Nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems of coffee (Coffea arabica) with shade trees in the Central Experiment of CATIE
A description is given of the N, P and K cycles in shaded coffee (Coffea arabica) plantations of the Central Experiment of CATIE. The N cycle of the coffe-poró (Erythrina poeppigiana) association is characterized by a total absorbtion after 5 years of 912 kg N.ha-1, which is much higher than that in the coffee-laurel (Cordia alliodora) association where the total absorbtion reached 605 kg N.ha-1. The rate of N fixation was hence estimated as 60 kg N.ha-1.a-1.N fertilization of these agroforestry systems is subsequently discussed. The accumulation of P was also greater below E. poeppigiana than below C. alliodora (16.1 and 12.4 kg P.ha-1.a-1, respectively). The interpretation of the P cycle is difficult due to the fixation of P in the soil. The losses of exchangeable K, Ca and Mg from the soil are notable. This is possibly due to acidification resulting from the mineralization of organic material.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Turrialba (Costa Rica)
1987
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| Subjects: | NUTRIMENTOS, ARBOLES DE SOMBRA, SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES, COFFEA, CORDIA, ERYTHRINA POEPPIGIANA, COSTA RICA, |
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