Benefits of Legume Species in an Agroforestry Production System of Yellow Pitahaya in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Yadira Vargas-Tierras, Alejandra Díaz, Carlos Caicedo, Julio Macas, Alfonso Suárez-Tapia and William Viera
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Yadira Vargas-Tierras: National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Central Amazon Research Site (EECA), Joya de los Sachas 220350, Ecuador
Alejandra Díaz: National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Central Amazon Research Site (EECA), Joya de los Sachas 220350, Ecuador
Carlos Caicedo: National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Central Amazon Research Site (EECA), Joya de los Sachas 220350, Ecuador
Julio Macas: National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Central Amazon Research Site (EECA), Joya de los Sachas 220350, Ecuador
Alfonso Suárez-Tapia: Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), Graduate School of Agroindustry and Food Science, Campus Queri, Quito 170513, Ecuador
William Viera: National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), Santa Catalina Research Site, Tumbaco Experimental Farm, Tumbaco 170902, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Agroforestry systems have become an alternative that promotes the conservation of natural resources and the sustainable production of fruit crops in the Ecuadorian Amazon. However, it is required to demonstrate the benefit of the companion species that make up these production systems. The objective of this research was to determine how the legume species within an agroforestry system influence the yield of yellow dragon fruit (pitahaya), carbon sequestration and nutritional contribution. The experiment was carried out in Palora (province of Morona Santiago) and organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were two agroforestry arrangements and the monoculture as a control treatment. Erythrina poeppigiana , Gliricidia sepium and Flemingia macrophylla were used in the agroforestry arrangements for the contribution of biomass. Results showed that during the five years of study, pitahaya yield was influenced by the quality of the leaf litter (biomass) incorporated in to the fruit crop. Biomass from E. poeppigiana and F. macrophylla as companion crops contributed a greater amount of Ca and Mg, increased C sequestration and crop yield. The results suggest that the use of legume species in agroforestry systems positively affects pitahaya productivity, enabling sustainable agriculture in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Keywords: sistema agroforestal; legumbres; cultivo de frutas; carbón (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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