Agrosilvopastoral Systems Research Articles

Changes in Soil Chemical Attributes in an Agrosilvopastoral System Six Years After Thinning of Eucalyptus

The changes in soil chemical attributes in agrosilvopastoral systems after the thinning of trees are unclear. To address this gap, this study evaluated the effects of the thinning of eucalyptus hybrid Urograndis H-13 (Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake × E. grandis W. Hill ex Maiden) on soil chemical fertility in an agrosilvopastoral system in an Arenic Hapludalf in Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with a 3 × 4 factorial design comprising three treatments (thinning of 0%, 50%, or 100% of the eucalyptus trees) and four sampling positions relative to the eucalyptus line (0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 m). Six years after eucalyptus thinning, soil acidification was observed in the 0% and 50% eucalyptus thinning treatments, especially at 0 and 2 m from the eucalyptus line. Decreases in soil pH were associated with increases in the total acidity pH 7.0 (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ content and decreases in the K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents and base saturation over the soil profile (0–1.0 m).

The Germination Performance After Dormancy Breaking of Leucaena diversifolia (Schltdl.) Benth. Seeds in a Thermal Gradient and Its Distribution Under Climate Change Scenarios.

Climate change models predict temperature increases, which may affect germination, an important stage in the recruitment of individuals in agroecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research on how temperature will impact the germination of multipurpose native species. Leucaena diversifolia (Schltdl.) Benth. is native to America and is commonly cultivated around the world due to having a high protein content in seeds, and their trees are used in agrosilvopastoral systems because they fix nitrogen and provide shade and cattle feed. However, climate change affects the critical phases of its life cycle and influences its growth, reproduction, phenology, and distribution. To assess the germination performance of Leucaena diversifolia under different temperatures throughout thermal times, we estimated germination variables and determined cardinal temperatures and thermal time; we also analysed germination and potential distribution under two climate change scenarios. We found significant variations in seed germination (78-98%) and differences in cardinal temperatures (Tb = 5.17 and 7.6 °C, To = 29.42 and 29.54 °C, and Tc = 39.45 and 39.76 °C). On the other hand, the sub-optimal and supra-optimal temperature values showed little differences: 51.34 and 55.57 °Cd. The models used showed variations in germination time for the analysed scenarios and the potential distribution. We confirm that the populations and distribution of L. diversifolia will be altered due to climate changes, but the species retains the ability to germinate under warmer conditions.

Organic Carbon Storage in Waterlogging Soils in Ávila, Spain: A Traditional Agrosilvopastoral Region

Soils play a crucial role in the protection, management, and ecological understanding of the La Moraña region, located in Ávila province, Central Spain, which has a moderate population, traditional agriculture, livestock farming, and low industrial activity, resulting in relatively low environmental degradation. The region’s soils often experience prolonged water stagnation, influencing its agronomy, ecology, and economy. This study aimed to estimate and understand the soil’s role in the C sequestration of an agrosilvopastoral system under conditions of temporary water stagnation and different land uses. The results showed that ryegrass-magaza and Pinus pinaster show more content in soil carbon sequestration storage (98.7 and 92.4 Mg per hectare) compared to the adjacent degraded rangeland (75.8 and 63.9 Mg ha−1). Arenosols exhibited a higher total amount of SOC stocks. The soil profile with ryegrass sequestered more nitrogen (9.7 Mg ha−1) than other land uses; moreover, Arenosols have a lower nitrogen sequestration capacity even in low-forest conditions. The study highlights significant differences in carbon accumulation due to the management practices, temporary water layers, and parent material.

