Seasonal Dynamics of Soil Moisture in an Integrated-Crop-Livestock-Forestry System in Central-West Brazil

Sarah Glatzle, Sabine Stuerz, Marcus Giese, Mariana Pereira, Roberto Giolo de Almeida, Davi José Bungenstab, Manuel Claudio M. Macedo and Folkard Asch
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Sarah Glatzle: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Sabine Stuerz: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Marcus Giese: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Mariana Pereira: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Roberto Giolo de Almeida: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Beef Cattle, Rádio Maia Avenue, 830, Campo Grande—MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
Davi José Bungenstab: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Beef Cattle, Rádio Maia Avenue, 830, Campo Grande—MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
Manuel Claudio M. Macedo: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Beef Cattle, Rádio Maia Avenue, 830, Campo Grande—MS, CEP 79106-550, Brazil
Folkard Asch: Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Integrated-crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems are currently promoted as a measure for sustainable intensification of agricultural production. However, due to complex interactions among ICLF components, we are still lacking evidence about the system’s resilience regarding water availability, especially for regions characterized by pronounced wet and dry seasons and frequent droughts. For a mature ICLF system in the Cerrado biome of central-west Brazil comprising rows of eucalyptus trees ( Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla , H13 clone) at a spacing of 22 m in combination with Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã pasture we continuously measured soil moisture (SM) until 1 m depth and supported this data with measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and aboveground green grass biomass (AGBM) across transects between the tree rows for almost two years. Across the seasons a distinct gradient was observed with SM being lower close to the tree rows than in the space between them. During winter SM decreased to critical values near the tree lines in the topsoil. During spring and summer, incident PAR was 72% and 86% lower close to the trees than at the center point. For autumn and winter PAR was more evenly distributed between the tree rows due to inclination with notably up to four times more radiation input near the tree lines compared to spring and summer. AGBM showed a clear distribution with maximum values in the center and about half of the biomass close to the tree rows. Our data suggest that, restrictions in AGBM accumulation shifted among seasons between water limitations in winter and light limitations during summer. Interestingly, SM changes during wetting and drying events were most pronounced in subsoils near the tree rows, while the topsoil showed much less fluctuations. The subsoil in central position showed the lowest SM dynamics in response to drought maintaining a relative high and constant SM content, therefore functioning as important water reservoirs likely improving the resilience of the system to drought stress. Results of this study could help to improve management and the design of ICLF systems in view of sustainability and resistance to (water) crises but should be further supported by in depth analysis of soil water dynamics as affected by climate gradients, soil types and different management practices.

Keywords: agroforestry; grazing cattle; Brachiaria brizantha; eucalyptus; photosynthetically active radiation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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