Mixed field plantation of native and exotic species in semi-arid Brazil

Abstract

An afforestation of mixed plantation was proposed to provide wood supply and minimise exploratory actions in a biological reserve. Eucalyptus plants were indicated for this purpose. This study was carried out to test the effect of volatile oils extracted from the leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. and E. grandis Hill ex Maiden on the growth of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong. Under laboratory conditions, the Enterolobium plants showed tolerance to E. grandis oil, whereas E. camaldulensis oil caused loss of leaves, inhibition of height and diameter growth and a concomitant decrease in effective PSII quantum yield and the reduction of photosynthetic electron-transport chains. The field growth of E. contortisiliquum was not modified by intercropped E. grandis plants, confirming its tolerance. Inoculation with rhizobia and or mycorrhizal fungi significantly improved the height and diameter growth of these species. The results showed that E. contortisiliquum plants could be intercropped with E. grandis for reforestation and agroforestry systems.

Allelopathic effects of eucalyptus and the establishment of mixed stands of eucalyptus and native species

“…Thus, mixed plantations of eucalyptus and native species have been proposed to maximize the productivity and enhance the ecological services of forest plantations (DeBell et al, 1985;Turnbull, 1999;Forrester et al, 2005;Bristow et al, 2006;Erskine et al, 2006). In recent years, multiple-species plantations, which include high value native species, have been used in tropical systems (Erskine et al, 2005;Duarte et al, 2006;Guerrero and Bustamante, 2007). Since eucalyptus trees might negatively impact seed germination and growth of native species (Everett, 2000;Duarte et al, 2006), it is important to screen for native species candidates with high tolerance to allelopathic effects of eucalyptus.…”

“…In recent years, multiple-species plantations, which include high value native species, have been used in tropical systems (Erskine et al, 2005;Duarte et al, 2006;Guerrero and Bustamante, 2007). Since eucalyptus trees might negatively impact seed germination and growth of native species (Everett, 2000;Duarte et al, 2006), it is important to screen for native species candidates with high tolerance to allelopathic effects of eucalyptus. Further, the productivity of eucalyptus might be enhanced when mixed with native species under appropriate management (Erskine et al, 2006).…”

Intercropping system of tropical leguminous species and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, inoculated with rhizobia and/or mycorrhizal fungi in semiarid Brazil

“…Interspecific facilitation occurs when one crop positively alters the environment of the other, constituting the basis of the yield advantage of intercropping (Lil et al 1999). Agroforest Syst (2008) 74:231-242 237 This facilitation or nurse plant phenomenon (Callaway et al 1991) has been attributed to leguminous species because of their symbiotic interactions which lead to production of nutrient rich litter, as described for Acacia senegal (Raddad and Luukkanen 2007), Anadenanthera peregrina (Scotti and Correa 2004) and Enterololobium contortisiliquum (Duarte et al 2006), as well as to the ability of mycorrhizal hyphae to decompose organic matter (Scotti and Correa 2004) and improve soil nutrient availability (Smith and Read 1997). Therefore, the hypothesis of higher availability of soil nutrients is in agreement with the fact that double inoculation favoured the synergisms among plants of A. peregrina and E. camaldulensis.…”

“…Native species of woody caatinga were selected to be cultivated in mixed plantation due to their ability to grow in presence of essential oils from Eucalyptus grandis and E. camaldulensis in vitro (data not shown) as described in Duarte et al (2006). This paper reports on the intercropping of Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Spegazzini (Mimosoideae), Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr.…”

Aboveground nutrient components of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. grandis in semiarid Brazil under the nature and the mycorrhizal inoculation conditions

“…Each block was composed by one plot of 378 m 2 (21m×18 m) with single plantations and 42 plants per block, with a spacing of 3m×3m. These plots were irrigated for about 10 months (Duarte et al 2006, Pagano et al 2008.…”