Soil Quality Evaluation in Mono and Mixed Eucalypt Plantation

Arthur P. A. Pereira (), Maurício R. Cherubin (), Ademir S. F. de Araujo, Maiele C. Santana, Erika V. de Medeiros, Diogo P. da Costa, Adijailton J. de Souza, Antonio Y. V. Lima, Danilo F. da Silva, Paula A. C. Estrada, Lucas W. Mendes, Jay P. Verma, Lydie S. Koutika and Elke J. B. N. Cardoso
Additional contact information
Arthur P. A. Pereira: Soil Science Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, Ceará, Brazil
Maurício R. Cherubin: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Ademir S. F. de Araujo: Center of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64000-000, Piauí, Brazil
Maiele C. Santana: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Erika V. de Medeiros: Federal University of Agreste Pernambuco, Garanhuns 55290-000, Pernambuco, Brazil
Diogo P. da Costa: Federal University of Agreste Pernambuco, Garanhuns 55290-000, Pernambuco, Brazil
Adijailton J. de Souza: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Antonio Y. V. Lima: Soil Science Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60451-970, Ceará, Brazil
Danilo F. da Silva: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Paula A. C. Estrada: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Lucas W. Mendes: Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil
Jay P. Verma: Plant Microbe Interaction Lab, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
Lydie S. Koutika: Research Center on Productivity and Sustainability of Industrial Plantations, Pointe-Noire P.O. Box 1291, Congo
Elke J. B. N. Cardoso: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba 13418-900, São Paulo, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Soil quality (SQ) pertains to the intricate and ongoing capacity of soil to function as a thriving ecosystem that supports the growth of plants and animals. However, there is a limited understanding of SQ assessment in mixed forest plantations. Therefore, we formulated and tested the hypothesis that the inclusion of a nitrogen-fixing tree species (such as Acacia mangium ) improves SQ indicators in mixed treatments involving Eucalyptus trees. To evaluate the changes in SQ, we conducted a field experiment that employed the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) tool to analyze pure and mixed plantations of Eucalyptus grandis and A. mangium . Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm from different treatments, including pure E. grandis without nitrogen fertilization (E), pure A. mangium (A), pure E. grandis with nitrogen fertilization (E + N), and mixed E. grandis and A. mangium (E + A). Sampling took place at 27 and 39 months after planting. We selected seven indicators of SQ: two biological indicators (soil microbial biomass carbon and β-glucosidase enzyme activity), four chemical indicators (soil organic carbon, pH, available phosphorus, and potassium), and one physical indicator (bulk density). By applying the SMAF tool, we determined the SQ scores for each indicator. The results revealed that E + A stands exhibited higher SMAF scores than pure stands, particularly in terms of pH (0.49 and 0.52 at 27 and 39 months, respectively) and phosphorus levels (0.84 and 0.82, at 27 and 39 months), respectively. Forest management practices and the sampling period had the most pronounced impact on biological and chemical indicators. Notably, significant positive correlations were observed between SMAF scores and pH, available phosphorus content, enzymes, soil organic carbon, and microbial biomass in both sampling periods. This study effectively provided novel information that introducing a nitrogen-fixing tree species in combination with eucalyptus trees enhances SQ, as indicated by the SMAF tool, which could reduce the need for external inputs (e.g., mineral fertilizers) by the farmers. Future studies should analyze the effects of A. mangium not only with other E. grandis varieties but also with other forestry essences.

Keywords: soil quality; microbial ecology; Acacia mangium; Eucalyptus grandis; ferralsol (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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