Chemical and physical fertility indicators of a weakly-structured Ultisol after liming and mulching

Moura, Emanoel Gomes de; Coelho, Kátia Pereira; Freitas, Idelfonso Colares de; Aguiar, Alana das Chagas Ferreira

doi:10.1590/s0103-90162009000600012

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…This delays the loss of moisture and improves air capacity and infiltration (Moura et al 2009a). Nutrient retention in the root zone can be enhanced where nutrients are added in slow release forms and biologically mediated processes utilised for nutrient release.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient use efficiency in alley cropping systems in the Amazonian periphery

Moura¹,

Serpa²,

Santos³

et al. 2010

Plant Soil

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In the SE periphery of Brazilian Amazonia, low-input agriculture systems on sandy loam soils have very low nutrient use efficiency. In a low-input alley cropping system, we measured residue decomposition dynamics and the yield and nutrient uptake of a maize crop associated with the following treatments: Clitoria + Pigeon pea; Acacia + Pigeon pea; Leucaena + Clitoria; Leucaena + Acacia, Leucaena + Pigeon pea and no residue input (control). The acacia treatments provided better soil coverage throughout the whole corn cycle. Potassium was released faster than nitrogen from the residues; N concentration in corn leaves in the residue treatments were below critical levels. The Leucaena + Acacia treatment was the most effective in increasing posttasseling N and K assimilation and K use efficiency.This resulted in corn productivity 3.5 times greater (7.3 Mg ha −1 ) than the control without residue application. In the Amazonian sandy loam soils, which are susceptible to hardsetting and nutrient leaching, efficient N and K use should be priorities for soil management. Although no-till alley cropping of leguminous trees constitutes an important option for lowinput farming, its efficiency depends on using a mixture of residues that keeps soil covered and have high rates of both N and K release during the entire crop cycle.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient use efficiency in alley cropping systems in the Amazonian periphery

Moura¹,

Serpa²,

Santos³

et al. 2010

Plant Soil

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“…Unfortunately, none of the alternatives to burning increases productivity or ensures sustainability of agrosystems in the humid tropics. Most alternatives replicate practices established in other regions and are based on soil tillage and saturation with soluble nutrients (Moura et al, 2009b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and agricultural benefits of a management system designed for sandy loam soils of the humid tropics

Aguiar

Amorim²,

Coelho³

et al. 2009

Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo

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SUMMARYA sustainable management of soils with low natural fertility on family farms in the humid tropics is a great challenge and overcoming it would be an enormous benefit for the environment and the farmers. The objective of this study was to assess the environmental and agronomic benefits of alley cropping, based on the evaluation of C sequestration, soil quality indicators, and corn yields. Combinations of four legumes were used in alley cropping systems in the following treatments: Clitoria fairchildiana + Cajanus cajan; Acacia mangium + Cajanus cajan; Leucaena leucocephala + Cajanus cajan; Clitoria fairchildiana + Leucaena leucocephala; Leucaena leucocephala + Acacia mangium and a control. Corn was used as a cash crop. The C content was determined in the different compartments of soil organic matter, CEC, available P, base saturation, percentage of water saturation, the period of the root hospitality factor below the critical level and corn yield. It was concluded that alley cropping could substitute the slash and burn system in the humid tropics. The main environmental benefit of alley cropping is the maintenance of a dynamic equilibrium between C input and output that could sustain up to 10 Mg ha -1 of C in the litter layer, decreasing atmospheric CO 2 levels. Alley cropping is also beneficial from the agricultural point of view, because it increases base saturation and decreases physical resistance to root penetration in the soil layer 0 -10 cm, which ensures the increase and sustainability of corn yield.Index terms: corn, alley cropping, litterfall, rootability.(

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Chemical and physical fertility indicators of a weakly-structured Ultisol after liming and mulching

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Nutrient use efficiency in alley cropping systems in the Amazonian periphery

Nutrient use efficiency in alley cropping systems in the Amazonian periphery

Environmental and agricultural benefits of a management system designed for sandy loam soils of the humid tropics

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