Cardinal Elements Of Efficient Use Of Nitrogen In Agroforestry Systems

Download or read book Cardinal Elements of Efficient Use of Nitrogen in Agroforestry Systems written by Charles Ssekabembe and published by LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. This book was released on 2010-10 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Improvement of soil fertility is a great benefit of integration of trees in crop fields. Its success depends on efficient use of nutrients in tree biomass. This book addresses this requirement using nitrogen; the most limiting nutrient in the tropics. Efficient N use entails reduction of competition for water and understanding processes and management practices that lead to efficient N use and reduce N losses. Topics covered include biological basis of successful agroforestry systems, control of competition for water; effect of tree pruning on nitrogen contribution in these systems as little is known on how it affects biological nitrogen fixation, BNF; ecological and management factors that influence BNF; a simple nitrogen cycling model, including role of litterfall, the 'albida effect', the 'safety net phenomenon', and closed nutrient cycling, and factors that influence decomposition of tree biomass and N contribution, and avenues for N loss; and cardinal management practices that improve efficiency of N contribution from tree biomass. This book is valuable to students of agriculture and forestry, and to professionals involved in advising farmers about agroforestry.