Investigations were conducted to assess farmers’ perceptions of the effects of associated tree species on soil fertility status under cocoa-based systems in the Evodoula district one of the oldest cocoa producing basin of southern Cameroon characterized by a high population density and land use intensity. Farmers were asked to rank, based on their knowledge of the fertilizing patterns of associated species, ten trees species with the most positive effects on soil fertility. The ranking was tested with respect to the amount of litter fall and the quantity of minerals released (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) as factors affecting the nutrient recycling process. In decreasing order of importance, the top ten species identified were Milicia excelsa, Alstonia boonei, Terminalia superba, Irvingia gabonensis, Ceiba pentandra, Ficus mucoso, Musanga cecropoides, Coula edulis, Eribroma oblungum and Zanthoxylum heitzi.
The mean litter fall ranged from 19.03 to 0.52 kg/ha and N was the main nutrient in the leaf litter of the different tree species with its concentration varying from 29.81 to 53.56 g/kg and a mean of 42.31 g/kg. P was present in very low concentrations (from 0.4 to 1.96 g/kg) while K varied widely from 0.76 to 6.82 g/kg. Mg was quantitatively the second element in the leaf litter, with values ranging from 8.84 to 37.29 g/kg. A strong correlation (P < …) was found to exist between the farmers’ ranking and the chemical composition of the litter , promoting thereby the assertion that the integration of farmers’ knowledge in global science could contribute in improving the understanding of the phenomenon as well as the adoption rate amongst end users.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Material and methods
- Study sites
- Inventory of associated tree species and local knowledge acquisition
- Determination of chemical content of litter fall of associated tree species
- Statistical Analyses
- Results
- Diversity and frequency of associated tree species
- Farmer's knowledge on litter fall production
- Chemical quality of the litter fall of the associated tree species
- Comparison between farmers' ranking and measured nutrient contents
- Discussion
Objectives and Key Themes
This study explores the effects of associated tree species litter fall on soil health under cocoa-based systems in the Evodoula district of Cameroon, with a focus on understanding how local farmers' knowledge of these effects compares to scientific measurements.
- The role of associated tree species in improving soil fertility under cocoa systems.
- The importance of local knowledge in understanding soil nutrient dynamics.
- The impact of litter fall on nutrient recycling processes in cocoa agroforestry systems.
- The potential of integrating local knowledge into sustainable cocoa management practices.
Chapter Summaries
The introduction provides context by discussing the importance of agroforestry systems, particularly cocoa-based systems, in tropical landscapes. It highlights the role of associated trees in providing ecological services and their potential contribution to soil fertility. The study also explores the challenges faced by cocoa producers in maintaining soil fertility and the potential for local knowledge to offer solutions.
The "Material and methods" section details the study area, the methods used to collect data on associated tree species, and the analysis techniques applied. The section also includes a map showcasing the study location.
The "Results" section presents the findings of the study, including the diversity and frequency of associated tree species, farmers' knowledge of their fertilizing effects, and the chemical composition of litter fall from these species. The section also compares farmers' rankings of species with the measured nutrient content of their litter fall.
The "Discussion" section analyzes the findings and explores their implications for sustainable cocoa management practices. This section likely discusses the congruence between local knowledge and scientific measurements regarding the role of associated tree species in improving soil fertility.
Keywords
The study revolves around the core concepts of cocoa agroforestry, soil fertility, nutrient recycling, local knowledge, and the influence of associated tree species litter fall on soil health.
- Citar trabajo
- Akonnui Ferdinand (Autor), Nomo Bidzanga (Autor), Joseph Bang A Mbang (Autor), Zachee Ambang (Autor), 2018, Local knowledge and effects of associated tree species litter fall on soil health under cocoa systems in the humid forests of Cameroon, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428451
