Improved agricultural productivity due to use of fertilizers over the last century has resulted in yield of cash crops, such as corn (Zea mayes L), to be increased on a per hectare basis. Consequently, inadequate fertilizer management such as improper timing or over application has led to infiltration into aquatic environments which can be detrimental to the ecology of such systems. Agricultural systems within the Mississippi River Basin have contributed to large-scale eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico through surface and dissolved fertilizer loading in upstream tributaries. In response to these concerns, nutrient loss reduction strategies (NLRS), have developed in order to minimize these contributions of eutrophication to aquatic environments. Among adjustments in agricultural practices, one solution is the implementation of cover crops at the end of the cash crop growing season. The primary purpose of cover crops is to increase retention of nutrients during the fall and spring through soil stabilization and nutrient uptake which can prevent erosion and dissolved pathways to fertilizer loading in aquatic environments. Common types of cover crops able to achieve these goals are categorized as winter cereal cover crops (WCCC) and namely, winter cereal rye (Secale cereale) (WCR) is preferred in the state of Illinois. Using WCR has provides addition potential benefits such as cold hardiness establishment, carbon sequestration, weed suppression, and altering hydrological conditions before or during the cash crop. Although there are a variety of benefits from WCR, there are documented tradeoffs due to the presence of WCR, namely, reduced corn yields due to diminished stand population and decreased nitrogen availability through the process of immobilization which results from a carbon to nitrogen ration (C:N) which is greater than 25:1. Our research centered around solutions to maximize benefits of WCR while minimizing negative tradeoffs to the subsequent corn. We hypothesized that reduced seeding rate and higher quality cultivars of WCR would lead to quicker decomposition of biomass (Chapter 1) and would result in corn yields (Chapter 2) that were higher than the alternative treatments of high seeding rates and typical cultivars of WCR. Additionally, we hypothesized that selecting alternative cover crop species such as crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), integrating crimson clover with WCR, and reducing seeding rate through precision planting of cover crops off of the corn row would lead to quicker decomposition and result in higher corn yields than the WCR treatment planted normally (Chapter 3). All research was conducted with two site-years for each study. Chapter 1 consisted of two studies (Study A and Study B) where WCR seeding rate was modified and consisted of five treatments of 0, 34, 56, 84, and 112 kg ha-1 of WCR (Study A), and where WCR seeding rate as well as cultivar was modified and consisted of five treatments (Study B). Treatments consisted of an initial no cover crop control and two cultivars, one typical rye considered as “normal” and a hybrid variety (KWS) considered as “hybrid” that were planted at rates of 67 kg ha-1, considered as “low”, and 100 kg ha-1, considered as “high”. The objective of both studies in Chapter 1 was to evaluate the influence of seeding rate (Study A) as well as seeding rate × cultivar had on (i) WCR biomass and nutrient composition, (ii) decomposition and C:N dynamics, and (iii) soil nitrogen dynamics during the growing season in 2021 (Year 1) and 2022 (Year 2). In Study A, it was found that overall biomass was higher as seeding rate increased linearly (R2 = .94) over the two years from 34, 56, 84, to 112 kg ha-1 (2810.43, 3022.14, 3179.89, 3416.52 kg ha-1, respectively). The seeding rate did not influence the rate at which WCR biomass decomposed due to similarities in carbon and nitrogen concentrations within WCR. Fluctuations in C:N ranged from a high of 37:1 at the beginning of the decomposition phase to a minimum of 21:1 by the end of the decomposition phase. Soil NO3-N and NH4-N measured lowest in the 112 kg ha-1 treatment at 15-30 cm in Year 1. Treatments with no cover crop had the highest soil NO3-N from 0-30 cm in Year 2. Overall biomass of WCR was consistently higher during both years in the hybrid WCR treatments at both seeding rates compared to the normal rye of the respective seeding rate. