Contribution of red alder to soil nitrogen input in a silvopastoral system

Studies on Alnus rubra Bong. (red alder) were carried out to assess its potential for use as a component of a silvopastoral system. Comparison was between two treatments: red alder at 400 stems ha-¹ (silvopasture) and red alder at 2,500 stems ha-¹ (forestry control). δ¹⁵N values close to zero were r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology and fertility of soils 2007-08, Vol.43 (6), p.843-848
Main Authors: Teklehaimanot, Zewge, Mmolotsi, Ronnie M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alnus rubra
Atmosphere
Decomposition
Fertility
Fixation
N fixation
N natural abundance
Nitrogen
Nodules
Root nodules
Silvopasture
Soil
Soil fertility
Stems
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Summary:Studies on Alnus rubra Bong. (red alder) were carried out to assess its potential for use as a component of a silvopastoral system. Comparison was between two treatments: red alder at 400 stems ha-¹ (silvopasture) and red alder at 2,500 stems ha-¹ (forestry control). δ¹⁵N values close to zero were recorded in all red alder plant parts except for root nodules, indicating that a large proportion of N in red alder was fixed from the atmosphere. Overall, it was estimated that there was 63.45 kg N ha-¹ fixed N accumulated in red alder trees, and the rate of N fixation was estimated at 30.95 kg ha-¹ year-¹ in the silvopasture treatment. The total amount of N that could potentially be added to the soil in the silvopasture treatment as a result of decomposition of senescent leaves, roots, and dead nodules was estimated at 40.56 kg ha-¹ year-¹. Of the total N added to the soil, 27.1 kg ha-¹ year-¹ was due to N fixation from the atmosphere. These results show that red alder has a potential to improve and maintain soil fertility in a silvopastoral system.
ISSN:0178-2762
1432-0789
DOI:10.1007/s00374-006-0163-9