Agroforestry systems, nutrients in litter and microbial activity in soils cultivated with coffee at high altitude

Authors

  • Krystal de Alcantara Notaro Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Academic Unit of Garanhuns
  • Erika Valente de Medeiros Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Academic Unit of Garanhuns
  • Gustavo Pereira Duda Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Academic Unit of Garanhuns
  • Aline Oliveira Silva Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Academic Unit of Garanhuns
  • Patrícia Maia de Moura Federal Rural University of Pernambuco; Academic Unit of Garanhuns

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162014000200001

Abstract

Agroforestry systems are an alternative option for sustainable production management. These systems contain trees that absorb nutrients from deeper layers of the soil and leaf litter that help improve the soil quality of the rough terrain in high altitude areas, which are areas extremely susceptible to environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to characterize the stock and nutrients in litter, soil activity and the population of microorganisms in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations under high altitude agroforestry systems in the semi-arid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were collected from the surface litter together with soil samples taken at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) from areas each subject to one of the following four treatments: agroforestry system (AS), native forest (NF), biodynamic system (BS) and coffee control (CT).The coffee plantation had been abandoned for nearly 15 years and, although there had been no management or harvesting, still contained productive coffee plants. The accumulation of litter and mean nutrient content of the litter, the soil nutrient content, microbial biomass carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, basal respiration, microbial quotient, metabolic quotient and microbial populations (total bacteria, fluorescent bacteria group, total fungi and Trichoderma spp.) were all analyzed. The systems thatwere exposed to human intervention (A and BS) differed in their chemical attributes and contained higher levels of nutrients when compared to NF and CT. BS for coffee production at high altitude can be used as a sustainable alternative in the high altitude zones of the semi-arid region in Brazil, which is an area that is highly susceptible to environmental degradation.

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Published

2014-04-01

Issue

Section

Agricultural Microbiology

How to Cite

Agroforestry systems, nutrients in litter and microbial activity in soils cultivated with coffee at high altitude . (2014). Scientia Agricola, 71(2), 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162014000200001