Decomposition rates of forest residues and soil fertility after clear-cutting of Eucalyptus grandis stands in response to site management and fertilizer application

Autor(es)

Rocha, J. H. T. ; Marques, E. R. G. ; Goncalves, J. L. d. M. ; Hubner, A. ; Brandani, C. B. ; Ferraz, A. d. V. ; Moreira, R. M.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT; v. 32, n. 3, p. 289-302, SEP 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 6

Resumo

Forest residues (i.e. harvest residues and litter) are important nutrient sources for trees because soils of poor fertility are used for eucalypt plantations in Brazil. Understanding the dynamics of decomposition for these residues and their effects on soil fertility are relevant for the management of forest plantations. The objectives with this study were to assess the effects of forest residue management and fertilizer, both applied in the establishment of a Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden stand, on the decomposition rate (k), nutrient release and soil fertility after harvest of this stand. The treatments were applied to a plantation (R1). After 8 yr, R1 was clear-cut and all of the treatments were reapplied to a new planting (R2). At the end of R1 (age of 8 yr), there was a reduction of 10% in the wood volume in the treatment with the forest residues removed and 36% reduction with no fertilizer application. At the end of 1 yr for plantation R2, these reductions were 30 and 57%, respectively. Residue decomposition under R2 was assessed by a new approach that involved collecting samples directly on the site without using litter bags. The k of forest residues was 3.6 for leaves, 1.2 for bark and 0.8 for branches. The application of small rates of N and P fertilizer did not influence the k of forest residues. In the first 300 days after clear-cutting, approximately 50% of N, P, Ca, Mg and S and 80% of K in the forest residues were released. Even so, this did not result in significant changes in soil fertility levels. Only small reductions in soil N and P contents over time and changes in topsoil pH resulted from forest residue removal. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/12009-0 - MANEJO DE RESÍDUOS FLORESTAIS E MÉTODOS DE PREPARO DE SOLO EM DUAS ROTAÇÕES DE CULTIVO DE Eucalyptus grandis
• Beneficiário: José Henrique Tertulino Rocha
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 10/16623-9 - Intensificação ecológica de plantações de eucaliptos pela associação com espécies leguminosas arbóreas fixadoras de nitrogênio
• Beneficiário: José Leonardo de Moraes Gonçalves
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático