Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico
(1) Background: Coffee agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Veracruz, Mexico, are being displaced by avocado monocultures due to their high economic value. This change can generate alterations in the type of organic residues produced and soil biological activity (SBA) which is sensitive to climatic variat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/8/1794 |
| _version_ | 1797440052753596416 |
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| author | Diana Ayala-Montejo Eduardo Valdés-Velarde Gerardo Sergio Benedicto-Valdés Esteban Escamilla-Prado Rufo Sánchez-Hernández Juan Fernando Gallardo Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi |
| author_facet | Diana Ayala-Montejo Eduardo Valdés-Velarde Gerardo Sergio Benedicto-Valdés Esteban Escamilla-Prado Rufo Sánchez-Hernández Juan Fernando Gallardo Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi |
| author_sort | Diana Ayala-Montejo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Coffee agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Veracruz, Mexico, are being displaced by avocado monocultures due to their high economic value. This change can generate alterations in the type of organic residues produced and soil biological activity (SBA) which is sensitive to climatic variations, changes in floristic composition, and agronomic management. It can be evaluated through soil respiration and macrofauna, both related to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics. The objective was to: (1) Analyze the variation of SBA as well as the C and N dynamics in modified coffee agroforestry systems; (2) Methods: Three CAFS (renewed, intensive pruning, and with the introduction of avocados) and an avocado plantation were compared. The evaluations were conducted during the period 2017–2019. Soil parameters (respiration, macrofauna, C and N contents) and C content of plant biomass were measured in plots of 25 × 25 m<sup>2</sup> from three soil depths in triplicate. Spearman’s test and a principal component analysis were performed to determine the structural dependence on C and N dynamics; (3) Results: The introduction of avocado showed the lowest soil respiration values (with 193 g CO<sub>2</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> at 0–10 cm depth), this system did not display soil macrofauna and increased soil organic carbon content. The soil C/N ratio was sensitive to the introduction of avocado. Correlation between soil respiration and litter-related parameters was positive, but it was negatively correlated with soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen, explaining 67.7% of the variation; (4) Conclusions: Modification of CAFS generated variations in the SBA and soil C and N contents. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:02:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4644f03d4f6b4f708ee2ea9d64a6f167 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:02:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-4644f03d4f6b4f708ee2ea9d64a6f1672023-11-30T23:01:59ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-07-01128179410.3390/agronomy12081794Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in MexicoDiana Ayala-Montejo0Eduardo Valdés-Velarde1Gerardo Sergio Benedicto-Valdés2Esteban Escamilla-Prado3Rufo Sánchez-Hernández4Juan Fernando Gallardo5Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi6CONACYT-El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor, Alcaldía Benito Juárez, Mexico 03940, MexicoCentro de Agroforestería para el Desarrollo Sostenible, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Carretera México-Texcoco Km 38.5, Chapingo, Texcoco 56230, MexicoColegio de Postgraduados, Postgrado Edafología, Campus Montecillo, Mexico 56230, MexicoCentro Regional Universitario Oriente, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Carretera Huatusco-Jalapa Km 6, Huatusco, Veracruz 94100, MexicoDivisión Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Carretera Villahermosa-Teapa Km 25.2 Rancheria la Huasteca II Sección, Villahermosa 86298, MexicoHigher Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), IRNASa, 37008 Salamanca, SpainDepartamento de Agricultura, Sociedad y Ambiente, Unidad Villahermosa, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carretera Villahermosa-Reforma Km 15.5, Ranchería Guineo II Sección, Villahermosa 86280, Mexico(1) Background: Coffee agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Veracruz, Mexico, are being displaced by avocado monocultures due to their high economic value. This change can generate alterations in the type of organic residues produced and soil biological activity (SBA) which is sensitive to climatic variations, changes in floristic composition, and agronomic management. It can be evaluated through soil respiration and macrofauna, both related to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics. The objective was to: (1) Analyze the variation of SBA as well as the C and N dynamics in modified coffee agroforestry systems; (2) Methods: Three CAFS (renewed, intensive pruning, and with the introduction of avocados) and an avocado plantation were compared. The evaluations were conducted during the period 2017–2019. Soil parameters (respiration, macrofauna, C and N contents) and C content of plant biomass were measured in plots of 25 × 25 m<sup>2</sup> from three soil depths in triplicate. Spearman’s test and a principal component analysis were performed to determine the structural dependence on C and N dynamics; (3) Results: The introduction of avocado showed the lowest soil respiration values (with 193 g CO<sub>2</sub> ha<sup>−1</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> at 0–10 cm depth), this system did not display soil macrofauna and increased soil organic carbon content. The soil C/N ratio was sensitive to the introduction of avocado. Correlation between soil respiration and litter-related parameters was positive, but it was negatively correlated with soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen, explaining 67.7% of the variation; (4) Conclusions: Modification of CAFS generated variations in the SBA and soil C and N contents.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/8/1794agroforestry system renewedavocadoC storagesoil C/N ratiosoil CO<sub>2</sub> emissionsoil macrofauna |
| spellingShingle | Diana Ayala-Montejo Eduardo Valdés-Velarde Gerardo Sergio Benedicto-Valdés Esteban Escamilla-Prado Rufo Sánchez-Hernández Juan Fernando Gallardo Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico Agronomy agroforestry system renewed avocado C storage soil C/N ratio soil CO<sub>2</sub> emission soil macrofauna |
| title | Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico |
| title_full | Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico |
| title_short | Soil Biological Activity, Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Modified Coffee Agroforestry Systems in Mexico |
| title_sort | soil biological activity carbon and nitrogen dynamics in modified coffee agroforestry systems in mexico |
| topic | agroforestry system renewed avocado C storage soil C/N ratio soil CO<sub>2</sub> emission soil macrofauna |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/8/1794 |
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