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Fahad, S.;  Chavan, S.B.;  Chichaghare, A.R.;  Uthappa, A.R.;  Kumar, M.;  Kakade, V.;  Pradhan, A.;  Jinger, D.;  Rawale, G.;  Yadav, D.K.; et al. Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/37739 (accessed on 27 July 2024).
Fahad S,  Chavan SB,  Chichaghare AR,  Uthappa AR,  Kumar M,  Kakade V, et al. Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/37739. Accessed July 27, 2024.
Fahad, Shah, Sangram Bhanudas Chavan, Akash Ravindra Chichaghare, Appanderanda Ramani Uthappa, Manish Kumar, Vijaysinha Kakade, Aliza Pradhan, Dinesh Jinger, Gauri Rawale, Dinesh Kumar Yadav, et al. "Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/37739 (accessed July 27, 2024).
Fahad, S.,  Chavan, S.B.,  Chichaghare, A.R.,  Uthappa, A.R.,  Kumar, M.,  Kakade, V.,  Pradhan, A.,  Jinger, D.,  Rawale, G.,  Yadav, D.K.,  Kumar, V.,  Farooq, T.H.,  Ali, B.,  Sawant, A.V.,  Saud, S.,  Chen, S., & Poczai, P. (2022, December 02). Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/37739
Fahad, Shah, et al. "Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement." Encyclopedia. Web. 02 December, 2022.
Management of Agroforestry for Soil Improvement
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This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/su142214877

Agroforestry integrates woody perennials with arable crops, livestock, or fodder in the same piece of land, promoting the more efficient utilization of resources as compared to monocropping via the structural and functional diversification of components. This integration of trees provides various soil-related ecological services such as fertility enhancements and improvements in soil physical, biological, and chemical properties, along with food, wood, and fodder. 

agroforestry soil health land degradation microclimate soil fertility

1. Species Selection and Density

Trees trap more sand dust than shrubs due to their larger canopies and dense foliage. As a result, the soil beneath trees is likely to be more nutrient-dense than that beneath shrubs. Thus, trees should be favored over shrubs for soil improvement. Augustine et al. [1] suggested that an increase in SOM in agroforestry systems after three years of planting Gliricidia improved the soil’s nutrients and its ability to support agriculture, but not enough for sustainable production, as this technology alone did not offer enough soil cover to decrease erosion and should be used in conjunction with further management initiatives to lower erosion rates. Additionally, farm management operations such as thinning, trimming, and mulching should be carried out [2]. Wartenberg et al. [3] reported that a rise in tree diversity in complex agroforestry significantly boosted the soil organic carbon at the topsoil but had little effect on the deeper soil layers. According to Eddy and Yang [4], there were not many more advantages to agroforestry for soil health over monoculture, even when the crop diversification is just doubled. The selection of crop species with niche complementarity roles may be more important to agroforestry than species selection advantages from broad crop diversification. Combining species with various root depths, integrating shade-tolerant species beneath the crowns of the foundational trees, and including nitrogen-fixing species into the mixtures to enhance soil nitrogen provision improves the resource-use efficiency of the system [4]. The selection of species with various root structures may facilitate the partitioning of the soil water intake from different soil levels, resulting in less competition and less water loss via deep percolation. Douglas et al. [5] reported 11–18% greater total soil carbon mass rates in open pastures as compared to pastures with poplar systems, whereas pastures with alder systems were 2–6% greater as compared to open pastures, suggesting a choice of proper and suitable species based on the locality and climate for soil improvement. A study by Diallo et al. [6] indicated that under both F. Albida and P. reticulatum, the soil Na, Ca, P, Mg, P, K, NH4-N, OC, and pH levels were considerably higher as compared to other tree species and open areas, suggesting that F. albida and P. reticulatum are more appropriate trees for planting in FMNR (farmer-managed natural regeneration) agroforestry parklands for the improvement of soil fertility, food, and fodder production than any other shrubs or trees. The role of trees in agroforestry systems is determined by a variety of elements, including the species (rooting depth), size and spacing, soil type, rainfall volume and pattern, and dry season severity [7]. C. africana’s water intake was mostly centered in the top 90 cm but extended down to 130 cm deep during dry seasons. This indicates that the first 40 cm coincided with the active root zone of the coffee [2]. Still, Sarmiento-Soler et al. [2] did not find any water competitiveness between coffee and banana or coffee and C. africana, since the coffee plants’ water usage remained static throughout the systems. Bisht et al. [8] compared a wheat–poplar agroforestry system and sole wheat cropping system in Uttarakhand, India, and proved the role of the agroforestry system in the improvement of soil health against climate-related extremities. In the wheat–poplar agroforestry system, the highest pH, EC, available N, and K levels were observed with the UP-2572 wheat variety, while the highest SOC and available P levels were observed with DBW-711. Another study carried out in semi-arid region of Northwest India by Sirohi and Bangarwa [9] reported that higher available soil N, P, and K levels were observed in a 5 m × 4 m geometry than in 10 m × 2 m and 18 m × 2 m × 2 m geometries (paired row) for 7–8-year poplar-based intercropping. Thus, it was recommended that poplar trees be planted at a spacing of 5 m × 4 m as the most appropriate way to improve the soil fertility via the accumulation of leaf litter in the semi-arid and arid areas of Northwest India. Akpalu et al. [10] found that the existing rates of 1.09 and 2.29 trees of F. albida per ha in parklands in the Sudan Savannah zones and Guinea, respectively, were insufficient for exploring the full potential of F. albida in terms of soil fertility improvements. Thus, there is a need to increase the density on parklands in the Sudan Savannah zones and Guinea to 59 and 37 trees per ha, respectively, to fully achieve fertility improvements among resource-poor farmers, which could add about 100, 3.45, 4.63, and 1698.37 kg ha−1 of N, P, K, and OC, respectively, to the soil per year. However, the study by Wu et al. [11] in China warned that in rubber agroforestry, the dense planting of herb species should be avoided, since an increase in the species composition can negatively influence the soil moisture owing to increases in root pores and organic matter, increasing the infiltration and resulting in increased leaching. Such complex, climate-smart, and productive agroforestry systems need robust site- and species-specific knowledge in order to increase their climate resilience [12]. When wheat intercropped with deciduous poplar tree rows was arranged in the north–south and east–west directions in Haryana, higher tree diameter and height growth values were reported in the north–south-oriented tree rows [13]. The windbreak’s orientation and the tree spacing can enhance the system’s microclimate and ecosystem services, leading to increased production and financial gains in the semi-arid areas of India [13].