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen was higher in hybrid varieties (42:1) in Year 1 but not in Year 2. The decomposition rate of all WCR in Study B were similar and not influenced by the various treatments. Fluctuations of C:N ranged from a high of 42:1 in the beginning of decomposition to a minimum of 17:1 by the end of the decomposition phase. Estimated N release of all treatments were similar. Both NO3-N and NH4-N were higher in the no cover crop treatment at the end of the season from 0-30 cm during Year 1, while there was no end of year difference in Year 2. In conjunction with the results of Chapter 1, our objectives in Chapter 2 were to see how treatments from Study A and B influenced (i) corn grain yield, (ii) corn stand count, near difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI), corn N uptake, corn ear composition, as well as end of year N balance, and (iii) to analyze how those components related to overall corn yield. We additionally included how the treatments’ influence on corn could impact soil N dynamics. In Study A, overall corn yield was influenced by WCR seeding rate (p < .05) as the no cover crop and 34 kg ha-1 treatment (11.57, 11.61 Mg ha-1, respectively) were significantly different from the 112 kg ha-1 treatment (10.73 Mg ha-1). Stand count for corn was also influenced by WCR seeding rate (p < .05) as it linearly decreased with increasing seeding rate (R2 = .90) from 70,0009 to 62,552 plants ha-1. The seeding rate influenced the NDVI reading as it was lower in the 84 and 112 kg ha-1 treatments, indicating greater potential soil N immobilization. It was found that yield was most strongly correlated with corn stand count and 1000 kernel weight. In Study B, corn stand count was the only variable influenced by treatment, which was highest in the no cover crop treatment and was lower in the hybrid WCR when compared to the normal WCR at their respective seeding rates. Yield, kernel weight, number, N uptake were all higher in Year 1 and N balance was lower in Year 1. Chapter 3 investigated how cover crop selection, integration, and planting method influenced all of the aforementioned objectives from Chapter 1 and 2. One study made up Chapter 3 (Study C) and consisted of six treatments which were a no cover crop control, WCR monoculture planted at a rate of 67 kg ha-1, crimson clover monoculture planted normally (CNP) at a rate of 28 kg ha-1, crimson clover monoculture precision planted off of the subsequent corn row (CPP) at a rate of 20 kg ha-1, a mixture of the WCR and crimson clover planted normally (RCNP) at a rate of 33 and 22 kg ha-1, respectively, and a mixture of WCR and crimson clover precision planted with crimson clover on the subsequent corn row (RCPP) at a rate of 50 and 7 kg ha-1, respectively. It was observed that overall biomass was driven by presence of WCR but was not significantly different from the mixture treatments in either year. The biomass of crimson clover was not impacted by precision planting, indicating the ability to lower seeding rate. Presence of crimson clover was responsible for the C:N ratio of the treatment as all crimson clover monoculture treatments, aside from Year 1 CNP due to presence of weeds biomass, were lower in C:N (17:1) than all other treatments. Decomposition rate was influenced by cover crop selection as CPP had the highest decay rate of all treatments in both years (-0.00111, -0.00118 in Year 1 and 2, respectively) and RCPP treatment decomposed quicker than WCR in Year 2. The ratio of carbon to nitrogen was lowest for crimson clover monoculture treatments, followed by mixture treatments. By the end of the decomposition phase in Year 1, all treatments had similar C:N ratios indicating biomass decomposition and higher N content in WCR. Year 2 had a lower amount of N concentration in all treatments which influenced C:N ratio of WCR associated treatments. Estimated N release was higher in the mixture treatments as their N content was higher than the WCR monoculture with more biomass than the crimson clover monocultures. Over the two years of the study, crimson clover monoculture treatments resulted in the highest yields (10.16 and 10.11 Mg ha-1 for CNP and CPP, respectively) which were significantly different than the RCPP and WCR treatments, resulting in higher N balances in the RCPP and WCR treatments. Year 2 had lower corn stand count, yield, kernel weight, kernel number, NDVI. Yield was strongly correlated with CSD (.81), diameter (.91) and length (-.91). During both years, soil NO3-N and NH4-N were similar in all treatments by the end of the season indicating uptake by corn. We conclude that in Southern Illinois it may not be fiscally responsible for a grower to use seeding rates over 34 kg ha-1 or hybrid cultivars if their intention is to use WCR as a cover crop before corn in their cropping system. Although the biomass was higher, decomposition was not quicker than lower seeding rate of WCR or typical varieties of WCR. Integrating WCR with crimson clover did not result in lower biomass which may be a practical solution to lowering C:N in the cover crop system, aiding in decomposition so the biomass associated N is able to accessed by corn without being loss to early in the growing season through leaching. Precision planting of cover crops did not impede biomass accumulation which indicates seeding rates and planting design possibilities for WCR, and crimson clover cover cropping systems. Corn stand density was highly impacted by the presence of WCR which indicates the need for adjusting rate and cover crop selection in order to minimize yield reduction in corn.

No description available.

No description available.

Arctic tundra vegetation communities are rapidly responding to climate warming with increases in aboveground biomass, particularly in deciduous shrubs. This increased shrub density has the potential to dramatically alter the functioning of tundra ecosystems through its effects on permafrost degradation and nutrient cycling, and to cause positive feedbacks to global climate change through its impacts on carbon balance and albedo. Experimental evidence indicates that tundra plant growth is most strongly limited by soil nutrient availability, which is projected to increase with warming. Therefore research to date into the mechanisms driving tundra 'shrub expansion' has taken a 'bottom-up' perspective, overlooking the potential role of herbivory in mediating plant-soil interactions. In this thesis, I integrate the impacts of climate warming and caribou browsing on tundra vegetation community structure, and specifically investigate if increases in soil fertility with warming might lead to changes in vegetation biomass and chemistry that could fundamentally alter herbivore-nutrient cycling feedbacks, shifting the role of caribou browsing from restricting shrub growth to facilitating it. Using experimental greenhouses, nutrient addition plots, and caribou exclosures at Daring Lake Research Station in the central Canadian low Arctic, I showed that warming increased soil nutrient availability and plant biomass, and that caribou browsing restricted tundra shrub growth under present conditions. Plant and soil nutrient pool responses to warming demonstrated that increased growing season temperatures enhanced tundra plant growth both by increasing soil nutrient availability and by inferred increases in the rate of photosynthesis, however that the former process was comparatively more limiting. Species- and plant part-specific changes in biomass and chemistry with warming and fertilization clearly indicated the rate and magnitude of change in soil fertility substantially alters plant community structure. Nonetheless, since plant nutrient concentrations decreased with warming and plant responses to browsing were independent of soil fertility, I did not find evidence for a shift from caribou decelerating to accelerating nutrient cycling with warming. Altogether this research indicates effective conservation and management of Rangifer populations is critical to understanding how climate change will affect tundra vegetation trajectories and ultimately tundra ecosystem carbon balances. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-06-07 15:13:21.698

O presente trabalho aborda a ciclagem de nutrientes e aspectos do microclima em plantações de Eucalyptus grandis de 20 anos, manejadas pelo método CCT, em 3 intensidades de desbaste (T0 = 0%, T1 = 67% e T2 = 83% de desbaste). As áreas de estudo localizam-se na Fazenda Santa Terezinha, propriedade da empresa Eucatex S.A., no município de Bofete - SP. O clima da região é do tipo Cwa, segundo a classificação de Köpen, e o solo é classificado como Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo transição para Areia Quartzosa. Em relação aos aspectos microclimáticos, verificou-se que os tratamentos desbastados (T1 e T2) interceptaram menos luz que os tratamento testemunha (T0). Seus valores de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa e ILR (%) foram, em geral, maiores que os do T0. As temperaturas mensais variaram pouco entre os tratamentos. O T2 apresentou a maior amplitude térmica, e as temperaturas médias foram ligeiramente superiores às dos demais tratamentos. Em todas as profundidades (0-5, 6-30 e 31-60 cm), o T0 manteve os maiores teores de umidade do solo. A deposição de serapilheira (estudada de outubro de 1998 a setembro de 1999) foi estatisticamente semelhante entre os tratamentos, embora os tratamentos com desbaste (T1 e T2) tenham depositado quantias ligeiramente maiores. Os teores de nutrientes e a sua transferência, pela deposição mensal de serapilheira, foram em geral mais altos nos tratamentos com desbaste. As taxas de deposição anual nos tratamentos T0, T1 e T2 foram de 10,2; 10,9; 10,4 t/ha/ano, respectivamente. A biomassa de serapilheira acumulada sobre o solo foi de 18,1 t/ha no T0, 13,4 t/ha no T1 e 14,8 t/ha no T2. Nos tratamentos com desbaste, os teores médios anuais de nutrientes da serapilheira acumulada foram geralmente iguais ou maiores que os do T0; porém, seus estoques foram inferiores aos do T0. A decomposição da serapilheira foi mais rápida nos tratamentos com desbaste, provocando menores acúmulos desta sobre o solo. Os estoques de P, K, Ca e Mg no solo foram superiores nos tratamentos desbastados (principalmente no T1). Devido à sua lenta velocidade de decomposição e imobilização dos nutrientes na camada de serapilheira, o T0 apresentou os menores estoques de nutrientes no solo (exceto para N). A aplicação de desbastes progressivos em povoamentos de eucaliptos, quando manejados em regimes de ciclos mais longos do que usualmente vem sendo aplicados atualmente (5 - 6 anos), podem favorecer a reciclagem dos nutrientes que entram no ecossistema, conservando mais eficientemente seus estoques no sistema (solo + serapilheira) e contribuindo para manter a produtividade do sítio. / This study characterizes nutrient cycling and microclimate conditions within a 20-year-old Eucalyptus grandis