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MINERAL NUTRITION, GROWTH AND YIELDS OF ANNATTO TREES (BIXA ORELLANA) IN AGROFORESTRY ON AN AMAZONIAN FERRALSOL
- M. E. A. Elias, G. Schroth, J. L. V. Macêdo, M. S. S. Mota, S. A. D'Angelo
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- Journal:
- Experimental Agriculture / Volume 38 / Issue 3 / July 2002
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2002, pp. 277-289
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Permanent tree crop agriculture and multi-strata agroforestry are among the most promising options for the agricultural use of the mostly nutrient-poor and physically fragile soils of central Amazonia. In general, though, information on the optimum management of local tree crops under these conditions is inadequate. Annatto (Bixa orellana) is a small tree of tropical American origin whose seeds contain a non-toxic, carotenoid dye that is used widely in food and cosmetic products. The authors studied seed yields at ages four to seven years, biomass at seven years, nutrient accumulation and mineral nutrition of annatto trees growing in multi-strata agroforestry with different inputs of fertilizer and lime on a xanthic Ferralsol in central Amazonia. Leaf samples of three age classes were collected four times during one year, and nutrient concentrations were related to soil nutrient status, growth and yield of the trees in order to develop an optimum sampling scheme for foliar analysis. Growth and yields of the trees showed a pronounced response to increased fertilizer and lime input, which seemed to be due mainly to improved availability of phosphorus. Nitrogen fertilizer had no effect and may not be necessary for well-established trees on this soil. High litter quality and substantial nutrient recycling with annual pruning make annatto a valuable component for agroforestry systems. In this experiment, however, yields were low and decreased after the fifth year, presumably as an effect of infertile soil, shading by larger trees and, possibly, a negative effect of the drastic annual pruning with removal of the entire leaf and small-branch biomass on the vitality of the trees. Annatto is probably best suited for associations with small tree crops. Less drastic pruning treatments than those practiced in this experiment may be preferable.
SOIL NITROGEN MINERALIZATION UNDER TREE CROPS AND A LEGUME COVER CROP IN MULTI-STRATA AGROFORESTRY IN CENTRAL AMAZONIA: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS
- G. SCHROTH, E. SALAZAR, J. P. DA SILVA
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- Journal:
- Experimental Agriculture / Volume 37 / Issue 2 / April 2001
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 17 May 2001, pp. 253-267
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Under rainforest vegetation, the central Amazonian Ferralsols are characterized by relatively high availability of N in relation to other nutrients. After forest clearing, several tree crops also have not shown yield responses to N fertilizer. To elucidate the mechanisms of this apparent N sufficiency, the mineralization of soil N was measured under three tree crops and a leguminous cover crop (Pueraria phaseoloides) in a multi-strata agroforestry system at two fertilizer input levels on a Xanthic Ferralsol in central Amazonia. In situ incubations of topsoil (0–10 cm) were carried out using the buried-bag method on five occasions over ten months. The highest mineralization rates were found under the cover crop, intermediate rates under rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) where the soil was also covered by the cover crop, and lowest rates under peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) and cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) with no cover crop. The increased N mineralization under the cover crop was due to more total N in the soil, higher soil moisture and, presumably, a larger pool of readily mineralizable soil N compared with the soil under the tree crops. Other fertility parameters also differed significantly between sampling positions within the plots, but this had no major influence on net N mineralization. Also, the input of NPK fertilizer and dolomite had no significant influence on N mineralization, indicating that N mineralization was not nutrient-limited. High total N mineralization rates in the soil (approximately 350 kg ha−1 a−1 at 0–10 cm depth) explained earlier observations of nitrate leaching into the subsoil under multi-strata agroforestry at this site. Considering the spatial patterns of N mineralization with maximum values under the cover crop, the exploration of the soil volume by crop roots should be maximized to increase the uptake of mineralized soil N by the crops and reduce nitrate leaching. Appropriate measures are narrow tree spacing, use of annual and semi-perennial intercrops and encouragement of the lateral root development of the trees. In addition, the mineralization of soil N close to the tree crops can be influenced through the management of the cover crop. In view of the high total N mineralization rates in the system and unclear yield responses of tree crops to N fertilizer, the application of N fertilizer to tree crops with well-developed root systems and a well-managed cover crop may often be unnecessary on this soil type. This may facilitate the further development of tree crop agriculture in the region.
Surface Charge Properties Of Kaolinite
- B.K. Schroth, G. Sposito
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- Journal:
- MRS Online Proceedings Library Archive / Volume 432 / 1996
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 February 2011, 87
- Print publication:
- 1996
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The surface charge components of two Georgia kaolinites of differing degree of crystallinity (KGa-1 and KGa-2) were measured using procedures based on charge balance concepts. Permanent structural charge density (Σ0) was determined by measuring the surface excess of Cs, which is highly selective to permanent charge sites. The values of Σ0 determined were -6.3 ± 0.1 and -13.6 ± 0.5 mmol kg-1 for kaolinites KGa-l and KGa-2, respectively. The net proton surface charge density (σH) was determined as a function of pH by potentiometric titration in 0.01 mol dm-3 LiC1. Correction from apparent to absolute values of ΣH was made by accounting for Al release during dissolution, background ion adsorption, and charge balance. Lithium and Cl adsorption accounted for the remainder of the surface charge components. Changes in surface charge properties with time were measured after mixing times of 1, 3, and 15 hours (the latter representing “equilibrium”). Time-dependent behavior is believed to be caused by mineral dissolution followed by readsorption or precipitation of Al on the mineral surface. Both the point of zero net charge (p.z.n.c.) and the point of zero net proton charge (p.z.n.p.c.) changed with mixing time, generally increasing. The “equilibrium” p.z.n.c. values were approximately 3.6 and 3.3 for KGa-1 and KGa-2, respectively, while the corresponding p.z.n.p.c. values were about 5.0 and 5.4. The p.z.n.c. results were in good agreement with previous studies, but the values of p.z.n.p.c. were higher than other values reported for specimen kaolinite.