Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Soil Biology in Traditional Agroforestry Systems of the Indian Desert

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Desert Plants

Abstract

Traditional arid and semi-arid agroforestry systems serve as models for the ‘protective-productive’ rehabilitation strategies of agrarians. The nature of the organic materials present and their decomposition governs nutrient availability in soil systems. Indian desert vegetation has various non-fodder plants in and around farms that can well be used, along with diverse microbes, for improving soil biological fertility. The higher percentage loss of non-fodder plant litter, and the comparatively high phosphorus mineralisation offer the possibility of improving the biological characteristics of arid soils. Prosopis cineraria-based systems govern soil microbes according to their soil organic matter content. Enzyme activities and their dynamics with respect to litter amendment have been comparatively wellstudied for desert soils. Changes in microflora due to addition of Acacia leucophloea (AL) and Prosopis juliflora (PJ) litter in wetting-drying cycles in microcosm experiments revealed that a higher proportion of litter enhanced population levels of cellulolytic fungi, with a further rise following rewetting. However, populations of lipolytic fungi, proteolytic bacteria and actinomycetes were higher during the initial periods of decomposition. The results indicate a strong relationship between lipolytic fungi and sugar fungi, lignolytic fungi, actinomycetes, and proteolytic bacteria. Bacteria and actinomycetes play a synergistic role during decomposition of desert soils.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aggarwal RK, Praveen-Kumar (1996) Integrated use of farm yard manure and fertilizer nitrogen for sustained yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in a desert sandy soil. Ann Arid Zone 35:29–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Aggarwal RK, Venkateshwarlu J (1989) Long-term effect of manure and fertilisers on important cropping systems of arid region. Fertilizer News 34:67–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Aggarwal RK, Raina P, Praveen-Kumar (1987) Ammonia volatilization losses from urea and their possible management for increasing nitrogen use efficiency in an arid region. J Arid Environ 13:163–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Aggarwal RK, Praveen-Kumar, Power JF (1997) Use of crop residue and manure to conserve water and enhance nutrient availability and pearl millet yield in an arid tropical region. Soil Tillage Res 41:43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albers D, Migge S, Schaefer M, Scheu S (2004) Decomposition of beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce needles (Picea abies) in pure and mixed stands of beech and spruce. Soil Biol Biochem 36:155–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allison FE (1973) Soil organic matter and its role in crop production. Elsevier, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Angers DA, Recous S (1997) Decomposition of wheat straw and rye residues as affected by particle size. Plant Soil 189:197–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arunachalam A, Upadhyaya K, Arunachalam K, Pandey HN (2005) Litter decomposition and nutrient mineralization dynamics in two bamboo species growing in a 9-year-old “jhum” fallow. J Trop For Sci 17:33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Balser TC (2005) Humification. In: Hillel D, Rosenzweig C, Powlson D, Scow K, Sparks D (eds) Encyclopedia of soils in the environment, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Oxford, pp 195–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandick A, Dick RP (1999) Field management effects on soil enzyme activities. Soil Biol Biochem 31:1471–1479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barber SA (1984) Soil nutrient bioavailability: a mechanistic approach. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Basu S, Behera N (1993) Effects of tropical forest conservation on soil microbial biomass and activity. Biol Fertil Soil 16:302–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck E, Fußeder A, Kraus M (1989) The maize root system in situ: evaluation of structure and capability of utilization of phytase and inorganic soil phosphates. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 152:159–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behera N, Joshi SK, Pati DP (1990) Root contribution to total soil metabolism in a tropical forest soil from Orissa, India. For Ecol Manage 36:125–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bekunda MA, Woomer PL (1996) Organic resource management in banana based cropping systems of the Lake Victoria basin. Agric Ecosys Environ 59:171–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belsky AJ, Amundson RG, Duxbury JM, Riha SJ, Mwonga SW (1989) The effects of trees on their physical, chemical and biological environments in a semiarid savannah in Kenya. J Appl Ecol 26:1005–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belsky AJ, Mwonga SM, Amundson RG, Duxbury JM, Ali AR (1993) Comparative effects of isolated trees on their undercanopy environments in high-low-rainfall savannahs. J Appl Ecol 30:143–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, McClaugherty C (2003) Plant litter: decomposition, humus formation, carbon sequestration, Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, Staaf H (1981) Leaching accumulation and release of nitrogen in decomposing forest litter. Ecol Bull 33:163–178

