Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, J. Alexander; SEPULVEDA, Isabel Cristina; CAMARGO GARCIA, Juan C.  and  GALVIS QUINTERO, Jesús H. Soil and nutrient loss under different vegetation covers in Colombia's Andean region. Acta Agron. [online]. 2009, vol.58, n.3, pp.160-166. ISSN 0120-2812.

Soil and nutrient (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus) losses were measured over a 7-month period in the El Ciprés Natural Reserve, located in the Bellavista rural community, municipality of El Dovio, in the western cordillera of the Andes of the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. At 1700-1800 meters above sea level, the area presents an average temperature of 18 °C, an average annual precipitation of 2500-2700 mm, 90% relative humidity, and a 62% slope. According to the Holdridge climate classification system, it corresponds to a lower montane rain forest. Measurements were taken in runoff plots, each 32 m², with seven types of vegetation cover: giant bamboo (Guadua angustifolia Kunth); secondary forest; pastures (Brachiaria decumbens); coffee (Coffea arabica); protein bank (Trichanthera gigantea); forage cane (Saccharum officinarum), and a clean crop formed by cassava (Manihot esculenta), maize (Zea mays), and arracacha (Arracacia zanthorrhiza Brancroft). Results showed differences (P < 0.05) between the different types of vegetation cover. The higher loss of soil and nutrients occurred in clean crops (2.61 t/ha) and the lowest in giant bamboo (0.08 t/ha). These results suggest the advantages of conserving giant bamboo forests in this part of Colombia because not only do they contribute to soil conservation and maintenance of fertility, but they are a complementary economic alternative for rural producers.

Keywords : Soil; cover plants; nutritional loss; soil conservation; Andean zone; Colombia.

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