Modelling Water Availability in Livestock Ponds by Remote Sensing: Enhancing Management in Iberian Agrosilvopastoral Systems

Extensive livestock farming plays a crucial role in the economy of agrosilvopastoral systems of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula (known as dehesas and montados in Spanish and Portuguese, respectively) as well as providing essential ecosystem services. The existence of livestock in these areas heavily relies on the effective management of natural resources (annual pastures and water stored in ponds built ad hoc). The present work aims to assess the water availability in these ponds by developing equations to estimate the water volume based on the surface area, which can be quantified by means of remote sensing techniques. For this purpose, field surveys were carried out in September 2021, 2022 and 2023 at ponds located in representative farms, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with RGB sensors and survey-grade global navigation satellite systems and inertial measurement units (GNSS-IMU). These datasets were used to produce high-resolution 3D models by means of Structure-from-Motion and Multi-View Stereo photogrammetry, facilitating the estimation of the stored water volume within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The Volume–Area–Height relationships were calibrated to allow conversions between these parameters. Regression analyses were performed using the maximum volume and area data to derive mathematical models (power and quadratic functions) that resulted in significant statistical relationships (r2 > 0.90, p < 0.0001). The root mean square error (RMSE) varied from 1.59 to 17.06 m3 and 0.16 to 3.93 m3 for the power and quadratic function, respectively. Both obtained equations (i.e., power and quadratic general functions) were applied to the estimated water storage in similar water bodies using available aerial or satellite imagery for the period from 1984 to 2021.

Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources for Vegetation Covers in Extremadura (Spain)

Mediterranean areas will likely undergo climate shifts in the near future that modify the water resources for vegetation. However, in some regions of southwestern Spain, such as Extremadura, the impact of different future scenarios on the water resources for vegetation has not been studied extensively. This study focused on the quantification and spatial distribution of water resources for vegetation covers in Extremadura and analyzed the impact of future climate change scenarios on those water resources. For this, five downscaled global climate models from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) were used in four future periods (from 2021 to 2100) following two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP-2.45 and SSP-5.85). These projections were compared with a historical baseline period (1970–2000) to obtain the variation of water resources. The results showed decreases in the water resources for all the scenarios and periods analyzed compared to those observed in the historical baseline period. The smallest decreases were noted over 2041–2060 for SSP2-4.5, with almost 74% of the region decreasing between 15 and 18% (with an average of 16.4%). The greatest decreases were over 2081–2100 for SSP5-8.5, in which 90% of the region displayed water resource declines of greater than 50%. In this last situation, the three more widespread vegetation covers (agrosilvopastoral systems of dehesas, grasslands, and crops) underwent similar declines of around 55% of their water resources (from ≈203 to ≈93 mm), while the fourth widely spread vegetation cover, forests, declined by 49% (from ≈261 to ≈133 mm). If any of these future projections occur, the decline in water resources could modify the forest composition and structure of these water-dependent ecosystems, compromising their maintenance and ecological, cultural, and economic functions.

Variation of biomass carbon stock within agroforestry systems in the Senegalese groundnut basin

Agroforestry plays a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. While carbon sequestration efforts have primarily centred on forests, it is imperative to acknowledge the contribution that non-forest ecosystems, such as agroforestry, can offer. This study investigated the influence of agroforestry systems on the variation of biomass carbon stocks in the Sahelo-Sudanian and Sudanian regions of the Senegalese Groundnut basin. Three primary agroforestry systems were studied: silvopastoral, agrisilvicultural, and agrosilvopastoral. Forty-six (46) 100 m × 100 m plots were sampled, within which 1 × 1 m2 subplots were used to sample understory biomass across three agroforestry systems in the two climatic zones. Analysis of variance was performed to assess the influence of agroforestry systems and climatic zones on biomass carbon stocks. The findings showed that in the Sahelo-Sudanian region, the agrisilvicultural system exhibited the highest AGC + BGC stocks, averaging 43.42 ± 21.61 tCha−1. In contrast, the silvopastoral system showed significantly higher AGC + BGC stocks, which amounted to 36.33 ± 12.27 tCha−1 in the Sudanian region. On the other hand, understory carbon stocks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the agrisilvicultural and agrosilvopastoral systems than in the silvopastoral system in both climatic zones. Agroforestry systems had a significant effect on AGC + BGC stocks within climatic zones. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced when comparing across climatic regions. These results underscore the importance of specific land management practices interacting with local climatic conditions to influence AGC + BGC stocks. Therefore, policy makers should carefully consider the interaction of these factors when implementing carbon management practices and planning mitigation strategies in West Africa.

