Evaluation of the Genipa americana L. / Heliconia stricta Huber agroforestry system and its effects on soil fertility

Resumen

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Objective:  To evaluate the plant development of Genipa americana L. and Heliconia stricta Huber associated as an agroforestry system, and their effects on soil fertility.

Design/methodology/approach: A completely randomized experimental design with three replications per treatment was used. Genipa plantations were established in July 2019 and Heliconia in September 2020. Soil samples and analyses were carried out based on the methodologies specified in NOM-021-RECNAT-2000 (SEMARNAT, 2002). Monthly measurements of height, stem diameter, number of leaves, photosynthetic rate were made for Heliconia and Genipa, as well as number of branches and canopy cover for the latter. Means were compared by Tukey’s test at a 5% confidence level.

Results: Contents of organic material (OM), Phosphorus (P) and Manganese (Mn) in the soil did present significant differences because of the treatments, cultivated alone and/or associated, while the contents of Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) did not. The behavior and development of Genipa was the same in the treatments, while Heliconia did present variations.

Limitations on study /implications: It is recommended to continue the study.

Findings/conclusions: The treatments cultivated alone and/or associated improved the (OM) contents in the soil. Genipa is not affected by the effect of the treatments evaluated, while heliconias are.