Soil Quality Evaluation in Mono and Mixed Eucalypt Plantation

Author(s):Show less -

Pereira, Arthur P. A. ; Cherubin, Mauricio R. ; de Araujo, Ademir S. F. ; Santana, Maiele C. ; de Medeiros, Erika V. ; da Costa, Diogo P. ; de Souza, Adijailton J. ; Lima, Antonio Y. V. ; da Silva, Danilo F. ; Estrada, Paula A. C. ; Mendes, Lucas W. ; Verma, Jay P. ; Koutika, Lydie S. ; Cardoso, Elke J. B. N.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SUSTAINABILITY; v. 16, n. 6, p. 15-pg., 2024-03-01.

Abstract

Soil quality (SQ) pertains to the intricate and ongoing capacity of soil to function as a thriving ecosystem that supports the growth of plants and animals. However, there is a limited understanding of SQ assessment in mixed forest plantations. Therefore, we formulated and tested the hypothesis that the inclusion of a nitrogen-fixing tree species (such as Acacia mangium) improves SQ indicators in mixed treatments involving Eucalyptus trees. To evaluate the changes in SQ, we conducted a field experiment that employed the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) tool to analyze pure and mixed plantations of Eucalyptus grandis and A. mangium. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm from different treatments, including pure E. grandis without nitrogen fertilization (E), pure A. mangium (A), pure E. grandis with nitrogen fertilization (E + N), and mixed E. grandis and A. mangium (E + A). Sampling took place at 27 and 39 months after planting. We selected seven indicators of SQ: two biological indicators (soil microbial biomass carbon and beta-glucosidase enzyme activity), four chemical indicators (soil organic carbon, pH, available phosphorus, and potassium), and one physical indicator (bulk density). By applying the SMAF tool, we determined the SQ scores for each indicator. The results revealed that E + A stands exhibited higher SMAF scores than pure stands, particularly in terms of pH (0.49 and 0.52 at 27 and 39 months, respectively) and phosphorus levels (0.84 and 0.82, at 27 and 39 months), respectively. Forest management practices and the sampling period had the most pronounced impact on biological and chemical indicators. Notably, significant positive correlations were observed between SMAF scores and pH, available phosphorus content, enzymes, soil organic carbon, and microbial biomass in both sampling periods. This study effectively provided novel information that introducing a nitrogen-fixing tree species in combination with eucalyptus trees enhances SQ, as indicated by the SMAF tool, which could reduce the need for external inputs (e.g., mineral fertilizers) by the farmers. Future studies should analyze the effects of A. mangium not only with other E. grandis varieties but also with other forestry essences. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON)
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 17/16610-3 - Intercropped plantations of Eucalyptus grandis and Acacia mangium: nitrogen cycle microbiome in the soil and litter interface
• Grantee: Arthur Prudêncio de Araujo Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/16623-9 - Ecological intensification of eucalyptus plantations by association of nitrogen fixing leguminous tree species
• Grantee: José Leonardo de Moraes Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/18944-3 - Climatic changes and energetic efficiency in agriculture: focusing on hydric stress, organic management and soil biology
• Grantee: Elke Jurandy Bran Nogueira Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/01636-4 - The metagenome of mixed forests of Eucalyptus urograndis: taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbiome associated with nitrogen cycling
• Grantee: Arthur Prudêncio de Araujo Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate