Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluating Alnus acuminata as a component in agroforestry systems

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The combination of alder (Alnus acuminata H.B.K.) with pastures, mainly Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyu grass) and P. Purpureum (elephant grass) is a traditional practice in Costa Rican dairy highlands (between 1300–2500 masl). People believe that the pasture grows greener under the trees [Combe, 1979]. Alder is not only advantageous for fodder production but also for fuelwood and timber. It produces an additional source of income to the small farmer.

The potential area for this association was first estimated in 60,000 ha [Combe, 1979], but more recent estimations give figures of around 50,000 ha, including one third of this area in pastures already planted with alder [Canet, 1985]. The question of whether the species may have potential for use in agroforestry systems in countries other than Costa Rica and research needs for the species are also discussed.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alvarez Valle H (1956) Estudio forestal del ‘jaúl’ (Alnus jorullensis H.B.K.) en Costa Rica. M Agr Thesis, IICA Turrialba, Costa Rica, 95 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwens H (1943) Investigations of the symbiosis of Alnus glutinosa, Alnus Glutinosa, Alnus incana and Hypophae rhamnoides. A von Leeuwenhoeck, Jour Microbiol Serol 9(3/4): 107–114. (Abs/Biological Abstracts 20(19403): 2055. 1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs DG and Bethel JS (1978) The potential for integrated utilization of alder. In: DG Brigg, DS DeBell and WH Atkinson comps. Proceedings of the Red Alder Conference. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. pp. 163–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Budowski G (1983) An attempt to quantify some current agroforestry practices in Costa Rica. In: Huxley PA ed. Plant Research in Agroforestry. Nairobi, Kenya, ICRAF. pp 43–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Canet GC (1985) Caracteristicas del sistema silvo-pastoril jaul (Alnus acuminata) con lecheria de altura en Costa Rica. In: R Salazar ed. Técnicas de producción de leña en fincas pequeñas. Actas de los simposios. CATIE, Turrialba, 24–28 de junio, 1985. pp 241–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson PH and Dawson JO (1985) Soil nitrogen changes, early growth, and response to soil internal drainage of a plantation of Alnus jorullensisin the Colombian highlands. Turrialba 35(2): 141–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Combe J (1979) Alnus acuminata with grazing and mowing pastures: Las Nubes de Coronado, Costa Rica. In Workshop Agroforestry Systems in Latin America, Turrialba, Costa Rica. March 1979. Proceedings. Edited by G De las Salas. Turrialba, Costa Rica. pp 199–204

  • Combe J (1981) Combinaciones silvopastoriles en zonas lecheras de altura de Costa Rica: Las Nubes de Coronado. In: Simposio Internacional sobre las Ciencias Forestales y su Contribucion al Desarrollo de la América Tropical. Editado por M Chavarría. San Jose, Costa Rica. CONICIT-INTERCIENCIA-SCITEC. pp 187–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JO (1986) Actinorhizal plants: their use in forestry and agriculture. Outlook on Agriculture 15(4): 202–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Fournier LA (1979) Alder crops (Alnus jorullensis) in coffee plantations: in Costa Rica. In: Workshop Agroforestry Systems in Latin America, Turriabla, Costa Rica. March 1979. Proceedings. Edited by G De las salas. Turriabla, Costa Rica. pp 199–204

  • Furlow JJ (1977) Betulaceae: In: Burger, W. Flora Cost icensis. Fieldiana: Botany 40: 56–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Furlow JJ (1979) The systematics of the American species of Alnus (Betulaceae). Rhodora 81(825): 1–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Glavac VV (1972) Uber Höhenwuchsleistung und Wachstumsoptimum der Schwarzele auf vergleichbaren Standorten in Nord-, Mittel- und Südeuropa. JD Seurländers Verlag, Frankfurt. 61 p. (Summary in English)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez Meza R (1970) Relacion entre el peso especifico y algunas propiedades mecánicas del Alnus jorullensis HBK MSc Thesis IICA, Turrialba, Costa Rica. 107 p

  • Gordon JC (1978) Biological components of alder yield improvement. In: DG Brigg, DS DeBell and WH Atkinson comps. Proceedings of the Red Alder Conference. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. pp 321–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon JC and Hall R (1978) Alder research outside the Northwest: a brief overview. In: DG Brigg, DS DeBell and WH Atkinson comps. Proceedings of the Red Alder Conference. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. pp 45–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon JC and Dawson JO (1979) Potential use of nitrogen-fixing trees and shrubs in commercial forestry. Botanical Gazette 140(Suppl): S88-S90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez EE, Murillo O and Camacho P (1987) Algunos aspecto sepidométricos del jaúl (Alnus acuminata (HBK) O. Ktze) en Costa Rica. Turrialba 37(1): 105–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall RB, McNabb Jr. HS, Maynard CA and Green TL (1979) Toward development of optimal Alnus glutinosa symbioses. Botanical Gazette 140(Suppl): S120–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdridge LR (1951) The alder, Alnus acuminata, as a farm timber tree in Costa Rica. Caribbean Forester 12(2): 47–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt IS (1965) Las propiedades y usos de la madera de Alnus. Boletín del Instituto Forestal Latinoamericano 23: 29–42

    Google Scholar 

  • IEA Bioenergy (1987) Annual Report. Programme of Research, Development and Demonstration on Bioenergy. National Energy Administration, Stockholm, Sweden, pp 7–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Lie TA, Akkermans ADL and Egerat AWS van (1984) Natural variation in symbiotic nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium and Frankia. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: 50: 489–503

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mackintosh AH and Bond G (1970) Diversity in the nodular endophytes of Aldus and Myrica. Phyton 27(1): 79–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikola P (1975) Afforestation of bogs after industrial exploitation of peat. Silva Fenn. 9(2): 101–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Murai S (1964) Phytotaxonomical and geobotanical studies on genus Alnus in Japan. III. Taxonomy of whole world species and distribution of each section. Govt For Stn Bull (Japan) 171: 1–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Murillo G, Camacho MOP y Rojas RF (1985) Analisis de plantaciones jóvenes de jaúl Alnus acuminata (HBK) O. Ktze., como una opción para el suministro de leña. In: R Salazar ed. Tecnicas de producción de leña en fincas pequeñas. Actas de los simposios. CATIE, Turrialba, 24–28 de junio, 1985. pp 301–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohjonen V (1974) Effect of spacing on the first year yield and height increment in some species undergoing short rotation culture. Silva Fenn 8(2): 115–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Barrueco C (1966) Fixation of nitrogen in root nodules of Alnus jorullensis HBK. Phyton 23(2): 103–110

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russo RO (1989) Evaluating Alnus acuminata-Frankia-mycorrhizae interactions. I Acetylene reduction in seedlings inoculated with Frankia strain Ar13 and Glomus intra-radices under three different phosphorus levels. Plant and Soil 118: 151–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sicco Smit G (1971) Notas silviculturales sobre Alnus jorullensis de Caldas, Colombia. Turrialba 21: 83–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer R and Gomez LD (1984) The basidiomycetes of Costa Rica. III. The genus Phylloporus (Boletaceae). Brenesia (Costa Rica) 22: 163–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Stettler RF (1978) Biological aspects of red alder pertinent to potential breeding programs. In: DG Brigg, DS DeBell and WH Atkinson comps. Proceedings of the Red Alder Conference. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. pp 209–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Stubblefield G and Oliver CD (1978) Silvicultural implications of the reconstruction of mixed alder/conifer stands. In: DG Brigg, DS DeBell and WH Atkinson comps. Proceedings of the Red Alder Conference. Pacific Nortwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. pp 307–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrant RF and Trappe JM (1971) The role of Alnus in improving the forest environment. Plant and Soil Special vol: 335–348

  • Voigt GK and Steucek GL (1969) Nitrogen distribution and accretion in alder ecosystem. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 33(6): 946–949

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 06511, New Haven, CT, USA

    Ricardo O. Russo

Authors
  1. Ricardo O. Russo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Russo, R.O. Evaluating Alnus acuminata as a component in agroforestry systems. Agroforest Syst 10, 241–252 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122914

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122914

Keywords

Search

Navigation