Rock Powder Enhances Soil Nutrition and Coffee Quality in Agroforestry Systems

Fernanda de Paula Medeiros (), André M. X. de Carvalho, Claudete Gindri Ramos, Guilherme Luiz Dotto, Irene Maria Cardoso and Suzi Huff Theodoro ()
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Fernanda de Paula Medeiros: Postgraduate Program in Environment and Rural Development, PPG-MADER University of Brasilia—UnB, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil
André M. X. de Carvalho: Postgraduate Program in Agronomy/Plant Production, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Rio Paranaíba, Viçosa 73345-010, MG, Brazil
Claudete Gindri Ramos: Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, Barranquilla 080002, Atlántico, Colombia
Guilherme Luiz Dotto: Research Group on Adsorptive and Catalytic Process Engineering (ENGEPAC), Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000-7, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
Irene Maria Cardoso: Postgraduate Program in Agronomy/Plant Production, Federal University of Viçosa, Campus Rio Paranaíba, Viçosa 73345-010, MG, Brazil
Suzi Huff Theodoro: Postgraduate Program in Environment and Rural Development, PPG-MADER University of Brasilia—UnB, Brasilia 70910-900, DF, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: The use of rock powders is an agricultural practice that facilitates the agroecological transition and autonomy of many farmers. These inputs should be used in conjunction with management systems that enhance the weathering of the minerals contained in the rocks. This study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating gneiss powder on soil quality and coffee cultivation within agroecological and organic frameworks, encompassing agroforestry systems (AFSs) as well as areas fully exposed to sunlight (FS). Comprehensive analyses, including chemical, microbiological, and physical assessments, were carried out on the soil. The study involved evaluating various parameters such as electrical conductivity, grain density, total titratable acidity, and pH of the exudates to gauge the coffee quality. Following a 24-month application of rock powder, noteworthy observations included increased soil moisture in agroforestry systems (AFSs), presumably attributable to enhanced nutrient availability (potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc) derived from the gneiss powder. In addition, a higher level of CO 2 was derived from microbial respiration than from soil production. Similarly, coffee beans presented lower electrical conductivity, higher density, and fewer defects in AFSs than fully exposed sun systems (FS). The total titratable acidity values remain consistent with the limits indicated in the literature for quality coffees; the pH values, however, were lower. The results suggest that the use of gneiss powder enhances soil microorganism activity and accelerates the biological weathering of minerals for coffee plantations in AFSs.

Keywords: gneiss; agroecological management; coffee; enhanced weathering; microbial respiration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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