Impacts of Shade Trees on the Adjacent Cacao Rhizosphere in a Young Diversified Agroforestry System

Cacao agroforestry systems offer the potential to diversify farmer income sources, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon, and deliver other important ecosystem services. To date, however, studies have emphasized field- and system-scale outcomes of shade tree integration, and potential impacts on the rhizosphere of adjacent cacao trees have not been fully characterized. Interactions at the root–soil interface are closely linked to plant health and productivity, making it important to understand how diverse shade tree species may affect soil fertility and microbial communities in the cacao rhizosphere. We assessed the impacts of neighboring shade tree presence and identity on cacao yields and physical, chemical, and biological components of the cacao rhizosphere in a recently established diversified agroforestry system in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Stepwise regression revealed surprising and strong impacts of microbial diversity and community composition on cacao yields and pod infection rates. The presence of neighboring shade trees increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH in the rhizosphere of nearby cacao trees without yield losses. Over a longer time horizon, these increases in rhizosphere soil fertility will likely increase cacao productivity and shape microbial communities, as regression models showed nitrogen and phosphorus in particular to be important predictors of cacao yields and microbiome diversity and composition. However, neither presence nor identity of shade trees directly affected microbial diversity, community composition, or field-scale distance-decay relationships at this early stage of establishment. These results highlight locally specific benefits of shade trees in this agroecological context and emphasize the rhizosphere as a key link in indirect impacts of shade trees on cacao health and productivity in diversified systems.

Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities Response Differently to Bombax Ceiba (Malvaceae) in a Traditional Agroforestry System

Background Agroforestry system is one of promising directions for developing sustainable agriculture because the intercropping of crops and trees may facilitate resource cycling and avoid soil degradation. Bombax ceiba (Malvaceae), a tall tree with red flowers blooming in Spring, is traditionally planted in rice paddies in tropical Asia, while the roles of B. ceiba in the agroecosystem remain unexplored.Methods In this paper, we investigated and assessed spatiotemporal variations of soil nutrient contents and soil bacterial and fungal communities along the distance gradients to B. ceiba during three reproductive stages of rice, i.e. booting, heading, mature, in a typical Bombax-dominated rice paddy on Hainan Island, South China.Results B. ceiba in rice paddy could improve the soil nutrient conditions, particularly available K and soil organic carbons. The relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Ascomycota increased while Actinobacteria decreased along the distance gradient to B. ceiba. In addition, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was highest at harvesting stage of rice, while Acidobacteria was richer in the early reproductive stage of rice. Soil potassium content was the principal driver in shaping soil bacterial diversity and composition, while fungal community was mainly affected by soil nitrogen.Conclusions Our results provide evidences for positive influences of B. ceiba on biotic and abiotic traits of rice paddy soils and thus lend supports to the ecological basis of this tropical Asian endemic traditional Agroforestry system, which could increase resource cycling and paddy stability and have the potential to reduce carbon emission.

A study of composition and diversity variation of avifauna along with different types of agroforestry system in Kibet town, Southern Ethiopia

Background Agroforestry is an integrated land-use system that plays a great role in the conservation of landscape biodiversity. The study aimed to assess the composition and diversity of avian species along with different habitat types of agroforestry in Kibet Town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods Four habitat types of agroforestry system which are home gardens, live fences, parkland, and eucalyptus woodlot were identified. Line transects were used for bird surveys. The Shannon diversity index (H′) and species evenness index (E) were used to compare diversity among habitat types. A similarity percentages (SIMPER) test was carried out to identify the main species and feeding guild that typified each habitat type. The overall significance was assessed with the ANOSIM test using PAST (version 4.03). Results A total of 50 bird species belonging to 28 families and 10 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes (67.3%) had the highest number of species. Bird community composition differed among habitat types. The dissimilarity was mainly due to White-browed robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini), Streaky seed-eater (Serinus striolatus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), African Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis), and Black-Headed Paradise Flycatcher (T. rufiventer). The finding also revealed that insectivore was the dominant feeding guild. Conclusions The present study shows evidence that more insectivore bird species use different types of agroforestry as habitat and foraging sites. So, any concerned bodies who have engaged in avian conservation should give special consideration to this modified landscape.

Pecan agroforestry systems improve soil quality by stimulating enzyme activity

Background Forest and plantation intercropping are efficient agroforestry systems that optimize land use and promote agroforestry around the world. However, diverse agroforestry systems on the same upper-plantation differently affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Methods The treatments for this study included a single cultivation (CK) pecan control and three agroforestry systems (pecan + Paeonia suffruticosa + Hemerocallis citrina, pecan + Paeonia suffruticosa, and pecan + Paeonia lactiflora). Soil samples were categorized according to the sampling depth (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, 40–60 cm). Results The results demonstrated that the bulk density (BD) of soil under the pecan agroforestry system (PPH and PPL) was reduced by 16.13% and 7.10%, respectively, and the soil moisture content (MC) and total soil porosity (TPO) increased. Improvements in the physical properties of the soil under the PPS agroforestry system were not obvious when compared with the pecan monoculture. The soil total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AK), and total carbon (TC) increased significantly, while the soil urease (S-UE), alkaline phosphatase (S-AKP), and 1,4-β-N-acetylglucosamines (S-NAG) enzyme activity also increased significantly, following agroforestry. Overall, the pecan agroforestry system significantly improved the physical properties of the pecan plantation soil, enriched the soil nutrients, and increased the activity of soil enzymes related to TC, TN, and TP cycles.

