Soil Quality Evaluation in Mono and Mixed Eucalypt Plantation

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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.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SUSTAINABILITY; v. 16, n. 6, p. 15-pg., 2024-03-01.

Resumo

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)

• Processo FAPESP: 21/10573-4 - Centro de Pesquisa de Carbono em Agricultura Tropical (CCARBON)
• Beneficiário: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs
• Processo FAPESP: 17/16610-3 - Plantações intercaladas de Eucalyptus grandis e Acacia mangium: o microbioma do ciclo do nitrogênio na interface solo e serapilheira
• Beneficiário: Arthur Prudêncio de Araujo Pereira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado
• 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
• Processo FAPESP: 16/18944-3 - Mudanças climáticas e eficiência energética na agricultura: um enfoque em estresse hídrico, manejo orgânico e biologia do solo
• Beneficiário: Elke Jurandy Bran Nogueira Cardoso
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa de Pesquisa sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 16/01636-4 - O metagenoma de florestas mistas de Eucalyptus urograndis: Diversidade taxonômica e funcional do microbioma do solo associada à ciclagem do nitrogênio
• Beneficiário: Arthur Prudêncio de Araujo Pereira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado