Nutrient Stocks, Nutrient Cycling, and Soil Changes in Cocoa Ecosystems: A Review

Hartemink, Alfred E.

doi:10.1016/s0065-2113(05)86005-5

Cited by 175 publications

(137 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…e.g, Hartemink et al 2005 ;Belsky et al 1989; Young cocoa seedlings are generally established under denser shade which is then removed as the cocoa trees mature. e.g., CRIG Ghana Cocoa Manual; Black pod infection in cocoa trees is generally exacerbated by high humidity and poor airflow (e.g., under heavy shade).…”

Section: Shade Tree Benefits For Theobroma Cacaomentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Wartenberg¹,

Blaser²,

Janudianto³

et al. 2018

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Despite extensive research focused on increasing the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems in the tropics, adoption rates of improved management solutions often remain low among smallholder farmers. To address this, we evaluated how local knowledge and perceptions influenced decision-making processes among smallholder cocoa farmers. We conducted individual semistructured interviews with 72 cocoa farmers in Southeast Sulawesi and documented local knowledge about soil fertility indicators, nutrient cycling processes, and the interactions among shade trees, cocoa trees, and soils in cocoa agroforests. We further collected data regarding farmers' fertilizer preferences, additional income sources, and perceived barriers to improved cocoa production. We found that farmers' understanding of biophysical interactions in Southeast Sulawesi was comprehensive, mostly accurately aligned with scientific literature, and sometimes provided additional complementary knowledge. Cocoa farmers in Southeast Sulawesi approached decision making in a holistic way, integrating personal observations, information from external sources, and socioeconomic limitations and priorities. This finding highlights the value of flexible conservation farming approaches that allow farmers to minimize trade-offs and prioritize their households' needs. Finally, we identify a "dual" knowledge gap on the part of farmers and scientists regarding the direct benefits of shade tree inclusion for improved yields and income security. Addressing this through further research and targeted knowledge dissemination could contribute to an increase in the long-term adoption rates of more sustainable cocoa cultivation practices.

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Section: Shade Tree Benefits For Theobroma Cacaomentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Wartenberg¹,

Blaser²,

Janudianto³

et al. 2018

E&S

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“…Soil samples were drawn at the centre of the even-numbered sub-quadrats, resulting in a total of five soil samples per plot. Measurements were deliberately restricted to a depth of 0 to 20 cm for the following reasons: (i) most significant changes in soil characteristics in any vegetation (especially in a tropical environment) are confined to the topmost layer of the soil profile (Aweto, 1981;Aweto and Iyanda, 2003;Tondoh et al, 2015); (ii) these depths cover the main distribution of roots and soil nutrient stocks of cocoa plantations (Hartemink, 2005) and is therefore usually used in soil surveys for fertilizer recommendations in West African cocoa-based agroecosystems (Snoeck et al, 2010); (iii) several studies (e.g. Isaac et al, 2007) demonstrated that cacao trees tend to have shallow root activity within the topsoil (0-20 cm); (iv) biological processes, such as earthworm activities, are restricted to 0-10 cm layer of tropical soils; (v) measurements were restricted to facilitate future replication of the methodology as routine soil samples are usually taken from the topsoil layer (plough layer); and (vi) the soil degradation index developed in this study is expected to be used by farmers and extension officers for rehabilitating degraded cocoa plantations in the study area and similar environments, and by confining the samples to the topsoil, the likelihood of adoption by the end users is greater.…”

Section: Soil Sample Collection For Laboratory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a composite soil degradation assessment index for cocoa agroecosystems in southwestern Nigeria

