Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Cover plants can contribute on macronutrient accumulation in agroforestry systems during off-season

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are an alternative of land management and landscape restoration, where we can manage cover crops for increasing macronutrient cycling during off-season following harvesting, saving fertilization. However, it is necessary to find out the most effective species to maximize macronutrient cycling and biomass productivity. This study was carried out under a completely randomized design with four repetitions in a stabilized agroforestry system located in Goiânia, Brazil, during 2015 and 2016, among nine years old baru and bark trees. Cover crops were sown in single systems: Pigeon pea (PP); Stylosanthes Campo Grande (ST); Guinea grass (GG); and intercropping systems: PP + GG; and ST + GG. Dry biomass productivity and, plant shoot, and nutrient accumulations (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur) were quantified twice during the growing season. Our results showed that GG was the best alternative as a cover crop to increase biomasss, potassium, magnesium and sulphur cycling in a single system, with 75% and 65% more shoot dry biomass than ST and PP, respectively. GG and ST increased phosphorus and calcium cycling. The low dry biomass productivity of legumes resulted in similar nitrogen accumulation in grasses and leguminous species. The accumulations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and sulphur are similar between GG, ST and the ST + GG consortium. Our findings suggest that GG is the best alternative to increase macronutrient cycling in agroforestry systems, due its greater supply of biomass compensating the higher nutrient content found in legumes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data can be provided by the responsible person upon request.

Abbreviations

N:

Nitrogen

P:

Phosphorus

K+ :

Potassium

Ca2+ :

Calcium

Mg2+ :

Magnesium

S:

Sulfur

C/N:

Carbon/Nitrogen

pH:

Hydrogenionic potential

H + Al:

Potential acidity

Al3+ :

Exchangeable Aluminum

CEC:

Cation exchange capacity

RBD:

Randomized block design

cv:

Cultivar

PP + GG:

Pigeon pea + Guinea grass

ST + GG:

Stylosanthes + Guinea grass

Kg:

Kilogram

Mg:

Megagram

ha:

Hectare

References

  • Alvarenga RC, Cabezas WAL, Cruz JC, Santana DP (2001) Plantas de cobertura de solo para sistema plantio direto. Inf Agrop 208:25–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Calil FN, Lima NL, Silva RT, Moraes M, Barbosa PVG, Lima PAF, Reis Nascimento A (2016) Biomass and nutrition stock of grassland and accumulated litter in a silvopastoral system with Cerrado species. Afr J Agric Res 11(38):3701–3709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castoldi G, Reis JG, Freiberger MB, Santos DC, Rosolem CA (2017) Soil dynamic alterations and use efficiency of nitrogen by Brachiaria species. Austr J Crop Sci 11(9):1221–1227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chioderoli CA et al (2012) Physycal properties of soil and yield of soybeans in corn braquiariaconsortium. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental 16:37–43

  • Collier LS, Kikuchi FY, Benício LPF, Sousa SA (2011) Consórcio e sucessão de milho e feijão-de-porco como alternativa de cultivo sob plantio direto. Pesq Agropec Trop 41(3):306–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collier LS, Arruda EM, Campos LFC, Nunes JNV (2018) Soil chemical attributes and corn productivity grown on legume stubble in agroforestry systems. Rev Caat 31(2):279–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa NR, Andreotti M, Ulian NA, Costa BS, Pariz CM, Teixeira Filho MCM (2015) Acúmulo de nutrientes e tempo de decomposição da palhada de espécies forrageiras em função de épocas de semeadura. Biosci J 31(3):818–829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ćupina B, Vujić S, Krstić D, Radanović Z, Čabilovski R, Manojlović M, Latković D (2017) Winter cover crops as green manure in a temperate region: the effect on nitrogen budget and yield of silage maize. Crop and Pasture Science 68(11):1060–1069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damour G, Guérin C, Dorel M (2016) Leaf area development strategies of cover plants used in banana plantations identified from a set of plant traits. Eur J Agron 74:103–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doneda A, Aita C, Giacomini SJ, Miola ECC, Giacomini DA, Schirmann J, Gonzatto R (2012) Fitomassa e decomposição de resíduos de plantas de cobertura puras e consorciadas. Rev Bras Ci Solo 36:1714–1723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Empresa Brasileira De Pesquisa Agropecuária (2009) Manual de Análises Químicas De Solos, Plantas e Fertilizantes. EMBRAPA Informação Tecnológica, Brasília

    Google Scholar 

  • Empresa Brasileira De Pesquisa Agropecuária (2018) Sistema Brasileiro de classificação de Solos. EMBRAPA Solos, Rio de Janeiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (2011) Manual de Métodos de Análises De Solos. EMBRAPA Solos, Rio de Janeiro

    Google Scholar 

  • Empresa Brasileira De Pesquisa Agropecuária (2000) Estilosantes Campo Grande: estabelecimento, manejo e produção animal. EMBRAPA Gado de Corte, Campo Grande

