Introduction of a leguminous shrub to a rubber plantation changed the soil carbon and nitrogen fractions and ameliorated soil environments

Abstract

The conversion of monoculture rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations into rubber-based agroforestry systems has become a common trend in forestry management in the past few decades. Rubber–Flemingia macrophylla (a leguminous shrub) systems are popular in southwestern China’s Xishuangbanna region. The biogeochemical cycles of soil carbon and nitrogen in forests are mainly affected by their fractions. This study investigated the effect of introducing Flemingia macrophylla to rubber plantations of different ages on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions. The experimental treatments included R1 (young rubber plantation), RF1 (young rubber–Flemingia macrophylla system), R2 (mature rubber plantation) and RF2 (mature rubber–Flemingia macrophylla system). The results showed that the introduction of Flemingia macrophylla to rubber plantations of different ages significantly changed soil carbon and nitrogen fractions, improved soil labile organic carbon and nitrogen contents, and ameliorated soil environments. The average soil microbial biomass organic carbon, nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen in the 0–10 cm soil layer during the experimental period was 38.9%, 55.5%, and 214.7% higher in RF1 than R1, respectively, and 22.1%, 22.2%, and 652.2% higher in RF2 than R2, respectively. Therefore, Flemingia macrophylla can be used as an alternative interplanted tree species within rubber plantations in similar environments of southeastern Asia.

Effects of rubber plantations on soil physicochemical properties on Hainan Island, China

“…Accordingly, the CAISPP values showed that of intercropped RPs had better soil quality than monoculture RPs. These findings show that, consistent with some previous studies (Chen et al, 2019;Liu, Nie, et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2019), intercropping improves soil quality in RPs.…”

“…The continuously rising need of RPs is accompanied by the conversion of tropical forests into RPs in tropical Asia (Allen et al, 2015;De Blécourt et al, 2014;Guillaume et al, 2018;Hassler et al, 2017). Generally, this conversion has negative impacts on soils and ecosystem services, threatening biodiversity and human livelihoods (Liu, Nie, et al, 2018;Liu et al, 2019;Qiu, 2009;Tan et al, 2011;Zhai et al, 2012Zhai et al, , 2014.…”

The future of coffee and cocoa agroforestry in a warmer Mesoamerica

“…poeppigiana (poró) and the majority of Inga species. These species make up the most abundant agroforestry trees in coffee and cocoa plantations in Mesoamerica 31,32 , and have a key role for the management of soil fertility and sustain more stable productivity 33,34 , especially in low-input and small farming plantations 35 . Therefore, our results anticipate a serious threat for future coffee and cocoa plantations if alternatives for N -fixing species are not promptly identified.…”

The potential for biochar application in rubber plantations in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China: a pot trial

“…Recently, an environmentally friendly rubber plantation construction has been initiated in Xishuangbanna, and several combinations of rubber trees and other economic plants in agroforestry systems have been tried (Liu et al 2016a;Mo and Sha 2016). In these systems, some understory plants, such as Flemingia macrophylla (Liu et al 2018;Pang et al 2009), produce waste biomass after clipping every year which could be used to make biochar. Other potential feedstocks in the Xishuangbanna area, such as corn stalks and coconut shells, are also available for biochar production.…”