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, Ekbohm G, McClaugherty C (1984) Lignin and hemicelluloses relations during long-term decomposition of some forest litters. Can J Bot 62:2540–2550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhart-Reversat F (1999) Changes in relationships between initial litter quality and CO2 release during early decomposition of tropical leaf litters. Eur J Soil Biol 34:117–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bocock KL, Gilbert OJW (1957) The disappearance of litter under different woodland conditions. Plant Soil 9:179–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bragazza L, Siffi C, Iacumin P, Gerdol R (2007) Mass loss and nutrient release during litter decay in peat land: the role of microbial adaptability to litter chemistry. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1428–1436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bridson JN (1985) Lipid fraction in forest litter: early stages of decomposition. Soil Biol Biochem 17:285–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown SMA, Cook HF, Lee HC (2000) Topsoil characteristics from a paired farm survey of organic versus conventional farming in southern England. Biol Agric Hortic 18:37–54

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burns RG (1978) Enzyme activity in soil: some theoretical and practical considerations. In: Burns RG (ed) Soil enzymes. Academic, New York, pp 295–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Caravaca F, Barea JM, Figueroa D, Roldan A (2002) Assessing the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation and soil compost addition for reafforestation with Olea europaeea subsp. sylvestris through changes in soil biological and physical parameters. Appl Soil Ecol 20:107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins HP, Elliott LF, Rickman RW, Bezdicek DF, Papendick RI (1990) Decomposition and interactions among wheat residue components. Soil Sci Soc Am J 54:780–785

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Constantinides M, Fownes JH (1994) Nitrogen mineralization from leaves and litter of tropical plants: relationship to nitrogen, lignin and soluble polyphenols concentrations. Soil Biol Biochem 26:49–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cortez J, Demard JM, Bottner P, Monrozier LJ (1996) Decomposition of Mediterranean leaf litters: a microcosm experiment investigating relationships between decomposition rates and litter quality. Soil Biol Biochem 28:443–452

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coûteaux MM, Bottner P, Berg B (1995) Litter decomposition, climate and litter quality. Trends Ecol Evol 10:63–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dagley S (1967) The microbial metabolism of phenolics. In: McLaren AD, Peterson GH (eds) Soil biochemistry. Dekker, New York, pp 287–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel GF, Nilsson T, Singh AP (1987) Degradation of lignocellulosics by unique tunnel-forming bacteria. Can J Microbiol 33:943–948

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhir RP (1977) Western Rajasthan soils: their characteristics and properties. In: Jaiswal PL (ed) Desertification and its Control. ICAR, New Dehli, pp 102–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhir RP, Mann HS (1978) Arid soils, their characteristics and management. National Symposium on Land and Water Management in Indus Basin, ICAR/PAU, Ludhiana, pp 422–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhir RP, Joshi DC, Singh N, Sharma BK, Kolarkar AS (1997) Taxonomy and distribution of arid soils of Rajasthan. Ann Arid Zone 36:327–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick RP (1997) Enzyme activities as integrative indicators of soil health. In: Parkhurst CE, Doube BM, Gupta VVSR (ed) Biological indicators of soil health, CAB International, Oxon, pp 121–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick WA, Tabatabai MA (1978) Inorganic pyrophosphatase activity of soils. Soil Biol Biochem 10:59–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dilly O, Wacherndorf C, Irmler U, Blume HP, Munch JC (1997) Changes of abiotic and biotic parameters in the course of decomposition of leaf litter in a black alder [(Alnus glutinosa) Gaertn. (L.)] forest of a moronic landscape in Northern Germany. EcoSys 6:31– 42