Social strategies to access land influence crop diversity in northwestern Morocco

Abstract Much evidence supports the ecological and agronomic benefits of diversity, of both crops and environments, for building resilience and sustainability in agroecosystems. Farmers' knowledge about crop diversity is well‐documented, but aside from studies on how farmers exchange seeds and knowledge through networks, the interactions of social factors and the diversity of crops and cultivated environments have been mainly overlooked. One factor receiving attention is farmers' access to land, but in only one of its dimensions, the security of access. Here we address the different strategies by which farmers gain access to land. How does the plurality of modes of access to land influence crop choices, and thereby crop diversity? How does this plurality influence the range of environments available to individual farmers for cultivating crop diversity? Analysing data from 51 interviews with farmers and 312 plots in agrosilvopastoral systems in northwestern Morocco, we described eight different modes of access. Each mode offers different opportunities and constraints concerning the kind of crops that can be grown on the plot. We found that an increase in the number of modes of access to land increases the crop diversity of farmers' holdings, regardless of the total area each farmer cultivates. Accessing additional plots contributed to both environmental heterogeneity and to crop diversity of farms. In striving to gain access to land and to grow diverse crops, farmers are motivated by their notion of what it means to be a ‘real farmer’, that is, the relation to their identity. Farmers mobilize not only their economic power but also their social relationships to gain access to plots of land. Their choices are also based on their relationships to tree crops such as olive, which are economic and cultural keystone species, as well as markers of land ownership and control. Multiple modes of access to land characterize many smallholder farming systems, which support a large fraction of the world's population. Recognizing diverse social practices of access to land that allow farmers to continue to mobilize multiple modes of access can increase resilience against unpredictable events and help maintain sustainable agroecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli derived from an integrated agroforestry-livestock system in Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a significant global concern. Epidemiological data do not provide a robust description of the potential risks associated with AMR in the integrated agroforestry-livestock systems in Indonesia. Thus, the present study investigated the phenotypic and multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles of Escherichia coli strains isolated from the feces of livestock raised in the agro-silvopastoral system in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province. Materials and Methods: A standard microbiological culture procedure was followed to isolate the organism and test antibiotic susceptibility using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion protocol. Furthermore, the multiple antibiotic resistance index was determined. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors associated with AMR. Results: The vast majority (77.5%) of livestock farmers were aged &gt;30 years. All farmers were men and had no higher education (100% of them). The majority of the animal species managed were cattle and goats (37.5% each) and the livestock grazing pasture system (67.5%). In addition, the majority of farmers reported high antimicrobial use on their farms (87.5%). Of the samples (n = 142) analyzed, n = 70 were positive, with an overall prevalence of 44.4%. The species-specific prevalences of E. coli were 32.5%, 47.8%, and 50% in buffalo, goat, and cattle, respectively. Ampicillin and tetracyclines exhibited high resistance levels among the studied animal species. A relatively lower MDR for E. coli was associated with grazing on the pasture. Conclusion: The findings from the current study provide baseline epidemiological information for future robust studies aimed at elucidating the drivers and patterns of AMR in agro-silvopastoral systems in the study area or elsewhere. Keywords: agro-silvopastoral, antimicrobial Resistance, Escherichia coli,Indonesia, livestock, multidrug resistance.

Presence of Quercus Suber Soft-Leaf Defoliators on Trees with Distinct Foliar Monoterpene Emission Profiles

The cork tree, Quercus suber L., is a characteristic species of the Dehesa agrosilvopastoral system, typical of western Spain. Defoliating insects are an important component of these ecosystems. This study assessed the presence and impact of defoliators feeding on Q. suber soft leaf tissue and their relationship with foliar monoterpene emission profiles. Samplings consisted of weekly tree beating (15 times per tree per sample) during the flight period of key species. We studied 26 cork trees with known profiles of foliar monoterpene emission (13 pinene and 13 limonene chemotypes). We identified a total of 272 larvae from 9 species. The main species were Catocala nymphagoga Esper (40.8%) and Periclista andrei Know (27.6%). Notably, 70.6% of larvae were found on trees with a pinene chemotype. The combined abundance of the four key defoliator species (C. nymphagoga L., P. andrei, Bena bicolorana L., and Cyclophora punctaria L.) was 62.7% lower on limonene-chemotype trees than pinene-chemotype trees. Significant differences were found in defoliation damage between leaves with distinct terpene emission profiles. These results suggest that both the abundance and damage caused by defoliators differ with trees’ emission profiles, and this may indicate differences in palatability and/or nutritional quality between Q. suber trees with distinct foliar monoterpene emission profiles.

