Formation of Macroaggregates and Organic Carbon in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems

Suárez, Leonardo Rodríguez; Audor, Leidy Carolina Ule; Suárez, Juan Carlos

doi:10.1590/2179-8087.031218

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…There were however significant differences in farmers' perceptions of the level of soil macro-fauna diversity and density which could be attributed to differences in age of farmer, age of farm, farm experience, farm size, and level of education. Some studies carried out in different parts of the tropics [24,25,28,29,38,39,40,41] have shown that soil fauna diversity and density are relatively higher in agro-ecological farming systems. This could be attributed to the fact that agroecological farming systems like agroforestry make use of limited agro-chemicals which are harmful to soil organisms.…”

Section: Soil Macro-fauna Diversity and Density In Cocoa-based Agrofomentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of the Role Played by Tree Diversity and Density on Soil Macro-Fauna Diversity and Density in Cocoa-Based (Theobroma cacao) Agroforestry Systems in Cameroon

Tsufac

Awazi

Yerima

2020

IJPSS

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Tree diversity and density in agroforestry systems has been found to increase the diversity and density of soil macro-fauna. However, very little is known of the relationship between tree diversity and density in cocoa agroforests and soil macro-fauna diversity and density. This study was therefore undertaken to fill this knowledge gap. A mixed research approach was adopted and data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the findings, most cocoa farmers perceived that tree diversity in cocoa agroforests was either average, high or very high. Most cocoa farmers perceived that tree density on its part was either average or low. Concerning soil macro-fauna diversity in cocoa-based agroforestry systems, most of the cocoa farmers perceived that soil macro-fauna diversity was either average or high. For soil macro-fauna density in cocoa agroforests, most cocoa farmers perceived that soil macro-fauna density was either average, high or low. Through correlation and regression analyses, it was found that a statistically significant (p<0.05) direct non-cause-effect and cause-effect relationship existed between the level of tree diversity and density in cocoa-based agroforestry systems (very high tree diversity, high tree diversity, average tree diversity, low tree diversity, very low tree diversity), and the level of soil macro-fauna diversity and density. This implies that increasing tree species diversity and density leads to increasing soil macro-fauna diversity and density in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It is therefore recommended that policy makers take drastic measures to ensure greater tree diversity and density in cocoa agroforests in order to ensure higher soil macro-fauna diversity and density.

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Section: Soil Macro-fauna Diversity and Density In Cocoa-based Agrofomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tree diversity and density in agroforestry systems has been noticed to improve soil fauna diversity and density [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. This has been attributed to the fact that some of these tree species act as bait, attracting certain soil fauna [28,29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of the Role Played by Tree Diversity and Density on Soil Macro-Fauna Diversity and Density in Cocoa-Based (Theobroma cacao) Agroforestry Systems in Cameroon

Tsufac

Awazi

Yerima

2020

IJPSS

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“…This could be attributed to the fact that all these factors contribute towards adding more nutrients to the soil, which goes a long way to enhance the fertility of the soil. Studies carried out across Cameroon, Africa and other parts of the world, on different agricultural systems (cocoa-based agroforestry systems inclusive) have shown that soil fertility is enhanced by factors such as fertilizer/manure application, diversity of tree species in a farming system, diversity and density of soil macro-fauna in a farming system [4][5]16,20,33,[36][37][38][39][40][41]. However, few of these studies were done in cocoa-based agroforestry systems, which was the research gap this study sought to fill.…”

Section: Factors Influencing Soil Fertility In Cocoa-based Agroforestry Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the determinants of soil fertility in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in the Littoral region of Cameroon