    Google Scholar 

  • Dilly O, Bartsch S, Rosenbrock P, Buscot F, Munch JC (2001) Shifts in physiological capabilities of the microflora during the decomposition of leaf litter in a black alder [Alnus glutinosa (Gaertn.) L.] forest. Soil Biol Biochem 33:921–930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doran JW (2002) Soil health and global sustainability: translating science into practice. Agric Ecosys Environ 88:119–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doran JW, Parkin TB (1994) Defining and assessing soil quality. In: Doran JW, Coleman DC, Bexdicek DF, Stewart BA (eds) Defining soil quality for a sustainable environment, SSSA Special Publication No. 35, Soil Sci Soc Am Am Soc Agro, Madison, WI, pp 3–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson KE, Blanchette RA, Ander P (1990) Microbial and enzymatic degradation of wood and wood components. Springer Series in Wood Sciences, Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Faroda AS, Singh M (1998) Fifty years of arid zone research in India. CAZRI, Jodhpur, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Fließbach A, Mader P (2000) Microbial biomass and size-density fractions differ between soils of organic and conventional agricultural systems. Soil Biol Biochem 32:757–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franzluebbers AJ, Haney RL, Honeycutt CW, Schomberg HH, Hons FM (2000) Flush of carbon dioxide following rewetting of dried soil relates to active organic pools. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:613–623

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser DG, Doran JW, Sahs W, Lesoing GW (1988) Soil microbial population and activities under conventional and organic management. J Environ Qual 17:585–590

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frey SD, Six J, Elliot ET (2003) Reciprocal transfer of carbon and nitrogen by decomposer fungi at the soil-litter interface. Soil Biol Biochem 35:1001–1004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo A, Merino J (1993) Leaf decomposition in two Mediterranean ecosystems of Southwest Spain: influence of substrate quality. Ecol 74:152–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gehlot HS, Panwar D, Parihar R, Khichar N, Tak N, Shekhawat NS (2008) Nodulating legumes and associated rhizobia found in arid regions of the Thar Desert. In: Parihar P, Parihar L (eds) Advances in applied microbiology. Agrobios India, Jodhpur, pp 27–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill RA, Burke IC (2002) Influence of soil depth on the decomposition of Bouteloua gracilis roots in the shortgrass steppe. Plant Soil 241:233–242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giller KE, Witter E, McGrath SP (1998) Toxicology to heavy metals to microorganisms and microbial processes in agricultural soils: a review. Soil Biol Biochem 30:1389–1414

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halverson LJ, Jones TM, Firestone MK (2000) Release of intracellular solutes by four soil bacteria exposed to dilution stress. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:1630–1637

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammel KE (1997) Fungal degradation of lignin. In: Cadish G, Giller KE (ed) Driven by nature: plant litter quality and decomposition. CAB International, Cambridge, pp 33–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Harsh LN, Tewari JC, Venkateshwarlu J (1989) Agroforestry systems in India. In: National Seminar on Agroforestry Systems in India. CRIDA, Hyderabad

    Google Scholar 

  • Harsh LN, Tewari JC, Burman U, Sharma SK (1992) Agroforestry in arid regions. Indian Farming 45:32–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart SC, Firestone MK (1991) Forest floor mineral soil interaction in the internal nitrogen cycle of an old growth forest. Biogeochemistry 12:103–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield RD, Ralph J, Grabber JH (1999) Cell wall structural foundations: molecular basis for improving forage digestibilities. Crop Sci 39:27–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heal OW, Anderson JM, Swift MJ (1997) Plant litter quality and decomposition: an historical overview. In: Cadisch G, Giller GE (eds) Driven by nature: plant litter quality and decomposition. CAB International, UK, pp 3–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde BR, Havanagi GV, Reddy M, Venugopal N, Viswanath AP, Satyanarayanam T (1982) Studies on incorporation of maize residue on soil properties and yield of maize under rainfed conditions. Indian J Agron 27:254–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Helal HM, Sauerbeck DR (1984) Influence of plant roots on C and P metobolism in soil. Plant Soil 76:175–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hook PB, Burke IC, Lauenroth WK (1991) Heterogeneity of soil and plant N and C associated with individual plants and openings in North American shortgrass steppe. Plant Soil 138: 247–256