Changing the land use from degraded pasture into integrated farming systems enhance soil carbon stocks in the Cerrado biome

Integrated agricultural production systems can increase soil organic carbon stocks over time and contribute to the mitigation of climate change. The present study aimed to evaluate soil carbon stocks, accumulation rates (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and the quality of soil organic matter (SOM) after the transition of a low-productivity pasture into agrosilvopastoral systems in the Cerrado biome. We evaluated an 11-year-old experiment, and the treatments studied were: Eucalyptus + buffel grass; Eucalyptus + cowpea; Eucalyptus + pigeon pea; eucalyptus + buffel grass + cowpea; Eucalyptus + buffel grass + pigeon pea; Eucalyptus in monoculture (with a 20 × 3 m tree arrangement and no cultivation between rows but with a history of forage and grain crop production); and a low-productivity pasture as additional treatment and reference to the soil condition previously the land-use change. In this study, TOC and TN stocks and accumulation, labile (LC) and non-labile carbon (NLC), and SOM humic fractions were evaluated at 0-10, 10-20, 20-40, and 0-40 cm depth layers. Integrated farming systems have increased TOC and TN, NLC, carbon contents and stocks in SOM chemical fractions in all depths and TOC and TN accumulation of 5.22 Mg ha-1 year-1 and 0.23 Mg ha-1 year-1, respectively, at the 0-40 cm depth layer. The integration of Eucalyptus with legumes or buffel grass increased the LC content in the surface layer of the soil. The transition from low-productivity pasture into integrated farming systems can promote the recovery of SOM and soil quality. Hence, our results suggest that agrosilvopastoral systems can be used as sustainable farming systems in the Cerrado biome.

Agrosilvopastoral systems for improved crop and fodder productivity and soil health in the rainfed environments of South India

CONTEXTLivestock and crop productions are always intrinsically linked in risk prone rainfed farming. Agrosilvopastoral systems ensures supplementarity of resources, feed availability for goat and sheep, and food grain for farmers. Agrosilvopastoral system approach is an attempt to tackle fodder shortages in winter (December–February) and summer (March–June), which can meet the small ruminants' requirements in addition to food grains for human consumption in rainfed areas. OBJECTIVESThe objective of the study was to evaluate and identify an agrosilvopastoral system suited to rainfed environments to ensure high crop and fodder productivity and improved soil health. METHODSA field experiment on agrosilvopastoral system was conducted during 2019–2022 at Hayathnagar research farm of ICAR-CRIDA (17°19′59.0“N Lat. and 78°35’25.3”E Long.) in different combinations of fodder trees with finger millet and legume fodder, and finger millet and legume fodder (stylos) each as check. The fodder trees were: Ailanthus excelsa, Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia latifolia, Madhuca longifolia, Hardiwickia binata, Butea monosperma, Syzygium cumini, Aegel marmelos and Bauhinia variegata. Finger millet and stylos were sown as inter-row and intra-row components of fodder trees. Impacts of these systems on crop, tree and livestock productivity from harvested fodders, and soil health were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos and Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos based agrosilvopastoral systems produced 1.32 and 1.28 t ha−1 of finger millet yield respectively, and 7.64 and 7.95 t ha−1 green fodder respectively, from fodder trees, finger millet straw and stylos together. There were increases in soil N (36 and 33%), P (65 and 63%), and organic carbon (36 and 35%), and decrease in bulk density (6%) respectively, over initial status under the Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos and Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos based systems. Hardiwickia binata based system accumulated highest above ground biomass of 17.5 t ha−1. These agrosilvopastoral systems ensured improved fodder availability from crop, legume and trees for small ruminants, improved soil health from fodder legume in wet season, grain availability for farmers from finger millet, and the fodder leaves from trees in the late dry season. SIGNIFICANCEOur study demonstrated that the Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos and Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos based agrosilvopastoral systems is a feasible option to meet the fodder requirement of small ruminants, improve soil health, lessen vulnerability to crop failure, and improve livelihood security of rainfed farmers in South India.

