Impacts of 25-year rotation and tillage management on soil quality in a semi-arid tropical climate

Abstract

Soil deterioration, yield decline and soil microbial activity reduction caused by banana (Musa × paradisiaca L.) monoculture is threatening the sustainability of banana production in China. Therefore, it is necessary to study the benefits of rotation on soil quality. This study aimed to assess the effects of rotation and tillage on soil properties in a banana plantation for 25 yr. Treatments consisted of three rotation methods (banana-pineapple, BA; banana-cowpea, BP; banana-rice, BR) and banana monoculture (CK) combined with two tillage intensities (no-tillage, NT; conventional tillage, CT). Soil samples were taken at depth of 0-40 cm in 2019-2020. In comparison with CK, BA and BR increased soil moisture, pH, total organic C and available P, but decreased soil bulk density. Microbial biomass C and N at booting stage were 46.1% and 39.2% higher in BA and BR than those in CK. Urease, dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase obtained a mean of 34.1% increase in BP and 23.8% increase in BR compared with BA. Higher total N, NO3-N, available K and macroaggregate were showed in NT compared with CT, whereas porosity was 24.8% lower in NT than in CT. CO 2, N2O and CH4 emissions were in average around between one third and two fifth lower in no-tillage compared with conventional tillage. In general, rotations combined with no-tillage led to a positive effect on soil quality, as evidenced by increase of soil moisture, total N, microbial biomass C and urease and accompanying increase in banana yield. In order to sustain higher productivity, application of rotation and no-tillage is of considerable importance.

Comprehensive evaluation of throughfall erosion in the banana plantation

“…Sediment yield and runoff volume in the banana plantation mainly occur during the rainy season. A long rainy season and frequent rainstorm events aggravated soil erosion and would be accompanied by serious nutrient loss and land degradation (Zhong et al, 2021). This study suggests that hydraulic erosion is prominent in the banana plantation, influenced by the abundant rainfall input and the obvious canopy catchment effect.…”

CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions after fertilizer application in banana plantations located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…The use of inorganic nitrogen fertilization in banana plantations and other crops is rapidly increasing in tropical regions. The nitrogen application rates on fruit plantations are generally large and excessive, frequently exceeding 200 kg N ha −1 year −1 for banana plantations (Dalal et al, 2003; Zhong et al, 2021; Zhu et al, 2015). Organic sources, such as poultry manure, are also added, increasing the rates of nitrogen application as much as 500–1300 kg N ha −1 , which are more than the rates used in other important crops (Zhu et al, 2015).…”

“…Such practices, for example, inorganic fertilization, which can result in negative effects on soil quality and loss of environmental sustainability, are mostly related to conventional soil and crop management. There is concern about the potential of conventional nitrogen‐based fertilizer application to promote greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soil to the atmosphere (Dhadli et al, 2016; La Scala et al, 2005; Zanatta et al, 2010; Zhang & Han, 2008; Zhong et al, 2021).…”

“…The husbandry of mature banana trees includes the removal of leaves, tree tillers, and other vegetal materials that are left to decompose over the ground (litter) and tend to accumulate on the ground over time (Chauvin et al, 2015). Despite being semi perennial, banana plantations are fertilized annually using excessive inorganic fertilizer rates, which can be carried out until 13‐fold year (Granli & Bøckman, 1995; Mosier et al, 2004; Veldkamp & Keller, 1997; Zhang et al, 2019; Zhong et al, 2021; Zhu et al, 2015).…”

“…conventional nitrogen-based fertilizer application to promote greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soil to the atmosphere (Dhadli et al, 2016;La Scala et al, 2005;Zanatta et al, 2010;Zhang & Han, 2008;Zhong et al, 2021).…”