Abstract

RODRIGUEZ SERRANO, Andrés Camilo; CRISTOBAL ACEVEDO, David; ALVAREZ SANCHEZ, Edna  and  URIBE GOMEZ, Miguel. Indicators of soil quality for maize production under agroforestry systems and monoculture. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.spe16, pp.3263-3275. ISSN 2007-0934.

In an olive plantation, located in the municipality of Texcoco, Estado de Mexico, under which corn is planted for 30 years, the influence of trees on the physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil quality was evaluated. The treatments were: agroforestry system (SAF) and monoculture (MC), each with three repetitions; measurements were performed: 1) physical properties; 2) chemical properties; 3) biological properties; 4) runoff, soil loss; and 5) corn production. The agroforestry system had lower percentages of field capacity and wilting point, favored better conditions for the development of microbial activity and the presence of mesofauna, reduced values of runoff and soil loss, and no significant differences in the chemical properties; showing greater soil conservation. However, this apparent environmental benefit was not reflected on the production of corn, which was 4 670 kg ha-1, in SAF, and 6 379 kg ha-1 in the MC, probably by the negative effect of shade of trees on the cultivation of corn.

Keywords : agroforestry; drainage; fertility; soil conservation.

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