plantation with three thinning intensity treatments of Correlated Curve Trend (CCT) management method (T0 = 0%, T1 = 67% and T2 = 83% of thinning intensity). This project was located in Bofete - SP, in the Santa Terezinha Farm, of Eucatex S.A. The climate of site is Cwa, according to Köpen classification, and the type soil is a Haplustox with a transition to Quartz Psamment. In respect to microclimate measurements, the thinned treatments (T1 and T2) intercepted less light than the non-thinned treatment (T0). Its photosynthetic radiation and IRL (%) were generally higher then the T0’values. Montly temperature fluctuations were minimal among the treatments. T2 presented the highest thermical fluctuation, and their temperatures were higher than the other treatments. At all soil depths (0-5, 6-30 and 31-60 cm), the moisture contents were greater in T0. Litter production (measured from October, 1998 to September, 1999) was similar among the treatments, but there was somewhat more litterfall in thinned treatments (T1 and T2). Annual litterfall in treatments T0, T1 and T2 were 10.22, 10.87 and 10.39 t/ha/year respectively. The concentration of nutrients and their return through litterfall were generally greater in thinned treatments. Biomass of forest floor litter was 18.13 t/ha in T0, 13.43 t/ha in T1 and 14.83 t/ha in T2. Thinned treatments had equal to or higher than annual concentrations of forest floor litter when compared with T0. However, the amount of nutrients was less than T0. Litter decomposition was faster in the thinned treatments, and there was less forest floor litter in thinned treatments. Soil P, K, Ca and Mg contents were higher in thinned treatments, especially in T1. Due to its slow forest floor litter decomposition and its consequent nutrient immobilization, T0 had lower soil nutrient contents, except for N. The use of thinning practices in long rotation can improve nutrient cycling of atmospheric input, conserve the amount of nutrients in the soil-litter system and improve the site productivity.

Na elaboração de arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais devem ser buscadas interações benéficas entre as espécies utilizadas, com o intuito de atingir os objetivos desses sistemas em otimizar a eficiência do uso dos recursos naturais como: luz solar, a água e os nutrientes. Essas interações benéficas em SAFs são, muitas vezes, obtidas através da utilização de princípios e funcionamentos semelhantes ao ecossistema natural da região. Um dos funcionamentos chaves para garantir a sustentabilidade dos ecossistemas florestais é a dinâmica da serapilheira. A dinâmica quantitativa e qualitativa da produção de serapilheira é fortemente influenciada pela composição de espécies. Poucos estudos evidenciam o papel individual de cada espécie, sobretudo das árvores nativas, nessa dinâmica. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento do papel individual na deposição e concentração de nutrientes da serapilheira de 6 espécies nativas da floresta estacional semidecidual, para uso racional desse conhecimento em sistemas agroflorestais, principalmente para a agricultura familiar e assentamentos rurais da região do Pontal do Paranapanema. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um plantio de restauração ecológica no município de Presidente Epitácio, São Paulo, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada durante o período de maio de 2013 a abril de 2014. As espécies estudadas foram: Anadenanthera colubrina (angico), Enterolobium contortisiliquum (tamboril), Inga laurina (ingá), Luehea divaricata (açoita cavalo), Croton urucurana (sangra d\'água), Schinus terebentifolius (Aroeira pimenteira). Foram selecionados aleatoriamente, no talhão experimental, em área de restauração, 10 indivíduos de cada espécie. Para todos os 60 indivíduos selecionados foram instalados coletores de serapilheira. Durante o período de estudo, a cada 2 meses, todo o material coletado foi retirado dos coletores e teve o seu peso seco determinado. Em dois dos períodos de coleta parte do material foi submetido ao processo de análise química dos macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S). As 6 espécies alvo deste estudo se comportaram de forma semelhante em termos de quantidade de deposição de serapilheira ao longo do ano. O fluxo anual de deposição de serapilheira não apresentou variações sazonais significativas, analisando-se cada espécie de forma separada. No entanto, na análise do conjunto das espécies verificou-se uma maior deposição de serapilheira durante o período mais seco do ano. A espécie Sangra d\'Água considerada pioneira quanto à classe sucessional , teve o maior valor de deposição anual seguido da aroeira pimenteira espécie também considerada de fase mais inicial na sucessão em comparação com as demais. Para todos os macronutrientes com exceção do enxofre houve interação significativa entre espécie e época de coleta. As espécies de início de sucessão aportaram mais nutrientes durante o ano de estudo que as espécies mais tardias. Uma maior diversidade de espécie proporciona maiores possibilidades de complementaridade na disponibilidade de recursos, visto que, houveram diferenças na dinâmica da concentração de macronutrientes na serapilheira das espécies. Estudos adicionais são necessários para contribuir no entendimento da