2. Nutrient Management and Fertilizer Application

In agroforestry, the judicious use of appropriate combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers promotes soil mineralization and N availability. Kumar et al. [14] reported that the application of FYM @ 10 Mg ha–1 + a recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (NPK) effectively stimulates C mineralization in Terminalia chebula-based agroforest in the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Thus, the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers should be encouraged in order to improve the C mineralization and inorganic N pools, which can lead to enhanced nutrient availability to plants and higher crop productivity [14]. Another study by Kannur et al. [15] found that the integrated application of FYM, Azotobacter, and PSB on Capsicum frutescens under a 2-year-old rubber plantation proved to be better in terms of improving the physical and chemical soil properties under an agroforestry system. Akpalu et al. [10] recommended that it would be financially reasonable to combine an inorganic P source with the organic material in the management of F. albida parklands in Ghana because the tree leaf biomass typically contains a higher N/P ratio than that required by the crops, while the P may become deficient in an attempt to supply N via F. albida leaf litter application. Manson et al. [16] found lower pH levels in coffee farms using agrochemicals and farms dominated by Eucalyptus trees in West Java. Thus, planting native fruit tree species rather than eucalyptus trees as shade trees for coffee plants with the application of organic manure or liming is recommended.
Although higher SOM levels, soil C stocks, total C pools, and total N levels were reported under the coffee–banana system than banana sole cropping in central Uganda, precautions to avoid P depletion should be taken, as under both farming systems the available P levels were limited [17]. Zake et al. [17] suggested the application of well-composted manure @ 20 Mg ha–1 per year to solve the soil P limitations. The integration of livestock into their farming systems might be beneficial. The age of the trees, the crown morphology, the phytochemical composition of the litter and its nutrient content, and the root turnover rate determine the improvements in soil properties. Because of the low tannin contents in their leaves, F. albida and P. Reticulatum decompose more quickly and release more soil nutrients [18]. The potential for agroforestry to restore the land via ‘internal restoration’ may depend on local circumstances; thus, the proof is inconsistent and inconclusive [19].
The agroforestry ecosystem’s soil nutrients would be better managed if the soil mycorrhizae and soil P were fully taken into account [20]. Negative soil conditions, disease concerns, and increased vulnerability to climatic extremes may all lead to agroforestry systems being the best sustainable alternatives.

References

  1. Augustine, C.M.J.; Vogt, K.A.; Harrison, R.B.; Hunsaker, H.M. Nitrogen-fixing trees in small-scale agriculture of mountainous southeast Guatemala: Effects on soil quality and erosion control. J. Sustain. For. 2007, 23, 61–80.
  2. Sarmiento-Soler, A.; Vaast, P.; Hoffmann, M.P.; Rötter, R.P.; Jassogne, L.; Van Asten, P.J.; Graefe, S. Water use of Coffea arabica in open versus shaded systems under smallholder’s farm conditions in Eastern Uganda. Agric. For. Meteor. 2019, 266, 231–242.
  3. Wartenberg, A.C.; Blaser, W.J.; Roshetko, J.; Van’Noordwijk, M.; Six, J. Soil fertility and Theobroma cacao growth and productivity under commonly intercropped shade-tree species in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Plant Soil 2020, 453, 87–104.
  4. Eddy, W.C.; Yang, W.H. Improvements in soil health and soil carbon sequestration by an agroforestry for food production system. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2022, 333, 107945.
  5. Douglas, G.; Mackay, A.; Vibart, R.; Dodd, M.; McIvor, I.; McKenzie, C. Soil carbon stocks under grazed pasture and pasture-tree systems. Sci. Total Environ. 2020, 715, 136910.
  6. Diallo, M.B.; Irénikatché, A.P.B.; Dougbédji, F.; Tougiani, A.; Euloge, K.A. Long-term differential effects of tree species on soil nutrients and fertility improvement in agroforestry parklands of the Sahelian Niger. For. Trees Livelihoods 2019, 28, 240–252.
  7. Padovan, M.D.P.; Brook, R.M.; Barrios, M.; Cruz-Castillo, J.B.; Vilchez-Mendoza, S.J.; Costa, A.N.; Rapidel, B. Water loss by transpiration and soil evaporation in coffee shaded by Tabebuia rosea Bertol. and Simarouba glauca dc. compared to unshaded coffee in sub-optimal environmental conditions. Agric. For. Meteor. 2018, 248, 1–14.
  8. Bisht, N.; Sah, V.K.; Satyawali, K.; Tiwari, S. Comparison of wheat yield and soil properties under open and poplar based agroforestry system. J. Appl. Nat. Sci. 2017, 9, 1540–1543.
  9. Sirohi, C.; Bangarwa, K.S. Effect of different spacings of poplar-based agroforestry system on soil chemical properties and nutrient status in Haryana, India. Curr. Sci. 2017, 113, 1403–1407.
  10. Akpalu, S.E.; Dawoe, E.K.; Abunyewa, A.A. Effects of Faidherbia albida on some important soil fertility indicators on agroforestry parklands in the semi-arid zone of Ghana. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 2020, 15, 256–268.
  11. Wu, J.; Zeng, H.; Zhao, F.; Chen, C.; Liu, W.; Yang, B.; Zhang, W. Recognizing the role of plant species composition in the modification of soil nutrients and water in rubber agroforestry systems. Sci. Total. Environ. 2020, 723, 138042.
  12. Bai, W.; Sun, Z.; Zheng, J.; Du, G.; Feng, L.; Cai, Q.; Yang, N.; Feng, C.; Zhang, Z.; Evers, J.B.; et al. Mixing trees and crops increases land and water use efficiencies in a semi-arid area. Agric. Water Manag. 2016, 178, 281–290.
  13. Sirohi, C.; Bangarwa, K.S.; Dhillon, R.S.; Chavan, S.B.; Handa, A.K. Productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil fertility with poplar (Populus deltoides) agroforestry system in the semi-arid ecosystem of Haryana, India. Curr. Sci. 2022, 122, 1072.
  14. Kumar, A.; Dwivedi, G.K.; Tewari, S.; Paul, J.; Anand, R.; Kumar, N.; Kumar, P.; Singh, H.; Kaushal, R. Carbon mineralization and inorganic nitrogen pools under Terminalia chebula retz.-based agroforestry system in Himalayan foothills, India. For. Sci. 2020, 66, 634–643.
  15. Kannur, S.; Patil, S.J.; Inamati, S.S. Dynamics of soil properties as influenced by rubber based agroforestry system in hilly zone of Karnataka. Indian J. Agrofor. 2020, 22, 64–73.
  16. Manson, S.; Nekaris, K.A.I.; Rendell, A.; Budiadi, B.; Imron, M.A.; Campera, M. Agrochemicals and Shade Complexity Affect Soil Quality in Coffee Home Gardens. Earth 2022, 3, 853–865.
  17. Zake, J.; Pietsch, S.A.; Friedel, J.K.; Zechmeister-Boltensternm, S. Can agroforestry improve soil fertility and carbon storage in smallholder banana farming systems? J. Plant Nutr. Soil Sci. 2015, 178, 237–249.
  18. Temitope, O.O.; Thonda, O.A. Comparative study of the antibacterial and antifungal spectrum, phytochemical screening and antioxidant potentials of Alchornea laxiofolia and Piliostigma reticulatum leaf on pathogenic isolates. Pharma. Chemic. J. 2016, 3, 1–11.
  19. Saputra, D.D.; Sari, R.R.; Hairiah, K.; Roshetko, J.M.; Suprayogo, D.; Van Noordwijk, M. Can cocoa agroforestry restore degraded soil structure following conversion from forest to agricultural use? Agrofor. Syst. 2020, 94, 2261–2276.
  20. Zhu, M.; Cao, X.; Guo, Y.; Shi, S.; Wang, W.; Wang, H. Soil P components and soil fungi community traits in poplar shelterbelts and neighboring farmlands in northeastern China: Total alterations and complex associations. Catena 2022, 218, 106531.
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Subjects: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Contributors MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :
Shah Fahad
,
Sangram Bhanudas Chavan
,
Akash Ravindra Chichaghare
,
Appanderanda Ramani Uthappa
,
Manish Kumar
,
Vijaysinha Kakade
,
Aliza Pradhan
,
Dinesh Jinger
,
Gauri Rawale
,
Dinesh Kumar Yadav
,
Vikas Kumar
,
Taimoor Hassan Farooq
,
Baber Ali
,
Akshay Vijay Sawant
,
Shah Saud
,
Shouyue Chen
,
Peter Poczai
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Revisions: 2 times (View History)
Update Date: 06 Dec 2022
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