Changes in bacterial communities induced by integrated production systems and the phenological stages of soybean

Plant development and productivity depend on interactions with soil microorganisms for nutrient availability, promotion of growth and protection against phytopathogens. Although the influence of the phenological stages of soybean crops and their environmental conditions on the soil bacterial communities have already been reported, no studies have focused on the influence of integrated agrosilvopastoral systems on bacterial consortia. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the phenological stages of soybean cultivated under conventional full sunlight (CFS) and integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems on bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and in bulk soil using high-throughput sequencing techniques. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Acidobacteriota were the most abundant phyla in both the rhizosphere and the bulk soil at all growth stages. The results support our hypotheses that the richness and diversity of soil bacterial communities are influenced by different cultivation systems, and that the structure of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and the bulk soil are modulated by the phenological stages of the soybean crop.

“Listen to us”: small-scale farmers’ understandings of social-ecological changes and their drivers in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Current social-ecological changes affect territories and people’s livelihoods worldwide. Many of these changes have detrimental effects on small-scale agricultural systems, with concomitant negative consequences on global and local food security and sovereignty. The objectives of this study were to explore (i) local knowledge on social-ecological changes and (ii) the perceived drivers of those changes occurring in a mountainscape and an islandscape in two Important Agricultural Heritage Systems of southern South America, both located within a Global Biodiversity Hotspot. This was done by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with local campesinos, whose livelihoods are based on the use and management of agrosilvopastoral systems. We found that local communities experience a wide range of globally and locally induced social-ecological changes acting in their territories. Campesinos mentioned 79 different observations of social-ecological changes and identified drivers for 77% of them. Changes in the atmospheric system, specifically regarding changes in precipitation, drought, and temperatures, were commonly observed by campesinos in both sites. Participants also observed complex interrelations between these changes and the drivers influencing them, climatic drivers being the most important. Even though general changes in climatic patterns were identified as drivers of changes by campesinos, other situated changes derived from the site’s biophysical, social, and economic conditions were also important. Our results highlight the importance of considering local knowledge to understand social-ecological changes and to support the development and implementation of public policies that promote contextualized adaptation measures to global changes that affect local livelihoods.

Remains of traditional fire use in Portugal: A historical analysis

Traditional, rural, native, or indigenous fire has coexisted with lightning-caused fire since the origin of Humanity. In Portugal, several uses of fire played an essential role in supporting communities from the settlement of the Portuguese territory within complex agrosilvo-pastoral systems. Previous studies approached traditional fire knowledge from different perspectives, but none comprehensively described the concept. Resorting to historical documentary sources, this paper identifies and describes the traditional practices involving the different fire uses in Portuguese rural communities from the foundation of Portugal until the end of the 19th century. The approach showed a general abandonment and progressive loss of many of those traditional uses of fire at the end of the 19th century. It led to the breakdown of the conventional traditional agrosilvo-pastoral system and the disarticulation of the interdependence of Human and Nature processes. Due to legal conditionings and prohibitions, the current traditional uses of fire are only remains of the past. As a result, academia is essential to promote and revive traditional fire knowledge in the country.

PRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF LACTATING DUAL-PURPOSE COWS GRAZING IN AN AGROSILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM DURING THE DRY SEASON SUPPLEMENTED WITH LOW LEVELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Cattle production in tropical regions of Mexico is in dual-purpose farms (DP) on unintended agrosilvopastoral systems (ASPS) with pastures dominated by tropical grasses with scattered shrubs and trees. During the dry season due to the forage diminished nutritional value and availability most farmers supplement their cattle to sustain milk production and weight gains of calves, without taking into consideration the wide variety of forages available in grazing lands to decide the composition of supplements offered to their cattle. &lt;strong&gt;Objective/hypothesis. &lt;/strong&gt;The objective of the study was to determine the effect of low levels of crude protein (CP) content in supplements (S10 = 100, S11 = 110 and S12 = 120 g CP/kg of DM) on the performance of lactating Brown Swiss (BS) cows on an ASPS during the dry season. We hypothesize that low levels of CP in supplements of lactating grazing cows on an agrosilvopastoral system during the dry season would not affect animal performance. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology. &lt;/strong&gt;The study was carried out in the dry season (March to June of 2012), in a commercial DP in the State of Mexico. Eighteen multiparous BS cows and their calves were used in the study, randomly allocated to three groups (six cows/group), to receive one of three supplements (4.5 kg DM/cow/day), consisting of 100, 110 or 120 g/kg DM of crude protein (CP) S10, S11 and S12, respectively. Data were analysed as a complete random experimental design with a mixed model. &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;There were no significant differences in most of the animal performance variables (P &amp;gt; 0.05), except for fat protein corrected milk (FPCM) where S12 (6.4) was significantly higher than S10 and S11 (4.7 and 4.5 kg/day, respectively). Milk protein yields (kg/day) significantly increased as the CP level increased in supplements. High levels of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) were detected (mean 14.0 mg/dL). &lt;strong&gt;Implications. &lt;/strong&gt;In similar DP farms where cattle have access to other sources of forages like shrubs and trees, it is possible to reduce the CP content of supplements and to increase the efficiency of utilization of those alternative forages as well as a reduction in supplementation costs. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion. &lt;/strong&gt;There were no significant differences in the performance of BS cows grazing on an ASPS during the dry season receiving supplements with low crude protein levels. When correcting to fat-protein milk yields a significant difference was found in favour of supplement with 120 g CP/kg of DM.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Soil Chemical Attributes under Agrosilvopastoral Systems and Pasture

Agrosilvopastoral systems involve the consortium of trees, agricultural crops, and pasture, in the same area, concomitant or sequential, based on agroecological bases and on the cycling of organic matter and nutrients. This research compares soil fertility under pasture and agrosilvopastoral system. The area of 5 ha, is located on the Campus of the Federal University of Viçosa in Florestal city, central region of Minas Gerais state, formed by Urochloa decumbens for about 30 years, in an argisolic dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol. Two agrosilvopastoral systems - in single lines 2 x 10 m and double lines 2 x 2 + 10 m - were compared with pasture without trees. The soil preparation was conventional, with ploughing and leveling grids, in December 2009. Seedlings of the hybrid Eucalyptpus urophylla and E. grandis, clone GG100, were planted in level and subsoiler lines, which received 500 kg ha-1 of reactive phosphate at a depth of 0.5 m. At planting, each seedling received 120 g of N:P:K 10:28:06 + 0.3% B + 0.5% Zn; and 120 g of N:P:K 20:00:20, at 60 days. The corn was sown in the alleys, receiving 360 kg ha-1 of N:P:K 08:28:16 + 0.5% Zn, at planting, and 240 kg of urea ha-1, at 30 days. After the corn harvest, the pasture was formed naturally from the seed bank. At 135 months post-planting, five composite soil samples were collected in each studied area, obtained from ten simple samples of the 0-5 cm layer. The following attributes were analyzed: pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, H + Al, OM, and Prem. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and F test (p,0.05), and the means of the significant treatments were compared by the Scott Knott test (p&lt;0.05). Both APS provided an increase in the levels of OM, P, Ca, SB, t, and H + Al in the soil, keeping unchanged the other attributes analyzed in relation to conventional pasture. No significant differences in fertility were detected between the two agrosilvopastoral systems studied.