  • Ensinas SC, Serra AP, Marchetti ME, Silva EF, Lourente ERP, Prado EAF, Conrad VA (2016) Cover crops affect the soil chemical properties under no-till system. Austr J Crop Sci 10(8):1104–1111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ensinas SC, Serra AP, Marchetti ME, Silva EF, Prado EAF, Lourente ERP, Jesus MV (2016) Cover crops affect soil organic matter fractions under no till system. Austr J Crop Sci 10(4):503–512

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2017) Agroforestry for landscape restoration. Exploring the potential of agroforestry to enhance the sustainability and resilience of degraded landscapes. Rome

  • Ferraz-Almeida R, Silva N, Wendling B (2020) How does N mineral fertilizer influence the crop residue N credit? Nitrogen 1:99–110. https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen1020009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira DF (2008) Sisvar: um programa para análises e ensino de estatística. Revista Symp 6:36–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonseca WL, Sousa TO, Santos AS, Oliveira JBS, Pacheco LP et al (2016) Influence of different cover crops on the emergence and development of ‘Digitaria horizontalis’. Aust J Crop Sci 10(9):1244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forte CT, Beutler AN, Galon L, Castoldi GT, Winter FL, Holz CM, Andres A (2018) Soil physical properties and grain yield influenced by cover crops and crop rotation. Amer J Plant Sci 9:584–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guareschi RF, Pereira MG, Perin A (2012) Deposição de resíduos vegetais, matéria orgânica leve, estoques de Carbono e Nitrogênio e Fósforo remanescente sob diferentes sistemas de manejo no cerrado Goiano. Rev Bras Ci Solo 36:909–920. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832012000300021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IBGE Agricultural Census (2017) The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Rio de Janeiro

  • Malaviya DR, Kaushal P, Kumar B (2006) Differential response of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) morphotypes to shade under rainfed conditions. Range Manag Agrofor 27:70–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Marschner P (ed) (2012) Mineral nutrition of higher plants, 3rd edn. Academic Press, London

  • Mhlanga B, Cheesman S, Maasdorp B, Mupangwa W, Thierfelder C (2016) Relay intercropping and mineral fertilizer effects on biomass production, maize productivity and weed dynamics in contrasting soils under conservation agriculture. J Agric Sci 155:876–887. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859616000927

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moda LR, Santos CLR, Flores RA, Borges BMMN, Andrioli I, Prado RM (2014) Resposta do milho cultivado em sistema de plantio direto á aplicação de doses de nitrogênio e cultivo de plantas de cobertura em pré-safra. Biosci J 30:178–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreira JFM, Costa KAP, Severiano EC, Simon GA, Cruvinel WS, Bento JC (2013) Nutrientes em cultivares de Brachiaria brizantha e Estilosantes em cultivo solteiro e consorciado. Arch Zoot 62:513–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira LBT, Santos AC, Oliveira HMR, André TB, Neves DN, Júnior OS (2018) Characteristics and classification of the quality and productive standards of the Mombasa grass under a livestock-forest system or full sun. Semin Cienc Agrar 39:1447–1458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pacheco LP, Leandro WM, Machado PLOA, Assis RL, Cobucci T, Madari BE, Petter FA (2011) Produção de fitomassa e acúmulo e liberação de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura na safrinha. Pesq Agropec Bras 46:17–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pacheco LP, Barbosa JM, Leandro WM, Machado PLOA, Assis RL, Madari BE, Petter FA (2013) Ciclagem de nutrientes por plantas de cobertura e produtividade de soja e arroz em plantio direto. Pesq Agropec Bras 48:1228–1236. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2013000900006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira GAC, Lima LR, Silva JA, Galati RL, Zervoudakis JT, Abreu JG, Jesus LP, Santos VAC, Ceni I, Cabral LS (2016) Dry matter production and chemical composition of Massai grass submitted to nitrogen rates and cutting heights. Semin Cienc Agrar 37:2487–2498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perin A, Santos RHS, Urquiaga S, Guerra JGM, Cecon PR (2004) Produção de fitomassa, acúmulo de nutrientes e fixação biológica de nitrogênio por adubos verdes em cultivo isolado e consorciado. Pesq Agropec Bras 39:35–40. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2004000100005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pissinati A, Moreira A, Santoro PH (2016) Biomass yield and nutrients concentration in shoot dry weight of winter cover crops for no-tillage system. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 47:2292–2305. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2016.1243711

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prado RM Nutrição de Plantas (2008) Editora UNESP, São Paulo

  • Reis AFDB, Almeida REMD, Chagas Junior AF, Nascente AS (2017) Effect of cover crops on soil attributes, plant nutrition, and irrigated tropical rice yield. Rev Caat 30:837–846. https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n403rc

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro KG, Pereira OG (2011) Produtividade de matéria seca e composição mineral do capim tifton 85 sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio e idades de rebrotação. Ci Agrotec 35:811–816

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues MOD, Santos AC, Santos PM, Sousa JTL, Alexandrino E, Santos JGD (2016) Mombasa grass characterization at different heights of grazing in an intercropping system with Babassu and monoculture. Semina Ciências 37:2085–2098

