Can the shrub Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) be considered as improving soil biology and plant nutrient availability?

Koné, Armand W.; Edoukou, Ettien F.; Gonnety, Jean Tia; N’dri, A. N. A.; Assémien, Laurenza F. E.; Angui, Pascal K. T.; Tondoh, Jérôme E.

doi:10.1007/s10457-012-9497-5

Cited by 27 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…, Kone et al. ). This result is potentially attributable to the higher biomass and, consequently, litter input of C. odorata relative to the native species in the invaded habitats (te Beest et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Kone et al. ), but have rarely been reported in studies of tropical southern China, which also has a high invasion risk and contains diverse ecosystems that have been invaded.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Kone et al. ), few studies have been conducted in other regions, including the tropical regions of southern China, and little attention has been given to soil C and N fractions. Furthermore, previous studies have suggested that the invasion effects are frequently site‐, species‐, or comparison‐specific (Ehrenfeld , Hulme et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Invasion effects of Chromolaena odorata on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in a tropical savanna

Wei

Quan

et al. 2017

Ecosphere

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Abstract. The ecological impacts of biological invasion are generalized with difficulty since these impacts are commonly species-or ecosystem-specific. A noxious invasive plant, Chromolaena odorata, has invaded broad regions, but limited attention has been paid to clarify the ecological impacts of this invasive plant on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage in invaded ecosystems. This study was conducted to investigate changes in the labile and total soil C and N fractions in the surface and subsurface soil layers in non-invaded plots, plots with slight (30%) or severe (100%) invasion, and a restored forest plot with native tree and shrub species within a tropical savanna. Our results showed that different severities of C. odorata invasion induced inconsistent responses of the soil C and N fractions in the investigated tropical savanna. In particular, slight invasion did not alter or decreased the total and labile soil C and N fractions, and severe invasion significantly increased most of the total and labile soil C and N fractions. The encroachment of woody species significantly increased the soil C and N contents, with significantly higher increases than in the invaded plots. Our results suggest that the impacts of invasion on soil C and N fractions could vary depending on invasion severity. Therefore, comparisons of the invaded and non-invaded plots with invasion duration or severity overlooked are likely to result in biased conclusions regarding the invasioninduced ecological consequences in terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, C. odorata invasion can alter soil nutrient conditions according to the needs of C. odorata establishment at different stages and consequently affect the soil C and N contents in this tropical ecosystem.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Kone et al. ), but have rarely been reported in studies of tropical southern China, which also has a high invasion risk and contains diverse ecosystems that have been invaded.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Invasion effects of Chromolaena odorata on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in a tropical savanna

Wei

Quan

et al. 2017

Ecosphere

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“…At savannah-forest boundaries, it can invade savannah (Guillet et al, 2001) and create shaded conditions under which tree saplings could potentially establish. Thus while being a major weed, it has been cited as a fallow species (Koné et al, 2012;Koutika and Rainey, 2010).…”

Section: Chromolaena Odoratamentioning

confidence: 99%

Biophysical criteria used by farmers for fallow selection in West and Central Africa

Norgrove

Häuser

2016

Ecological Indicators

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a b s t r a c tIn many parts of the humid Tropics, slash and burn shifting cultivation, incorporating a fallow phase, is the most common farming method, encompassing a broad diversity of techniques. The ecological productivity and sustainability of such systems depend upon the crop:fallow time ratio. Farmers often have biophysical criteria by which to match parcels to cropping systems and decide, for example, when to recultivate a fallow. In this paper, we collate reports of indicators used by farmers to aid in fallow choice from across the agronomic, forestry, ecological, and anthropological literature.We found 27 examples of farmers using such biophysical indicators. Examples found were from eight countries across West and Central Africa. The literature review showed that farmers rank fallow age usually first, followed by vegetation composition, the presence of indicator plants, and earthworm casts. 53 indicator plant species were identified across the region of which 37 were said to indicate soil fertility, 13 soil infertility and 3 either fertility or infertility, depending on their growth characteristics. The most exhaustive lists of indicator plants were reported from southern Cameroon, the Ashante region of Ghana and south west Nigeria. Chromolaena odorata was the most frequently mentioned plant indicator species. The trees Triplochiton scleroxylon and Terminalia superba and the grass were each mentioned, generally as soil fertility indicators, in three areas. Other species mentioned multiple times were Aframomum sp., Andropogon gayanus, Ceiba pentandra, Milicia excelsa, Triumfetta cordifolia and Trema guineensis.Farmers in West and Central Africa have identified indicators for selecting which fallow plots to recultivate. Fallow age, vegetation composition, the presence of indicator plants, particularly C. odorata, and earthworm casts all have some logical scientific basis and farmers observations are supported by the results of scientific studies. There is a lack of documentation of farmers' knowledge and more studies should be conducted. Such knowledge should form the foundation of any suggested interventions in farming systems in the region and provide information to farmers in communities where such knowledge is not currently applied.

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“…Legumes are known as improving soil N while C. odorata is efficient in P cycling (Koné et al, 2012). Both the two types of plants are conducive to soil biology (Tian, Brussaard, & Kang, 1993); C. cajan also proved resistant to C. odorata.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry Technique for Minimal Extra-Labour: Influence of Chromolaena-Cajanus Combination on Soil Chemistry and Biology, and Yam Yields

Koné¹,

Kablan²,

Gauze-Touao³

et al. 2017

ENRR

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Despite the beneficial effects of legumes on soil fertility, their adoption by farmers remains low due to the extra labour entailed. Lifting this constraint is of paramount importance for sustainable agriculture. This issue was dealt with in the present study which was carried out in central Côte d'Ivoire through assessing the response of soil (chemical and biological parameters) and subsequent yam yield to two fallow systems: natural C. odorata fallow (control) vs. Combination of C. odorata and Cajanus cajan. The mixed plot was obtained by loosely introducing at the onset of fallow C. cajan which withstands competition by C. odorata. Soil chemical parameters, abundance and diversity of decomposer macrofauna, microbial parameters and subsequent yam tuber yield were measured. After a 27-month period of time, the P content in C. cajan leaf litter increased in the mixed plot. The density of diplopods in leaf litter was lower in the mixed fallow while the average order number in soil was higher. No significant change occurred in earthworm abundance and diversity, nor in microbial activities. SOM and available P increased in the mixed fallow, as well as nitrates. Yam yield increased by 35 % in mixed plots, the controlling factors being soil C and nitrates contents, and leaf litter P, K and Ca stocks (GLM). Although the tested fallow appeared promising, the study should be repeated over a longer period taking into account other macrofauna decomposers for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the observed changes.

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Can the shrub Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) be considered as improving soil biology and plant nutrient availability?

Cited by 27 publications

References 39 publications

Invasion effects of Chromolaena odorata on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in a tropical savanna

Invasion effects of Chromolaena odorata on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in a tropical savanna

Biophysical criteria used by farmers for fallow selection in West and Central Africa

Agroforestry Technique for Minimal Extra-Labour: Influence of Chromolaena-Cajanus Combination on Soil Chemistry and Biology, and Yam Yields

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