Agroforestry: Opportunities and Challenges in Timor-Leste

Agro forestry is a land management system that integrates trees, agriculture crops, and animal farming in order to provide a diverse range of ecosystem services. Timor-Leste, the newest country and one of the least developed counties, has faced multidimensional challenges on land use management, including deforestation, land degradation, and poverty. The agroforestry system is recognized as one of the viable options for balancing the socio-economic needs and ecological functions of the lands in Timor-Leste. The system has been practiced traditionally by farmers in the country; however, the lack of knowledge and experience, limited institutional capacity, and lack of funding have impeded the wider implantation of the agroforestry system in Timor-Leste. The Strategic Development Plan of Timor-Leste has recommended sustainable agriculture and natural resources management in the rural areas of the country to generate income and create employment for the youths. The paper presents the initiatives, challenges, and opportunities of agroforestry application in Timor-Leste to support sustainable forest management and livelihood improvement. Learning from existing initiatives, capacity building, market access, and financial incentives could promote the agroforestry system in the country.

Wind Erosion, Climate Change, and Shelterbelts

Wind erosion is a widespread phenomenon causing serious soil degradation. It is estimated that about 28% of the global land area suffers from this process. Global climate changes are expected to accelerate land degradation and significantly affect the intensity of wind erosion. Shelterbelts are linear multi-row planting strips of vegetation (trees or shrubs) established for numerous environmental purposes. Shelterbelts are a specific type of agroforestry system which could reduce soil degradation (soil erosion). Shelterbelts mitigate greenhouse gas through trees storing carbon (C) in their above- and below-ground biomass, wherefore they are highlighted as one of the potential ways to mitigate climate change. The purpose of this chapter is to present wind erosion as a land degradation problem, especially in line with climate changes and the present concept of vegetation establishment in the form of shelterbelts for long-term multi-functional provision of ecosystem services, in particular carbon sequestration.

Growth and yields of two varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with peanut (Arachys hypogaea L.) applied by bokashi plus fertilizer between the rows of teak trees based agroforestry system

Nutrient shortages are the main problems faced by farmers, so as to improve soil fertility using organic fertilizer is compulsory. The main objective was to analyze the effects of bokashi plus fertilizer on the growth and yields of two varieties of maize intercropped with peanut under three years old teak trees in agroforestry system. The research was arranged in randomized completely block design in factorial pattern with two factors, maize variety: local maize and hybrid corn bisi-2; and bokashi plus fertilizer doses: 0, 3, 6 and 9 t ha-1. Maize growth recorded were plant height, leaf number, stem diameter and leaf area at 2, 4, 6 and 8 WAP and maize yields recorded were cob weight with cornhusk, cob weight without cornhusk, cob length, diameter, row number, 100 seeds dry weight, biomass dry weight, yield and LER. The results showed that interaction between maize variety and bokashi plus fertilizer had significant effect on the growth and yield of maize intercropped with peanut under three years of teak trees in agroforestry system. The best effects of maize growth and yield were obtained at 9 t ha-1 with highest yield of local maize and hybrid maize of 4,69 and 5,79 t ha-1.

PENGELOLAAN HUTAN DESA DI KPH WILAYAH VIII SEMENDO DARI PERSPEKTIF KINERJA KELEMBAGAAN

Muara Danau Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) is a forum on forest management activities that aim to improve community welfare. At present, the condition of the farming business is not effective, so it requires some rules as a measure of success. This study aims to analyze the institution of the Muara Danau Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) in the implementation of Village Forest Management. The research was conducted in Muara Danau Village, Semende Darat Laut Subdistrict, Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra Province, from March to April 2020. Data were analyzed by using the SSBP approach. The results of the study showed the situation of farmers utilizing forest resources in the form of water sources and non-timber forest products. Smallholders manage the forest based on institutional structure stated in the AD/ART, and administrative sanctions. In terms of planting patterns in the arable land, the structure controls farmer behavior by using an agroforestry system. This makes Muara Danau Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) obtain a good performance in the aspect of institutional management which is measured by the involvement of members and institutional administrators in group activities/training (91%) and the types of binding group rules in the form of written rules (AD/ART) as well as unwritten rules (84%) in managing areas measured based on the type of forest resource conservation activity (95%). However, managing businesses have not obtained optimal results, as measured by the absence of institutions that handle the marketing of forest products for groups (cooperatives). Based on the results of the research, the institution of Muara Danau Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) is categorized as good.

Exploring agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal

This paper explores the status of agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal. Field survey, semi-structured interview and focus group discussions with the local farmers and stakeholders were conducted to explore the status of the agroforestry system and practices. The study covers forty-three districts, and represents agroforestry systems and practices in the Terai and hill regions of Nepal. Altogether, twelve agroforestry systems and forty-three agroforestry practices were documented in the Terai and hills of Nepal- ten systems in the Terai and seven systems in the hills. Agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrosilvopastoral, agrohortosilvopastoral, homegarden, hortiagriculture, silvofishery, agrosilvifishery, hortisilviculture and apiculture were the major agroforestry systems adopted in the Terai whereas those adopted in the hills included hortiagriculture, agrisilviculture, agrisilvihorticulture, agrosilvopastoral, homegarden, hortosilvipastoral and silvopastoral. The study revealed a gradual emerging scenario of commercial agroforestry systems in these regions although the continuation of traditional agroforestry systems was observed in most of the Terai and hill regions. Insufficient labour availability, fragmentation of land, market price fluctuation, lack of technical knowledge, and wild animal disturbances were some of the major challenges observed in the Terai and hills of Nepal.