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sá JCM, Séguy L, Tivet F, Lal R et al (2013) Carbon depletion by plowing and its restoration by no-till cropping systems in Oxisols of subtropical and tropical agro-ecoregions in Brazil. Land Degrad Dev Medford 26(6):531–543. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shakibafar Z, Zaefarian F, Rezvani M, Salehian H (2016) Effect of cover crops on maize-velvet leaf competition: leaf area density and light interception. Acta Agric Slov 107(2):409–418. https://doi.org/10.14720/aas.2016.107.2.13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (2014) Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 12th edn. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Sousa DC, Medeiros JC, Rosa JD, Lacerda JJJ, Mafra AL, Mendes WS (2017) Chemical attributes of agricultural soil after the cultivation of cover crops. Austr J Crop Sci 11:1497–1503. https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.17.11.11.pne799

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torres JLR, Pereira MG, Andrioli I, Polidoro JC, Fabian AJ et al (2005) Decomposição e liberação de nitrogênio de resíduos culturais de plantas de cobertura em um solo de Cerrado. Rev Bras Ci Solo 29:609–618. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832005000400013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres JLR, Cunha MA, Pereira MG, Vieira DMS (2014) Cultivo de feijão e milho em sucessão a plantas de cobertura. Rev Caat 27(4):117–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Veras MS, Ramos MLG, Oliveira DNS, Figueiredo CC, Carvalho AM, Pulrolnik K, Souza KW (2016) Cover crops and nitrogen fertilization effects on nitrogen soil fractions under corn cultivation in a no-tillage system. Rev Bras Ci Solo. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657rbcs20150092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wendling B, Jucksch I, Mendonca ES, Almeida RF, Alvarenga RC (2014) Simulação dos estoques de Carbono e Nitrogênio pelo Modelo Century em Latossolos, no Cerrado Brasileiro. Revista Ciência Agronômica 45:238–248 (UFC. Online)

  • Wittwer RA, Dorn B, Jossi W, Van der Heijden MG (2017) Cover crops support ecological intensification of arable cropping systems. Sci Rep 7:41911. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41911

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Xavier FADS, Oliveira JIA, Silva MRD (2017) Decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of shoot phytomass of cover crops in the Recôncavo Baiano. Rev Bras Ci Solo. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657rbcs20160103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zomer RJ, Trabuco A, Place F, Noordwijk M, Xu J (2014) Trees on farms: an update and reanalysis of agroforestry’s global extent and socio-ecological characteristics. Working Paper 179. Bogor, Indonesia: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Southeast Asia Regional Program

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their appreciation the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP—Grant No. 2017/04787-6). The funding body was used for the design of the study and all the analyzes carried out.

Funding

There are currently no Funding Sources in the list.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Science Department, Mato Grosso State University, Av Prof. Dr. Renato Figueiro Varella, s/n, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, CEP 78690-000, Brazil

    Everton Martins Arruda & Leonardo Rodrigues Barros

  2. School of Agriculture, Soil Science Department, Federal University of Goiás, Av Esperança s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, CEP 74 690-900, Brazil

    Leonardo Santos Collier, Rilner Alves Flores, Bruna Bandeira Nascimento, Tiago Camilo Duarte & Carlos Augusto Oliveira Andrade

  3. Department of Biology Applied to Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, CEP 14884900, Brazil

    Kevein Ruas Oliveira

  4. Department of Integrated Plant Protection, Institute of Plant Protection, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly utca, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary

    Kevein Ruas Oliveira

  5. Soil Science Department, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq/USP), University of São Paulo, Avenida Pádua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, São Paulo, CEP 13418-900, Brazil

    Risely Ferraz-Almeida

  6. Soil Science Department, Fazenda Santa Bárbara, Federal Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campus Nova Andradina, Rodovia MS-473, Rural Zone - km 23, Nova Andradina, Mato Grosso do Sul, CEP 79750000, Brazil

    Marcos Paulo Santos

Authors
  1. Everton Martins Arruda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leonardo Santos Collier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kevein Ruas Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rilner Alves Flores
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Leonardo Rodrigues Barros
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Risely Ferraz-Almeida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Bruna Bandeira Nascimento
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Marcos Paulo Santos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Tiago Camilo Duarte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Carlos Augusto Oliveira Andrade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

EMA conceived and designed the research. EMA, LSC, BBN, CAOA and TCD conducted experiments. LRB contributed with analytical tools. EMA, KRO, and RFA analyzed the data. KRO, MPS, RFA and LSC wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevein Ruas Oliveira.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest related to funding or otherwise.

Ethical approval

As no human or mammalian subjects were involved in this research, no ethical approval was required.

Consent to participate

The authors consent to participate.

Consent for publication

All authors consent to publication.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Arruda, E.M., Collier, L.S., Oliveira, K.R. et al. Cover plants can contribute on macronutrient accumulation in agroforestry systems during off-season. Agroforest Syst 97, 1087–1096 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00849-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00849-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation