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Decomposition and nutrient release in leaves of Atlantic Rainforest tree species used in agroforestry systems

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Abstract

Aiming to support the use of native species from the Atlantic Rainforest in local agroforestry systems, we analysed chemical and biochemical components related to leaf decomposition of Inga subnuda, Senna macranthera, Erythrina verna, Luehea grandiflora, Zeyheria tuberculosa, Aegiphila sellowiana, and Persea americana. These tree species are native (except for P. americana) and commonly used in agroforestry systems in the Atlantic Rainforest. For the three first species (Fabaceae), we also analysed the remaining dry matter and released nutrients from leaves, using litter bags, and biological nitrogen fixation, using Bidens pilosa and Brachiaria plantaginea as references of non-N2-fixing plants. Leaves from I. subnuda, L. grandiflora, and P. americana had a lower decomposition rate than the other species, exhibiting negative correlations with lignin/N and (lignin+polyphenol)/N ratios. The percentages of remaining dry matter after 1 year were 69 % (I. subnuda), 26 % (S. macranthera) and 16 % (E. verna). Higher nutrient release was found in decreasing order from residues of E. verna, S. macranthera, and I. subnuda. The percentages of nitrogen fixation were 22.6 % (E. verna), 20.6 % (I. subnuda) and 16.6 % (S. macranthera). Diversification of tree species in agroforestry systems allows for input of diversified organic material and can contribute to maintaining and improving soil functions resulting in improvements of soil quality.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Center of Alternative Technologies (CTA), the farmers and their organizations for the work in partnership, the Brazilian sponsors FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais), CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior), CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) for financial support and scholarships for E.M.G. Duarte, M.A.F·C. Mendonça, M.S. Coelho and E.M.A. Villani, and Arne Janssen for useful comments and corrections on an earlier version of this paper. Constructive comments by two anonymous referees on an earlier version are also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Science Department, Federal University of Viçosa, Avenida P. H. Rolfs, s/n, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, 36570-000, Brazil

    Edivânia M. G. Duarte, Irene M. Cardoso, Maria Alice F. C. Mendonça, Marino S. Coelho, Reinaldo B. Cantarutti, Ecila M. A. Villani & Eduardo S. Mendonça

  2. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Campus Muriaé, Avenida Monteiro de Castro, 550-Bairro Barra, Muriaé, Minas Gerais, 36880-000, Brazil

    Edivânia M. G. Duarte

  3. Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Thomas Stijnen & Thomas W. Kuyper

  4. Federal University of Rio, Grande Do Sul Av Paulo Gama, 110, Bairro Farroupilha, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90040-060, Brazil

    Maria Alice F. C. Mendonça

  5. Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/nº, PO Box 16, Guararema, Alegre, Espírito Santo, 29500-000, Brazil

    Eduardo S. Mendonça

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  1. Edivânia M. G. Duarte
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  2. Irene M. Cardoso
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  3. Thomas Stijnen
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  4. Maria Alice F. C. Mendonça
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Correspondence to Irene M. Cardoso.

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Duarte, E.M.G., Cardoso, I.M., Stijnen, T. et al. Decomposition and nutrient release in leaves of Atlantic Rainforest tree species used in agroforestry systems. Agroforest Syst 87, 835–847 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-013-9600-6

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