Implication of Urochloa spp. Intercropping and Conservation Agriculture on Soil Microbiological Quality and Yield of Tahiti Acid Lime in Long Term Orchard Experiment

Abstract

Techniques such as intercropping and minimum tillage improve soil quality, including soil microbial activity, which stimulates the efficient use of soil resources by plants. However, the effects of such practices in soil under citrus orchards have not been well characterized. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of mowing and intercrop species on soil microbiological characteristics beneath a Tahiti acid lime orchard. The orchard was planted using minimum tillage and intercropped with two species of Urochloa species (U. ruziziensis—ruzi grass; U. decumbens—signal grass), with two types of mowers for Urochloa biomass (ecological; conventional) and herbicide applications. The study was conducted over 10 years. The ecological mower made the largest deposition of the intercrop biomass, thus providing the lowest disturbance of soil microbial activity and increasing, on average over all 10 years, the basal soil respiration (45%), microbial biomass carbon (25%), abundance of 16S rRNA (1.5%) and ITS (3.5%) genes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (30%), and providing a ca. 20% higher fruit yield. U. ruziziensis in combination with ecological mowing stimulated the abundance of the genes nifH (1.5%) and phoD (3.0%). The herbicide showed little influence. We conclude that the use of U. ruziziensis as an intercrop in citrus orchards subjected to ecological mowing can be recommended for improving and sustaining soil quality and citrus fruit production.

Crop Succession and Nitrogen Splitting Fertilization in Common Bean in Newly Implemented No-tillage System

“…This demonstrates the feasibility of using this forage in intercropping systems with maize in an area with newly implemented no-tillage, promoting several ecosystem bene ts to the agroecosystem without affecting the yield of the crop in succession and, often, without affecting maize yield (Borghi et al, 2013;Queiroz et al, 2016). Using forage species in a production system promotes improvements in soil structure and fertility, reduction of erosion, increase in microbiological activity, availability of nutrients, reduction of mineral fertilizers, increase of natural enemies and reduction in the sources of pests and diseases (Arantes et al, 2020;Baptistella et al, 2020;Silva et al, 2021). In the intercropping system, the competition exerted by U. ruziziensis against maize is veri ed by the reduction of 8.7% in GY when compared to the sole cultivation of the cereal in the rst year.…”

“…Due to their physiology and type of growth, Urochloa species have higher straw production than maize (Mingotte et al, 2020;Mingotte et al, 2021a), hence with greater potential for use in NTS implementation. This forage promotes several bene ts to agriculture, especially nutrient cycling, protection against erosion and improvement of soil fertility and structure (Arantes et al, 2020;Baptistella et al, 2020;Silva et al, 2021). However, the great disadvantage of these species as sole crops is the lack of direct and rapid economic return for the producer.…”

Soil Organic Matter and Aggregate Stability in Soybean, Maize and Urochloa Production Systems in a Very Clayey Soil of the Brazilian Savanna

“…Production systems that involved the exclusive Piatã (P) growed and without soybean crop succession (M, MP, MP/P, MP/P/P) obtained, in general, better aggregation indices. Effective surface coverage by forages reduces or even prevents raindrop impact [49], promotes hydraulic roughness and reduces surface runoff [50,51], favoring the preservation of soil moisture and contributing to a more favorable environment for aggregation [52,53].…”

Changes in Soil Microbial Parameters after Herbicide Application in Soils under Conventional Tillage and Non-Tillage

“…Soil microorganisms are key bioindicators of soil health, functionality, and eco-sustainability [8,9]. Soil microbiota has various functions in the soil, being responsible for mineralising and decomposing soil organic matter (OM) from residues; regulating nutrient cycling, including that of carbon and nitrogen; providing and supporting the flow of energy and biochemical cycles; and enhancing soil aggregation [10]. These functions amend soil health and boost nutrient availability for plant growth and increase crop yields [11].…”