Woody species and nutrient accumulation during the fallow period of milpa farming in Belize, C.A. (original) (raw)

Abstract

Plant lifeform composition and levels of nutrients accumulated by fallows aged 1, 2 and 3 years under shifting (milpa) cultivation in Belize were measured. Levels of N, P and K allocated to leaves rapidly reached a plateau in 1 year old fallows with little increase in 2 and 3 year old sites. In stem material, K was accumulated rapidly, with little increase after the first year of fallow growth, while N and P accumulation proceeded at steady rates during three years of fallow development. Total biomass in 3 year old fallows averaged 2070 g m−2 with 10.3 g m−2 N, 0.73 g m−2P and 13.2 g m−2K. Nutrient concentrations in early successional species were higher than in species of later successional status, suggesting different strategies for nutrient utilization.

Woody lifeforms dominated the fallow vegetation, accounting for 80% of total biomass in first year fallows and eliminating herbaceous species after 2 and 3 years of fallow growth. The importance of rapid recovery of woody species is discussed as it relates to fallow management and weed control.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University, K1N 6N5, Ottawa, Canada
   D. Brubacher, J. T. Arnason & J. Lambert

Authors

1. D. Brubacher
2. J. T. Arnason
3. J. Lambert

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Brubacher, D., Arnason, J.T. & Lambert, J. Woody species and nutrient accumulation during the fallow period of milpa farming in Belize, C.A..Plant Soil 114, 165–172 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02220795

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• Received: 14 December 1987
• Revised: 15 October 1988
• Issue date: February 1989
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02220795

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