Influence of livestock systems with live fences of Gliricidia sepium on several soil properties in Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

G. Villanueva-López, P. Martínez-Zurimendi, L. Ramírez-Avilés, F. Casanova-Lugo, and A. Jarquín-Sánchez. 2014. Influence of livestock systems with live fences of Gliricidia sepium on several soil properties in Tabasco, Mexico. Cien Inv. Agr. 41(2): 175-186. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of two livestock systems, a livestock system with live fences (LSLF) of Gliricidia sepium associated with signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) and a livestock system based on a grass monoculture (LSPM), on specific physical and chemical soil characteristics at different depths and distances from the fence. In each system, we randomly selected 9 plots of 600 m 2. A completely randomized design was used with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in which we analyzed the influence of the livestock systems (LSLF and LSPM), soil strata (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) and the interaction of both factors using a multivariate analysis of variance. In addition, we performed analysis of variance to determine the effect of distance sampling in the LSLF (0-3, 3-6 and 6-9 m). The LSLFs were associated with higher (P≤0.05) soil organic matter (OM), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content as well as lower pH and bulk density (BD) when compared with the LSPM. In both livestock systems, the soil OM, C and N were higher (P≤0.05) in the upper (0-10 cm) strata and in the LSLF at a 3 to 6 m distance from the live fences. In the LSLF soil, the pH and BD were similar (P>0.05) at different depths and distances from the live fences. However, the soil pH varied between soil depths in the LSPM. Regarding the physical soil properties, only the sand and clay content varied (P≤0.05) at different depths in both systems but not at different distances from the LSLF. We concluded that the LSLF presents high potential to substantially improve the physical and chemical soil properties and provide an important option for reducing soil degradation in future in livestock production systems based on pasture monoculture.

Live fences reduce the diurnal and seasonal fluctuations of soil CO2 emissions in livestock systems

“…In addition, factors such as root activity and density per area, the presence of mycorrhizal fungi, availability of C substrates for microbial biomass, nitrogen content, organic matter content, and other soil physical and chemical properties also influence soil CO 2 emissions (Lohila et al 2003;Xu et al 2006;Dube et al 2009). In accordance with Villanueva-López et al (2014), in this zone, soil pH and bulk density were higher in the systems with live fences (LF) than in the livestock systems in grass monoculture (GM) ( Table 1), indicating that the presence of G. sepium trees in the systems with live fences (LF) may have improved bulk density and soil pH, probably through an increase in leaf litter entering the system as reported by Berninger and Salas (2003), Eldridge and Wong (2005), and Villanueva-López et al (2014). However, our results show that there were no significant differences in soil CO 2 emissions between systems, and they show the same trend as the content of organic matter (Table 1), suggesting that improved physical and chemical soil properties do not necessarily result in higher soil CO 2 emissions, while the lower contents of organic matter (Table 1) in the livestock systems in grass monoculture (GM), due to the absence of trees, may have resulted in emissions being more sensitive to diurnal changes.…”

“…They are generally used for delimiting farm boundaries and dividing pasture and frequently run along the edge of paths and tracks. Currently, live fences represent the only tree cover present in tropical livestock systems that encompass large and ever increasing areas of land; they are not the only system, but one of the most important in the landscape of the region of the study (Grande et al 2010;Villanueva-López et al 2014). Despite the importance they play in terms of tree cover and as man-made biological corridors, there are very few studies on the role of live fences in reducing CO 2 emissions (Soto et al 2010).…”

Carbon storage in livestock systems with and without live fences of Gliricidia sepium in the humid tropics of Mexico

“…The annual mean temperature is 25°C, with a maximum monthly mean of 43 to 45°C in June and a minimum monthly mean of 18 to 21°C in December (García 1988). The total annual rainfall is between 3000 and 4000 mm, with a maximum monthly mean of 569.7 mm in September and a minimum monthly mean of 167.4 mm during April (weather information from the station of Tapijulapa, Tacotalpa, Tabasco; Villanueva-López et al 2014). …”

“…Kunth ex Walp) is by far the most widely used species due to its ability to readily propagate and root from cuttings, rapid initial growth and regrowth after drastic pruning, resistance to prolonged drought, and ability to provide highquality timber and poles. In addition, this species improves the physical and chemical conditions of soil (Villanueva-López et al 2014), fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and provides shade, fodder and fruits of high nutritional value for livestock throughout the year (Harvey et al 2005;Villanueva-López et al 2014). Live fences are pruned every two years, at one of two times during the year: between November and March or between July and August.…”

Arboreal/Arbustive Component Associated to Livestock Systems in San Vicente del Caguán Municipality, Caquetá—Colombia

“…However, this species has a special ability for N fixation, being used for intercropping and soil proprieties stabilization [31] [37] [38] and as alley cropping in Indonesia [39].…”