than signalgrass monoculture (2.0 mmolc/dm 3 ). Water infiltration rate was greater within the tree legume double rows (366 mm/h) than in signalgrass (162 mm/h) (P = 0.02). However, soil moisture was greater in signalgrass pastures (15.9%) (P = 0.0020) than in silvopastures (14.9 and 14.8%), where soil moisture levels increased as distance from the tree rows increased. Conversely, the light fraction of soil organic matter was greater within the tree legume double rows than in the grassed area (P = 0.0019). Long-term studies are needed to determine if these benefits accumulate further and the productivity benefits which result. Keywords : Fertility, legumes, soil physics, trees. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(6)15-25
Highlights
Good soil physical characteristics are essential to ensure satisfactory crop and pasture productivity
While soil chemical composition was affected by vegetation cover (Table 1), levels of most nutrients were similar in all treatments (P>0.05)
Soil exchangeable Ca was greater in the grass-legume tree pastures than in the grass-only pasture, and soil exchangeable Na was greater in the signalgrasssabiá pasture than in the other pastures (Table 1)
Summary
Good soil physical characteristics are essential to ensure satisfactory crop and pasture productivity. The amount of water that infiltrates and flows over the ground is directly related to soil physical properties such as density, and the existing vegetative cover (Lanzanova et al 2007). Soil organic matter (SOM) has a major influence on ecosystem productivity because it affects chemical and physical characteristics of soils. The light fraction of the SOM is formed by plant and animal residues in the early stages of decomposition. It represents recent changes in land management and can detect early changes in SOM dynamics (Jinbo et al 2007; Rangel and Silva 2007). Increases in ecosystem primary productivity lead to increasing residue deposition, both above- and belowground
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