Biomass decomposition dynamic in agroforestry systems with Theobroma cacao L. in Rionegro, Santander (Colombia)

Abstract

RESUMENThe study was carried out in an agroforestry system (AFS) with cacao trees already established in

Agroforestry systems of <i>Theobroma cacao</i> L. affects soil and leaf litter quality

“…In this sense, AFS contributes greatly to SOM formation and thus return significant amounts soilplant nutrients cycling (Rojas et al, 2017), directly affecting soil micronutrients, our result implies that CAF and CYF showed high soil fertility, less Cu and S in CYF under DS, probably AFS are an important strategies for to mantein SOM and high soil fertility in DS. CAF also can be a very good alternative for tropical zones under DS, allowing a better interaction of Acacia tree rhizosphere with soil microorganisms such as N-fixing bacteria's (Nair et al, 2010;Silva-Parra et al, 2018).…”

“…This would indicate the importance that T. cacao in tropical zones has in the contribution of SOM, alone and/or as agroforestry system (Andrade et al, 2013). The highest rates of leaf litter production of T. cacao alone and/ or as agroforestry system could be an indicator of higher soil fertility, due to higher increase of SOM, by photosynthetic carbon fixation from the atmosphere, and by transfering this carbon to the soil, via litter and root decay (Nair et al, 2010), which N release from the leaf litter (Rojas et al, 2017), is required for the growth and development of CC (Leiva, 2012). However, the low SOM and available soil P levels found in non-AFS and AFS, indicates the importance of AFS of T. cacao for higher SOM values, as was reported by Silva (2018) at tropical zone of Villavicencio Piedemont, or the need to add these elements (N, P) as a supplement to meet the demands of the cocoa plants (Leiva, 2012).…”

“…Organic matter added through leaf litter in AFS, usually improves soil quality as it enhances its soil microorganism activity and nutrients concentration (Hossain et al, 2011). According to Rojas et al (2017), the contribution of the leaf litter produced by the species assessed that constitute the AFS, the fertilization costs can be reduced 10 %. Contrary, the lowest concentration of SOM was added to the soil from AF and CYF during RS, the litter produced by each species has very particular characteristics influencing the quantity and the time in which the [ 84 ] Agroforestry systems of Theobroma cacao L. affects soil and leaf litter quality Rangel-Mendoza, J. a. y Silva-PaRRa, a.…”

“…According to Ngoran et al (2006), leaf litter of A. mangium under coconut trees has high contents of cellulose and lignin, which make leaf litter descomposition difficult, reducing the rate of decomposition at the beginning and end of the process (Fioretto et al, 2005), which also translates into a lower mineralization of nutrients. For this reason, it is important to know and compare the litter`s nutrient and biomass input from each species that compose the AFS of T. cacao (Rojas et al, 2017). This result may indicate that future studies in AFS that combine microbial action, and decomposition rates methods are critically needed.…”

“…The reduction of nutrient and organic matter content in non-AFS of T. cacao crop is a serious problem in many tropical zone (Rojas et al, 2017). In this sense, AFS of T. cacao provides a sustainable opportunity to restablish infertile soils at tropical zones, improve the recycling of nutrients and decrease the dependence on chemical fertilizers, depending of shade trees (Blaser et al, 2017).…”