Toward smallholder bamboo-integrated agro-silvopastoral systems in sub-Saharan Africa: assessing the impact of bamboo leaves on consumption pattern, growth performance and manure characteristics of West African dwarf goats

IntroductionThe selection of appropriate plant species, particularly those tailored to supplement ruminants raised under agrosilvopastoral systems, remains a persistent challenge.ObjectiveIn a 30-day study, the feed intake, growth performance, and manure characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed bamboo leaf supplement were evaluated. Materials and methodsA total of 30 animals with an average weight of 9.9 ± 0.21 kg were divided into a control group, and four bamboo-supplemented groups, following a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design. Each group had six animal replicates and received the following dietary treatments: T1 (control) – 400g of basal diet composed of 60% Megathyrsus maximus and 40% Bridelia ferruginea leaves per day; T2—basal diet composed of the T1 diet supplemented with 400 g of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro leaves per day; T3—basal diet composed of the T1 diet supplemented with 400 g of Bambusa balcooa (Beema) leaves per day; T4—basal diet composed of the T1 diet supplemented with 600 g of O. abyssinica (A. Rich.) leaves per day; and T5—basal diet composed of the T1 diet supplemented with 600 g of B. balcooa leaves per day. The data were analyzed using generalized linear model procedures in Minitab Statistical Software at a 5% significance level. ResultsThe results showed varied (p &amp;lt; 0.05) dry matter compositions spanning from 894.3 to 910 g/kg with the highest contents of crude protein (194 g/kg), nitrogen (31 g/kg), crude fibre (302 g/kg), ash (156 g/kg), acid detergent fibre (429 g/kg), and acid detergent lignin (3.6 g/kg) recorded for B. ferruginea. The leaves of Bambusa balcooa contained the highest neutral detergent fibre (481 g/kg) while M. maximus had the highest organic matter content (911 g/kg). Significant interaction effect (p &amp;lt; 0.05) was observed between the supplement type and the supplementation level, impacting various parameters including feed intake ranging from 398 g (T1) to 469 g (T3) per day, weight gain from 27 g (T1) to 72 g (T2) per day, feed conversion efficiency from 6% (T1) to 15% (T2), manure output from 241 g (T2) to 260 g (T5) per day, carbon- nitrogen (C: N) ratio from 9 (T2) to 20 (T5), faecal acidity levels from 4 (T1) to 5 (T4). Comparatively, higher daily dry matter intake was recorded for the animal groups fed the B. balcooa supplement than their counterparts fed the O. abyssinica supplement. However, the O. abyssinica supplemented groups were more efficient in converting feed to body weight, with feed conversion efficiency approximately 9% higher than the B. balcooa-supplemented groups. Furthermore, in general, the animal groups that received a daily supplement of 400 g gave higher feed efficiency, with performance approximately 3.2% higher compared to the groups receiving 600 g. Likewise, these groups displayed higher faecal N output while concurrently achieving a reduced C: N ratio, indicative of enhanced nutrient utilization and potential environmental benefits. ConclusionTo conclude, integrating 400 grams of bamboo leaves into animal diet can enhance basal diet consumption, accelerate animal growth, and yield manure akin to chemical fertilizers, making it a valuable strategy for bamboo-integrated agro-silvopastoral systems practitioners.

Outcomes of a comparison between pastoral and silvopastoral management on beef cattle productivity, animal welfare and pasture depletion in a Mediterranean extensive farm

In spring 2021, 50 growing steers and heifers of the Maremmana breed (average age 321 d and weight 287 kg) were rotationally stocked under two different treatments (silvopastoral and pastoral). The aim was to evaluate the influence of grazing system on cattle growth and welfare, and pasture depletion. The experiment was carried out on a real Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral farm, located in central Italy. To implement rotational grazing, 3.69 ha of temporary grassland were split into six paddocks, three for each treatment. Cattle grazed for one week in one paddock and then were moved to the next one for a total of six weeks corresponding to six grazing periods. The group maintained on the silvopastoral system were allowed to access 3.31 ha of a Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) forest. Regarding the average daily gain, a significant interaction was found between the treatment and time. The average daily gain of the animals grazing in the open pasture was 1.20 kg d−1, while that of the cattle grazing in the silvopastoral system was 1.02 kg d−1. Despite the rate of growth being within the expected range for the Maremmana breed, the average daily gain of cattle in the silvopastoral system was significantly lower. One of the possible causes of this difference could be the higher energy requirements of the animals due to the different activity levels. The different management did not affect animal welfare indicators. Indeed, the serum cortisol concentration did not vary between treatments and among sampling times, while the hair cortisol concentration decreased significantly during the experiment for both groups. Regarding pasture health, allowing cattle to graze in the forest reduced pasture depletion because of the lower stocking rate and grazing pressure. Further studies are necessary to increase the knowledge of the role of forests and grazing management in other seasons than spring in extensive agrosilvopastoral systems.