Tsufac

Awazi

Yerima

2020

IJPSS

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Soil fertility decline is a reality across the globe. Soil infertility has led to falling crop yields for both food and cash crops precipitating both poverty and food insecurity. Poor agricultural practices have often been blamed for declining levels of soil fertility. It was within this framework that this study was carried out to assess soil fertility levels in cocoa-based agroforestry systems in the Littoral region of Cameroon. Through the use of a mixed research approach and descriptive and inferential statistical analysis it was found that the most perceived indicators of soil fertility by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems were cocoa yields (100%), soil colour (90%), indicator plant species (75%), presence of soil macro-organisms (80%), indicator weed species (65%), growth rate/vigour of the cocoa plant (70%), and level of compaction of the soil (50%). Chi-square test statistic (X2 = 15.92, p<0.05) revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in cocoa farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility indicators in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Most cocoa farmers perceived the level of soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems to be between average (29%) and low (43%). Very few cocoa farmers perceived that soil fertility level in cocoa-based agroforestry systems was very high (5.3%). Chi-square test statistic (X2 = 38.42, p<0.05), revealed the existence of a statistically significant difference in cocoa farmers’ perception of the level of soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Correlation and regression analyses showed the existence of a direct and inverse non-causal and causal relationship respectively between several explanatory variables and soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It was noticed that explanatory variables such as fertilizer/manure application, diversity of tree species in the cocoa agroforests, diversity of soil macro-fauna in the cocoa agroforests, and density of soil macro-fauna in the cocoa agroforests, all had a statistically significant (p<0.05) direct non-causal and causal relationship with soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Meanwhile, explanatory variables such as age of the cocoa farm, density of cocoa plants in the cocoa agroforests, and application of agrochemicals in the cocoa agroforests, all had a statistically significant (p<0.05) non-causal and causal relationship with soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It is therefore recommended that there should be more organic fertilizer/manure application, more diversity of tree species in the cocoa agroforests, and measures to ensure the diversity and density of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based agroforestry systems.

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“…These smallholder farmers are often resource poor, and use mainly rudimentary production techniques (Tankou, 2015). The cocoa production system in these tropical countries is bedeviled by poor infrastructural facilities, aging farmers and farms, limited credit facilities, inadequate land, few and unstable markets, and many other hurdles which have pushed many cocoa farmers to abandon their cocoa farms for alternative sources of employment (Oke and Odebiyi, 2007;Utomo et al, 2016;Suarez et al, 2018;Oliveira et al, 2018;Suarez et al, 2019). The cocoa sector therefore needs major revamping across the tropics in order to ensure sustained production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of agrochemical application on the diversity and abundance of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in Cameroon

Tsufac¹,

Yerima²,

Enang³

et al. 2021

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Cocoa farmers' excessive use of agrochemicals in cocoa agroforests has major repercussions on soil organisms, which play a great role in soil fertility enhancement. This study was carried out to examine the relationship between agrochemical use and soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance in cocoa agroforests in Cameroon. A mixed research approach was used, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. It was found that the main types of agrochemicals used by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems were fungicides (100%), insecticides (100%), and herbicides (36.7%). The categorization of the major types of agrochemicals used by cocoa farmers revealed that, two types of herbicides, eight types of fungicides, and nine types of insecticides were used by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Most cocoa farmers perceived that all the agrochemicals lead to a decrease in soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Chi-square test statistic results (X2 > 78, p<0.05) showed that cocoa farmers' perceptions of the effects of agrochemicals on the diversity and abundance of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based agroforestry systems differed significantly across the main types of agrochemicals (herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides). Correlation and regression analyses showed the existence of a statistically significant (p<0.05) inverse non-causal and causal relationship respectively between most agrochemicals and soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance in cocoa-based agroforestry systems, implying that the use of these agrochemicals leads to a reduction in soil macro-fauna diversity and abundance in cocoa agroforests. Thus, it is recommended that measures be taken to reduce the use of agrochemicals in cocoa agroforests in order to safeguard the diversity and abundance of soil macrofauna in these systems.

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Formation of Macroaggregates and Organic Carbon in Cocoa Agroforestry Systems

Cited by 12 publications

References 30 publications

Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of the Role Played by Tree Diversity and Density on Soil Macro-Fauna Diversity and Density in Cocoa-Based (Theobroma cacao) Agroforestry Systems in Cameroon

Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of the Role Played by Tree Diversity and Density on Soil Macro-Fauna Diversity and Density in Cocoa-Based (Theobroma cacao) Agroforestry Systems in Cameroon

Assessing the determinants of soil fertility in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in the Littoral region of Cameroon

Effects of agrochemical application on the diversity and abundance of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in Cameroon

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