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Dynamics of nitrogen in a shaded cacao plantation

Dinamica del nitrógeno en un cacaotal bajo sombra

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Abstract

Studies of nitrogen mineralization and leaching were conducted in the cacao-growing region in the south of Bahia, Brazil, on plots fertilized with N, P and K and on plots without fertilizer in plantations 30–40 yrs old on CEPEC soil (Tropudalf) over a period of one year. Mini-lysimeters were installed at depths of 10, 20 and 40 cm and the leachate was collected weekly or after heavy rain. Net mineralization was measured in soil samples taken at depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm and incubated for 30 days in plastic bags placed at the site of collection.

The degree of leaching was correlated with the amount of rainfall and, although it is difficult to quantify the losses per unit area, we estimate that these losses are minor. Ammonification and nitrification were both high during most of the year; nitrification was very rapid and was especially intensive on the fertilized area. Analyses of Erythrina and cacao litter show that these components make a considerable contribution to the nitrogen recycled in a cacao plantation. High concentrations of total nitrogen were detected in soil samples taken close to shade trees and, on average, the soil of shaded areas had more than 480 mg N kg soil−1 than soil of non-shaded areas. Removal of nitrogen in harvest can also be considerable. It is advisable to take nitrogen-cycle data into account when compiling tables of fertilizer recommendations.

Resumen

Se realizaron investigaciones sobre la mineralización y la lixiviación de nitrógeno en parcelas fertilizadas con N, P y K y en parcelas sin fertilizar en plantaciones de cacao de 30 años en la región sur de Bahia, Brasil. Los suelos del cacaotal eran CEPEC (Tropudalf), comunes en la zona. Las mediciones se realizaron durante un año. Se instalaron minilisimetros a 10, 20 y 40 cm de profundidad y se colectó el agua lixiviada semanalmente o después de intensas lluvias. La mineralización neta se midió en muestras de suelo tomadas a 0–5 y 5–15 cm de profundidad colocadas nuevamente en bolsas plásticas en el sitio de colecta. El grado de lixiviación se correlacionó con la cantidad de precipitación y aun cuando no es posible cuantificar las pérdidas por unidad de área, se estimó que estas pérdidas eran de menor cuantia. Tanto la tasa de amonificación como la de nitrificación fueron altas durante la mayor parte del año; la nitrificación fué particularmente intensa en el área fertilizada. Los análisis de la hojarasca fresca de Erythrina y de los cacaoteros mostraron que estos componentes contribuyen notablemente al ciclo del nitrógeno en la plantación de cacao. Se detectaron altas concentraciones de nitrógeno en muestras de suelo tomadas cerca de los árboles de sombra; en promedio los suelos de la zona sombreada contenian 480 mg N kg−1 suelo por encima del promedio de los suelos en plantaciones sin sombra. La cantidad de nitrógeno exportado por cosecha es notable. Se recomienda tomar en consideración la información procedente de los ciclos de nitrógeno para formular recomendaciones de fertilización.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau, CEPLAC, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil

    M. B. M. Santana & P. Cabala-Rosand

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  1. M. B. M. Santana
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  2. P. Cabala-Rosand
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Santana, M.B.M., Cabala-Rosand, P. Dynamics of nitrogen in a shaded cacao plantation. Plant Soil 67, 271–281 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182774

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