Estrategias agroalimentarias sostenibles como respuesta al deterioro ambiental en el territorio de la Frailesca, Chiapas, México

Currently, ecosystems are very deteriorated and large amounts of agrochemicals are applied to food for human consumption, which causes environmental and health problems in the society that consumes a diet based on food with agrochemicals, so a process of reflection-action about the use of agroecosystem services and build sustainable agrifood strategies in agricultural production systems. Agroecosystems constitute domesticated production units and interaction of all its components to generate flows of matter and energy. The sustainable appropriation of agroecosystems generates a healthy production of food that will improve people's health and protect the environment. The objective of the study was to identify and analyze sustainable agri-food strategies in the Frailesca region, Chiapas in the face of environmental deterioration of biosphere ecosystems. Through tours with instruments of geographic information systems, surveys and semi-structured interviews, we worked with peasant families that develop agroecological practices. The information obtained was organized, systematized and analyzed in Microsoft Access and the SAS version 27 software. Four sustainable strategies developed by peasant families, who use various agroecological fertilizers for production in the four micro-regions of the municipality of Villaflores, were identified and analyzed. Of the strategies mostly practiced by peasant families, there is corn interspersed with fruit trees, family gardens and agrosilvopastoral systems.

Prioritising conservation actions towards the sustainability of the dehesa by integrating the demands of society

CONTEXTThe dehesa is an important agrosilvopastoral system in the Mediterranean, consisting of trees, livestock and pasture. It is a multifunctional system that offers a wide range of products and services, including food and forest products, as well as environmental and social services. However, this ecosystem is vulnerable in Andalusia, southern Spain, due to its low economic profitability and environmental and social challenges. OBJECTIVETo contribute to the design of public policies towards greater sustainability of the Andalusian dehesa. For this purpose, different conservation actions/sub-actions (CAs/CSs), i.e. agroforestry and pastoral practices, were evaluated and prioritised according to their expected contribution to sustainability. METHODSA multi-criteria model based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is developed to prioritise the environmental, economic and social demands of Andalusian society. It also allows estimating the contribution of CAs/CSs to the different functions of the dehesa and to the demands of society. The model is assessed on the basis of a survey of society in the dehesa areas of Andalusia and the knowledge of dehesa experts. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSSociety prioritises the environmental dimension of the dehesa. Thus, among society's demands, the highest priorities are the production of typical and quality landscapes and the conservation of biodiversity. In terms of the functions of the dehesa, the social ones stand out for their contribution to sustainability, especially the preservation of cultural heritage. After the social functions, forest production (economic function) and biodiversity (environmental function) are the highest priority functions. For the CAs, soil and water conservation and the renewal of trees are the highest priorities for improving the sustainability of the dehesa. Finally, the most critical CSs have also been identified as those with the greatest potential to improve sustainability based on current practices. SIGNIFICANCEThe methodology/model proposed for the design of policies to improve the sustainability of the Andalusian dehesa allowed the demands of society to be integrated into the process, understanding sustainability to be associated with the general well-being of society. The methodology can serve as a guide for assessing the sustainability associated with management actions in other agricultural systems and/or regions. Furthermore, the results obtained can contribute to the design of public policies towards greater sustainability of the dehesa not only in Andalusia, but also in other regions. The results highlight the importance of considering the productive and non-productive functions of the dehesa as a whole when designing public policies towards sustainability.