2017

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Abstract. Cocoa agroecosystems are a major land-use type in the tropical rainforest belt of West Africa, reportedly associated with several ecological changes, including soil degradation. This study aims to develop a composite soil degradation assessment index (CSDI) for determining the degradation level of cocoa soils under smallholder agroecosystems of southwestern Nigeria. Plots where natural forests have been converted to cocoa agroecosystems of ages 1-10, 11-40, and 41-80 years, respectively representing young cocoa plantations (YCPs), mature cocoa plantations (MCPs), and senescent cocoa plantations (SCPs), were identified to represent the biological cycle of the cocoa tree. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 20 cm in each plot and analysed in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. Factor analysis of soil data revealed four major interacting soil degradation processes: decline in soil nutrients, loss of soil organic matter, increase in soil acidity, and the breakdown of soil textural characteristics over time. These processes were represented by eight soil properties (extractable zinc, silt, soil organic matter (SOM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus, total porosity, pH, and clay content). These soil properties were subjected to forward stepwise discriminant analysis (STEPDA), and the result showed that four soil properties (extractable zinc, cation exchange capacity, SOM, and clay content) are the most useful in separating the studied soils into YCP, MCP, and SCP. In this way, we have sufficiently eliminated redundancy in the final selection of soil degradation indicators. Based on these four soil parameters, a CSDI was developed and used to classify selected cocoa soils into three different classes of degradation. The results revealed that 65 % of the selected cocoa farms are moderately degraded, while 18 % have a high degradation status. The numerical value of the CSDI as an objective index of soil degradation under cocoa agroecosystems was statistically validated. The results of this study reveal that soil management should promote activities that help to increase organic matter and reduce Zn deficiency over the cocoa growth cycle. Finally, the newly developed CSDI can provide an early warning of soil degradation processes and help farmers and extension officers to implement rehabilitation practices on degraded cocoa soils.

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“…Although conflicting results exist on the utility of multiple species in agroecosystems (Hartemink 2005;Asare 2006), it remains a critical concept in overall long-term farm development and management.…”

Section: Management Consequencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conflicting results have been documented on the advantages or disadvantages of trees in the agricultural landscape, particularly the effects on productivity and fertility in cocoa agroforestry systems (Beer and others 1998;Schroth and others 2001;Hartemink 2005). Farmer response to such inconsistency often includes a variety of techniques adapted to the local conditions and frequently relies on local information and management decision making under conditions of uncertainty (Schulz and others 1994;Spender 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Local Knowledge Use in Agroforestry Management with Cognitive Maps

Isaac

Dawoe

Sieciechowicz

2008

Environmental Management

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Small-holder farmers often develop adaptable agroforestry management techniques to improve and diversify crop production. In the cocoa growing region of Ghana, local knowledge on such farm management holds a noteworthy role in the overall farm development. The documentation and analysis of such knowledge use in cocoa agroforests may afford an applicable framework to determine mechanisms driving farmer preference and indicators in farm management. This study employed 12 in-depth farmer interviews regarding variables in farm management as a unit of analysis and utilized cognitive mapping as a qualitative method of analysis. Our objectives were (1) to illustrate and describe agroforestry management variables and associated farm practices, (2) to determine the scope of decision making of individual farmers, and (3) to investigate the suitability of cognitive mapping as a tool for assessing local knowledge use. Results from the cognitive maps revealed an average of 16 ± 3 variables and 19 ± 3 links between management variables in the farmer cognitive maps. Farmer use of advantageous ecological processes was highly central to farm management (48% of all variables), particularly manipulation of organic matter, shade and food crop establishment, and maintenance of a tree stratum as the most common, highly linked variables. Over 85% of variables included bidirectional arrows, interpreted as farm management practices dominated by controllable factors, insofar as farmers indicated an ability to alter most farm characteristics. Local knowledge use on cocoa production revealed detailed indicators for site evaluation, thus affecting farm preparation and management. Our findings suggest that amid multisourced information under conditions of uncertainty, strategies for adaptable agroforestry management should integrate existing and localized management frameworks and that cognitive mapping provides a tool-based approach to advance such a management support system.

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Nutrient Stocks, Nutrient Cycling, and Soil Changes in Cocoa Ecosystems: A Review

Cited by 175 publications

References 35 publications

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Development of a composite soil degradation assessment index for cocoa agroecosystems in southwestern Nigeria

Assessing Local Knowledge Use in Agroforestry Management with Cognitive Maps

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Nutrient Stocks, Nutrient Cycling, and Soil Changes in Cocoa Ecosystems: A Review

Cited by 175 publications

References 35 publications

Farmer perceptions of plant&#8211;soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Farmer perceptions of plant&#8211;soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Development of a composite soil degradation assessment index for cocoa agroecosystems in southwestern Nigeria

Assessing Local Knowledge Use in Agroforestry Management with Cognitive Maps

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Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi