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Soil quality differences in a row-crop watershed with agroforestry and grass buffers

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Abstract

Agroforestry buffers are believed to enhance soil quality parameters in agricultural landscapes. Soil enzyme activities, water stable aggregates (WSA), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total nitrogen (N) have been identified as good indices of soil quality. The objective of this study was to quantify soil quality differences among agroforestry buffer (AGF), grass waterway (GWW), grass buffer (GB), and row crop (RC) areas and distance from the tree base on corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) watershed. Soil samples from AGF at 0, 30, 60, 90 cm distances from the tree base, and from AGF, GWW, GB, and RC areas were collected from summit, shoulder, and foot-slope landscape positions at the paired watershed study near Novelty, MO. Soil enzyme activity, WSA, soil C, and N were determined and data were analyzed statistically. The highest SOC and N percentages were found in AGF and the lowest in RC. β-Glucosidase activity was not significantly different among AGF, GWW, and RC. β-Glucosaminidase and dehydrogenase activities were significantly lower in RC treatment than all other treatments. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase activity was not significant among all treatments. WSA percentage was significantly higher in GWW and AGF as compared to others. Landscape position was not significantly different for all measured soil quality parameters. β-Glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase activities, WSA, and soil N did not differ significantly with distance from the tree base. SOC and FDA hydrolase activity were significantly lower at the tree base. Results imply that permanent vegetation has improved the soil quality by enhancing soil microbial activity and organic matter accumulation, thereby contribute positively to watershed restoration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Agroforestry, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 203 ABNR Building, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Chathuri Weerasekara, Ranjith P. Udawatta, Shibu Jose & Chamara Weerasekara

  2. Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Ranjith P. Udawatta, Robert J. Kremer & Chamara Weerasekara

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  1. Chathuri Weerasekara
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  2. Ranjith P. Udawatta
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  3. Shibu Jose
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  4. Robert J. Kremer
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  5. Chamara Weerasekara
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Correspondence to Chathuri Weerasekara.

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Weerasekara, C., Udawatta, R.P., Jose, S. et al. Soil quality differences in a row-crop watershed with agroforestry and grass buffers. Agroforest Syst 90, 829–838 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9903-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9903-5

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