dinâmica quantitativa e qualitativa de deposição da serapilheira de diferentes espécies, bem como suas interações em sistemas agroflorestais. / In the elaboration of Agroforestry Systems arrangements should be sought beneficial interactions among species used, in order to achieve the objectives of these systems by optimizing the efficiency of natural resources use, such as: sunlight, water and nutrients. These beneficial interactions in Agroforestry Systems are often obtained through the use of principles and functioning similar to the natural region ecosystem. One key functioning to ensure forest sustainability of ecosystems is the litterfall dynamics. The quantitative and qualitative dynamics of litter production is strongly influenced by species composition. Few researches have demonstrated the individual role of each species, mainly of native trees, on this dynamic. In this sense, the present study aimed to deepen the knowledge of the individual role in the deposition and concentration of nutrients from litter of 6 native tree species from the Semideciduous Mesophytic Atlantic Forest for rational use of this knowledge in agroforestry systems, mainly for family farms and rural settlements in the region of the Pontal do Paranapanema. The experiment was conducted in an ecological restoration planting in the city of Presidente Epitácio in São Paulo state, Brazil. The survey was also conducted during one year period, from May 2013 to April 2014. The species studied were: Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Inga laurina, Luehea divaricata, Croton urucurana, Schinus terebentifolius. It was selected randomly in the experimental field, 10 individuals of each species. For all 60 individuals selected were installed litter collectors. During the study period, every 2 months all collected litter material was removed from collectors and its dry weight determined. In two period of time collection part of the material was subjected to the process of chemical analysis of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S). The 6 species targeted for this study behaved similarly in terms of amount of litter deposition throughout the year. The annual flow litter deposition has not shown significant seasonal variations by analyzing each species separately. However, in the analysis of all joint species there were a greater deposition of litter during the driest period of the year. The species considered pioneer as the successional class, the Croton urucurana had the greatest annual deposition followed by Schinus terebentifolius, species also considered in the Initial stage in the succession, in comparison to the others. For all macronutrients except sulfur there was significant interaction between species and time of collection. The early successional species supplied more nutrients than later species during the year of this research. Greater species diversity provide better possibility of complementary effects in resource availability, as there were differences on macronutrients concentration dynamics in litter of these species studied. Additional studies are needed to contribute on quantitative and qualitative dynamics understanding of litter deposition of different species as well as their interactions in agroforestry systems.

Na elaboração de arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais devem ser buscadas interações benéficas entre as espécies utilizadas, com o intuito de atingir os objetivos desses sistemas em otimizar a eficiência do uso dos recursos naturais como: luz solar, a água e os nutrientes. Essas interações benéficas em SAFs são, muitas vezes, obtidas através da utilização de princípios e funcionamentos semelhantes ao ecossistema natural da região. Um dos funcionamentos chaves para garantir a sustentabilidade dos ecossistemas florestais é a dinâmica da serapilheira. A dinâmica quantitativa e qualitativa da produção de serapilheira é fortemente influenciada pela composição de espécies. Poucos estudos evidenciam o papel individual de cada espécie, sobretudo das árvores nativas, nessa dinâmica. Nesse sentido, este estudo teve o objetivo de aprofundar o conhecimento do papel individual na deposição e concentração de nutrientes da serapilheira de 6 espécies nativas da floresta estacional semidecidual, para uso racional desse conhecimento em sistemas agroflorestais, principalmente para a agricultura familiar e assentamentos rurais da região do Pontal do Paranapanema. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um plantio de restauração ecológica no município de Presidente Epitácio, São Paulo, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada durante o período de maio de 2013 a abril de 2014. As espécies estudadas foram: Anadenanthera colubrina (angico), Enterolobium contortisiliquum (tamboril), Inga laurina (ingá), Luehea divaricata (açoita cavalo), Croton urucurana (sangra d\'água), Schinus terebentifolius (Aroeira pimenteira). Foram selecionados aleatoriamente, no talhão experimental, em área de restauração, 10 indivíduos de cada espécie. Para todos os 60 indivíduos selecionados foram instalados coletores de serapilheira. Durante o período de estudo, a cada 2 meses, todo o material coletado foi retirado dos coletores e teve o seu peso seco determinado. Em dois dos períodos de coleta parte do material foi submetido ao