Soil characteristics under legume and non-legume tree canopies in signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens) pastures Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Tree canopies can change soil environments. Our study looked at soils 10%, 50%, 100% and 150% the distance from tree trunk to canopy edge of leguminous sabi (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) and espinheiro (Machaerium aculeatum Raddi) and non-legume cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.) and jaqueira (Artocarpus integrifolia L.) in a signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf) pasture. Composite soil samples were collected from the 0 to 10 cm soil layer. Clay concentration increased (P 0.05) with distance from tree trunk to full sunlight, whereas CO2 emission, phosphorus, and organic matter from soil collected under tree canopies were inversely proportional (P 0.05) to distance from the tree trunk. Soil under the canopy of espinheiro had greater (P 0.05) concentrations of exchangeable cations than the non-legume trees. Pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke] grown in soils collected under tree canopies had 24% greater (P 0.05) dry matter (DM) yields than those grown in full sunlight. Soil collected under cajueiro grew 100% greater (P 0.05) pearl millet DM yields than jaqueira, whereas soil collected under sabi produced the least (P 0.05) pearl millet DM. Tree canopy had a positive effect on soil fertility and leguminous tree canopies tended to improve soil properties more than non-legumes. 2014 NISC (Pty) Ltd.

published proceedings

  • AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE

altmetric score

  • 1

author list (cited authors)

  • Dubeux, J., Lira, M., Ferreira dos Santos, M. V., Muir, J., da Silva, M. A., Teixeira, V. I., & Leao de Mello, A. C.

citation count

  • 10

complete list of authors

  • Dubeux, Jose CB Jr||Lira, Mario de Andrade||Ferreira dos Santos, Mercia V||Muir, Jim||da Silva, Monica A||Teixeira, Vicente I||Leao de Mello, Alexandre C

publication date

  • January 2014