Characteristics and decomposition rates of pruning residues from a shaded coffee system in Southeastern Brazil

• Published in: Agroforestry systems 2003-02, Vol.57 (2), p.117-125
• Main Authors: MENDONCA, E. S, STOTT, D. E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and farming systems; Agroforestry; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Cajanus cajan; Cassia; Cellulose; Cereal crops; coffee; Crop residues; Crops; Croton; Decomposition; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Landfill; Leaves; Melinis; Mineralization; Physicochemical properties; Plant species; Residues; Solanum; Sustainable development; Trees; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0167-4366; 1572-9680
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1023900822261

In the Zona da Mata Mineira of Southeastern Brazil the development of sustainable land requires the integration of crops with trees. The objectives of this study then were to (i) characterize prunings from the main tree species in an agroforestry system; (ii) determine the effects of the physical and chemical characteristics of the prunings on their decomposition patterns in the laboratory; (iii) assess the effect of mixing leaves of different species on decomposition rates; and (iv) propose a decomposition index for the residues studied. The study was carried out with pruning residues from Cajanus cajan, Solanum variable, Cassia ferruginea, Piptadenia gonoacantha, Croton urucurana, and Melinis multiflora. The materials were characterized for total C, N, P, Ca, Mg and K contents; lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and soluble polyphenols contents. The pruning residues had high polyphenols and lignin contents, high C:N and C:P ratios, and low contents of Ca, Mg, and K. The low decomposition rates of the prunings were related to the P, K, hemicellulose and polyphenol contents. The rates of N mineralization from most of the residues indicate that there is a potential to supply the needs of a crop of maize. The residues of some species, if decomposed alone, would not supply sufficient nutrients, and need to be mixed with leaves of other species.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]