processo de análise química dos macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S). As 6 espécies alvo deste estudo se comportaram de forma semelhante em termos de quantidade de deposição de serapilheira ao longo do ano. O fluxo anual de deposição de serapilheira não apresentou variações sazonais significativas, analisando-se cada espécie de forma separada. No entanto, na análise do conjunto das espécies verificou-se uma maior deposição de serapilheira durante o período mais seco do ano. A espécie Sangra d\'Água considerada pioneira quanto à classe sucessional , teve o maior valor de deposição anual seguido da aroeira pimenteira espécie também considerada de fase mais inicial na sucessão em comparação com as demais. Para todos os macronutrientes com exceção do enxofre houve interação significativa entre espécie e época de coleta. As espécies de início de sucessão aportaram mais nutrientes durante o ano de estudo que as espécies mais tardias. Uma maior diversidade de espécie proporciona maiores possibilidades de complementaridade na disponibilidade de recursos, visto que, houveram diferenças na dinâmica da concentração de macronutrientes na serapilheira das espécies. Estudos adicionais são necessários para contribuir no entendimento da dinâmica quantitativa e qualitativa de deposição da serapilheira de diferentes espécies, bem como suas interações em sistemas agroflorestais. / In the elaboration of Agroforestry Systems arrangements should be sought beneficial interactions among species used, in order to achieve the objectives of these systems by optimizing the efficiency of natural resources use, such as: sunlight, water and nutrients. These beneficial interactions in Agroforestry Systems are often obtained through the use of principles and functioning similar to the natural region ecosystem. One key functioning to ensure forest sustainability of ecosystems is the litterfall dynamics. The quantitative and qualitative dynamics of litter production is strongly influenced by species composition. Few researches have demonstrated the individual role of each species, mainly of native trees, on this dynamic. In this sense, the present study aimed to deepen the knowledge of the individual role in the deposition and concentration of nutrients from litter of 6 native tree species from the Semideciduous Mesophytic Atlantic Forest for rational use of this knowledge in agroforestry systems, mainly for family farms and rural settlements in the region of the Pontal do Paranapanema. The experiment was conducted in an ecological restoration planting in the city of Presidente Epitácio in São Paulo state, Brazil. The survey was also conducted during one year period, from May 2013 to April 2014. The species studied were: Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Inga laurina, Luehea divaricata, Croton urucurana, Schinus terebentifolius. It was selected randomly in the experimental field, 10 individuals of each species. For all 60 individuals selected were installed litter collectors. During the study period, every 2 months all collected litter material was removed from collectors and its dry weight determined. In two period of time collection part of the material was subjected to the process of chemical analysis of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S). The 6 species targeted for this study behaved similarly in terms of amount of litter deposition throughout the year. The annual flow litter deposition has not shown significant seasonal variations by analyzing each species separately. However, in the analysis of all joint species there were a greater deposition of litter during the driest period of the year. The species considered pioneer as the successional class, the Croton urucurana had the greatest annual deposition followed by Schinus terebentifolius, species also considered in the Initial stage in the succession, in comparison to the others. For all macronutrients except sulfur there was significant interaction between species and time of collection. The early successional species supplied more nutrients than later species during the year of this research. Greater species diversity provide better possibility of complementary effects in resource availability, as there were differences on macronutrients concentration dynamics in litter of these species studied. Additional studies are needed to contribute on quantitative and qualitative dynamics understanding of litter deposition of different species as well as their interactions in agroforestry systems.

A recomposição das matas ciliares pode vir a ser a solução mais eficaz e duradoura para reverter o acelerado processo de degradação dos recursos hídricos. Não há, no entanto, consenso sobre técnicas e espécies adequadas para a recomposição e nem critérios e indicadores para avaliar o êxito dos plantios. Esta pesquisa tratou do estudo de reflorestamento efetuado em 1990, às margens do córrego Tarumã, município de Tarumã, SP. No plantio foram utilizadas 29 espécies, sendo 28 nativas da região e uma introduzida de valor comercial (Pinus elliottii var. densa). As árvores foram plantadas em quatro módulos distintos, caracterizados por diferentes combinações de espécies, como segue: Módulo A - 100% pioneiras; Módulo B - 50% pioneiras + 50% não pioneiras; Módulo C - plantio misto aleatório de espécies nativas (pioneiras ou não) e módulo D - 100% Pinus. Avaliou-se a floresta formada, dez anos após o plantio, com base no desempenho das espécies plantadas e comparando-se os módulos entre si e com fragmento natural remanescente - (E), quanto à estrutura do estrato arbóreo, densidade, diversidade e riqueza florística da regeneração natural, características químicas do solo superficial e deposição de folhedo ao longo do ano. Verificou-se que há diferença entre os módulos de plantio para boa parte dos parâmetros avaliados. Do ponto de vista da estrutura da floresta, todos os módulos de plantio apresentam área basal, diâmetro médio e altura máxima inferiores ao fragmento natural. Por outro lado, a densidade do plantio foi superior à densidade da floresta natural e, mesmo com a mortalidade ao longo desses dez anos, a densidade nos diferentes módulos ainda é superior à da floresta natural (árvores com DAP maior ou igual 5 cm). Em síntese, dez anos não foram suficientes para que, nas condições ambientais deste experimento, a floresta plantada adquirisse a estrutura de uma floresta natural. Comparando-se entre si as espécies plantadas quanto ao seu desempenho, destacaram-se pela sua sobrevivência: Inga uruguensis, Croton urucurana e Schinus terebinthifolius. Pelo crescimento em altura e diâmetro, as espécies com melhor desempenho foram: Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Enterolobim contortisiliquum, Croton urucurana e Pinus elliottii var. densa. Comparando-se os quatro módulos entre si, verifica-se que o plantio misto aleatório apresentou maior densidade e riqueza de espécies em regeneração, seguido do plantio com 50% não pioneiras, plantio puro de pioneiras, e no último lugar, o plantio puro de Pinus. Predominam espécies zoocórias na regeneração natural, sendo que 62% das espécies não foram plantadas, devendo ter sido trazidas por dispersores. No que se diz respeito à ciclagem de nutrientes, o plantio puro de Pinus, embora tenha depositado a maior quantidade de folhedo/ha/ano, proporciona baixo retorno de nutrientes ao solo de modo geral, já que a concentração desses nutrientes no folhedo é baixa. Além disso, a análise química da camada superficial do solo mostrou que sob o Pinus o solo é mais ácido e há menor disponibilidade para a maior parte dos nutrientes, o modelo que mais se aproximou da floresta natural foi o plantio misto aleatório com essências nativas. No outro extremo, com piores resultados, esteve o plantio puro com Pinus elliottii var. densa, para as condições ambientais da área estudada. / Riparian forests restoration can be the best way to stop the degradation process of the water resources. However, there is no agreement about how to do that, what are the best species and planting techniques and how to evaluate the planted forests. This study was based upon a planted riparian forest, along Tarumã River, Tarumã municipality, São Paulo State. Twenty nine species were planted, being 28 native and one introduced species. Trees were planted in four different species combinations, as follows: Module - A 100% pioneer species; Module - B 50% pioneer and 50% no pioneer species; Module - C mixed; Module - D 100% Pinus. The four modules were evaluated ten year after planting, considering: forest structure, density, richness and diversity of natural regeneration, litter deposition and chemical properties of surface soil. These results of the planted forest were compared with a forest remnant - (E) located close to the experimental area. Differences were found among treatments and in comparison with the natural forest, for most of the parameters considered. Basal area, DBH, and maximum height were lower than in the forest fragment. Trees density is still higher in the planted forest than in the natural one, even the mortality rates have been high. Ten years were not enough to make the planted forest structure similar to the natural forest. Comparing the planted species performance, there is a group of high survival rates: Inga uruguensis, Croton urucurana and Schinus terebinthifolius. Another group presented species with high increment in height and diameter: Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Croton urucurana and Pinus elliottii var. densa. Natural regeneration density and richness under the planted forest were also different among treatments, in decreasing order: mixed planting - 50% pioneer + 50% no pioneer - 100% pioneer - pure Pinus. Among the species surveyed, zoochory is the main dispersion syndrome and 62% of the species were not planted. They were, probably, brought by animal dispersers. Litter production was higher in pure Pinus planting than in the other treatrnents. However, nutrients concentration is lower than in treatments with native species. So, total quantity of mineral elements that return to the soil is higher in those forests planted with native species. In addition, chemical properties of surface soil under Pinus forests (H + AI, pH, Ca, Mg, etc.) are worse than under other treatments. This study leads to conclusion that, among the tested treatments, the mixed planting with native species (C) was the most similar to the native forest in structure, diversity and natural regeneration. The worst result, under the environmental conditions of this study, was obtained with the pure stand of Pinus elliottii var. densa.

A matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) é composta de uma mistura complexa e heterogênea de compostos orgânicos, sendo as substâncias húmicas (SH) a fração mais recalcitrante da MOS. As SH têm grande influência sobre as propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo, contribuindo como fonte de energia para microrganismos e também contribuindo com a disponibilidade de nutrientes. Além disso, as SH podem contribuir de forma expressiva para o desenvolvimento e produção das plantas cultivadas. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade e diversidade da comunidade bacteriana do solo, a disponibilidade de nutrientes e a produtividade da cultura de trigo após aplicação de doses crescentes de SH. Dois experimentos foram montados e avaliados, sendo um ensaio de incubação com um solo arenoso e outro um experimento de casa de vegetação com plantas de trigo em dois solos tropicais distintos (textura arenosa e argilosa). Houve um estímulo à atividade microbiana em ambos os experimentos, sendo este estímulo transitório, o que provavelmente ocorreu devido a um efeito priming provocado pela adição de SH. No entanto não houve alteração na estrutura da comunidade bacteriana pela adição de SH, o que pode ser devido ao fato de ser um material recalcitrante e já presente no solo. Também houve aumento na disponibilidade de fósforo, potássio, cálcio e nitrogênio, bem como da CTC, tanto em solo arenoso quanto argiloso, expressando o efeito das SH na melhoria das propriedades químicas de solos tropicais. Além disso, um efeito significativo foi visto em parâmetros relacionados à produtividade do trigo. Houve aumento de massa seca de raízes e parte aérea, além de aumento no peso e número de grãos, o que pode se refletir em aumento considerável de produtividade. Esses resultados são importantes por mostrarem que mesmo a fração mais recalcitrante da MOS pode influenciar positivamente aspectos químicos e biológicos do solo, contribuindo com a melhoria do sistema de produção e também com maiores produtividades vegetais. / The soil organic matter (SOM) is composed of a complex and heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds, in which the humic substances (HS) are considered to be the most recalcitrant fraction. HS have great influence on chemical and biological soil properties, contributing as energy source for microorganisms and as nutrient reservoir for plants. Furthermore, HS can contribute significantly to the development and production of crop plants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the activity and diversity of the soil bacterial community, nutrient availability and productivity of a wheat crop after application of increasing doses of HS. For this purpose, two experiments were performed and evaluated, one is an incubation essay with a sandy soil and the other a greenhouse experiment with wheat plants using two distinct tropical soils as substrates (sandy and clayey). Microbial activity was stimulated in both experiments, and this transient stimulus may have been due to a priming effect caused by the addition of HS. However, there was no change in the bacterial community structure which may be due to the fact that HS is a recalcitrant material and already present in the soil. Nevertheless, we found an increase in the availability of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and nitrogen, as well as in the CEC in both, sandy and clayey soils, showing that HS do improve chemical properties of tropical soils. Furthermore, we found a significant effect on wheat productivity related parameters. There was an increase of dry weight of roots and shoots, as well as increased weight and number of grains, which may be reflected in a significant increase in productivity. These results are important because they show that even the most recalcitrant SOM fraction can positively influence soil chemical and biological aspects, contributing to the improvement of the production system and also to higher plant productivity.

Submitted by Jean Medeiros (jeanletras@uepb.edu.br) on 2016-03-03T16:57:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Vanessa Virgínia Barbosa.pdf: 1782111 bytes, checksum: 02da2f8d083d207f8aa9ad08a90599b9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-03T16:57:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) PDF - Vanessa Virgínia Barbosa.pdf: 1782111 bytes, checksum: 02da2f8d083d207f8aa9ad08a90599b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this study there were three motivating questions: (i) are there differences in the decomposition kinetics of E. dense and C. braunii? (ii) in which trophic state the decomposition is faster? (iii) wthat is the magnitude of nutrients release in the water during decomposition? The hypothesis tested is that the decomposition kinetics is faster for C. braunii releasing few nutrients, because it is a seaweed, however, with both species faster decomposing in eutrophic water due to the greater microbial activity in the environment. Water samples were taken from eutrophic reservoirs with low nutrient content of the Paraiba semi-arid region. The in vitro study in which anaerobic conditions were analyzed: the decay of organic matter and release of nutrients during decomposition. Both species showed similar biphasic decay of organic matter and carbon mineralization and the trophic state did not influence this process. Nutrient release was high for both species, independent of the trophic state. The trophic state of Paraiba semi-arid water is not a limiting factor for the debry decay of E. dense and C. braunii. The species are from different families, but for being submerged macrophytes have similar content of plant fibers, as a consequence significant differences in weight loss was observed. / Neste estudo as três questões motivadoras foram: (i) existem diferenças na cinética de decomposição entre E. densa e C. braunii? (ii) em qual estado trófico a decomposição ocorre mais rapidamente? (iii) qual a magnitude da liberação de nutrientes na água durante a decomposição? A hipótese testada e que a cinética de decomposição é mais rápida para C. braunii, liberando pouco nutrientes, por ser uma macroalga, no entanto, ambas as espécies se decompõem mais rapidamente em águas eutróficas devido à maior atividade microbiana nesse meio. Para isso, foram realizadas coletas de águas em reservatórios eutrófico e oligotrófico do semiárido paraibano. O estudo foi realizado in vitro em condições anaeróbias no qual se analisou o decaimento de matéria orgânica e a liberação de nutrientes durante a decomposição. As duas espécies apresentaram o mesmo padrão bifásico de decaimento da matéria orgânica e de mineralização do carbono e o estado trófico não influenciou esse processo. A liberação de nutrientes foi elevada por ambas às espécies, independente do estado trófico. O estado de trofia da água do semiárido paraibano não representa um fator limitante para o decaimento dos detritos de E.densa e C.braunii. As duas espécies são de famílias distintas, mas por serem macrófitas submersas, possuem teor de fibras vegetais semelhantes, uma vez que não apresentaram diferenças significativas na perda de massa.