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim SM, Shindo H (1999) Relationships between aggregation and hyphal length and microbial biomass-C in soil amended with rice straw and Azolla. Pedologist 43:82–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Ischei AO, Mroghalu JI (1992) The effects of tree canopy covers on soil fertility in a Nigerian savannah. J Trop Ecol 8:329–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson LE, Strauss RB, Firestone MK, Bartolome JW (1990) Influence of tree canopies on grassland productivity and nitrogen dynamics in deciduous oak savannah. Agric Ecosyst Environ 32:89–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis CS, Stockdale EA, Shepherd MA, Powlson DS (1996) Nitrogen mineralization in temperate agricultural soils: processes and measurement. Adv Agron 57:187–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffries P, Barea JM (1994) Biogeochemical cycling and arbuscular mycorrhizas in the sustainability of plant-soil systems. In: Gianinazzi S, Schuepp H (eds) Impact of arbuscular mycorrhizas on sustainable agriculture and natural ecosystems, Birkhauser, Basel, pp 101–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffre R, Rambal S (1993) How tree cover influences the water balance of Mediterranean rangelands. Ecol 74:570–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joffre R, Vacher J, De los Llanos C, Long G (1988) The dehesa: an agrosilvopastoral system of the Mediterranean region with special reference to the Sierra Morena area of Spain. Agrofor Syst 6:71–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanazawa S, Asakawa S, Takai Y (1988) Effect of fertilizer and manures application on microbial numbers, biomass, and enzyme activities in volcanic soils. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 34:429–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Kautz T, López-Fando C, Ellmer F (2006) Abundance and biodiversity of soil micro arthropods as influenced by different types of organic manure in a long-term field experiment in Central Spain. Appl Soil Ecol 33:278–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp PR, Reynolds JF, Virginia RA, Whitford WG (2003) Decomposition of leaf and root litter of Chihuahuan desert shrubs: effects of three years of summer drought. J Arid Environ 53: 21–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kjoller A, Struwe S (1982) Microfungi in ecosystems: fungal occurrence and activity in litter and soil. Oikos 39:389–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kögel-Knabner I (2002) The macromolecular organic composition of plant and microbial residues as inputs to soil organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 34:139–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kourtev PS, Ehrenfeld JG, Huang WZ (2002) Enzyme activities during litter decomposition of two exotic and two native plant species in hard wood forest of New Jersey. Soil Biol Biochem 34:1207–1218

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar K, Goh KM (2000) Crop residues and management practices: effects on soil quality, soil nitrogen dynamics, crop yield and nitrogen recovery. Adv Agron 68:197–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lauriks R, Dewulf R, Carter SE, Niang A (1999) A methodology for the description of border hedges and the analysis of variables influencing their distribution: a case study in western Kenya. Agrofor Syst 44:69–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavelle P, Spain AV (2001) Soil ecology. Kluwer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Peng SL, Rae DJ, Zhou GY (2001) Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization of soils in subtropical plantation forests of southern China, with special attention to comparison between legumes and non-legumes. Plant Soil 229:105–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lodge DJ (1985) Preliminary estimates of fungal biomass and nutrient stores in the litter and soil of a tropical rain forest. Agron Abstr Soil Sci Soc Am, Chicago, IL, pp 158–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodge DJ, Cantrell S (1995) Fungal communities in wet tropical forests: variation in time and space. Can J Bot 73:391–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lodha BK, Joshi DC, Jain SV (1982) Physiology and soil association in Rajasthan. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 30:326–333

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mafongoya PL, Nair PKR (1997) Multipurpose tree prunings as a source of nitrogen to maize (Zea mays L.) under semiarid conditions in Zimbabwe. I. Nitrogen recovery rates in relation to pruning quality and method of application. Agrofor Syst 35:31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mann HS, Muthana KD (1984) Arid zone forestry. CAZRI Monogr. 23, CAZRI, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Marumoto T, Anderson JPF, Domasch KH (1982) Mineralization of nutrients from microbial biomass. Soil Biol Biochem 14:469–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mathur CM, Ganu SN, Moghe VB, Jain SV (1972) Soils of Rajasthan: survey and classification in retrospect and prospect. Soil Survey Organisation, Department of Agriculture, Rajasthan

    Google Scholar 

  • Matson PA, Parton WJ, Power AG, Swift MJ (1997) Agricultural intensification and ecosystem properties. Science 277:504–509

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzarino MJ, Oliva J, Nunez ANG, Buffa E (1991) Nitrogen mineralisation and soil fertility in the dry Chaco ecosystem (Argentina). Soil Sci Soc Am J 55:515–522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McClaugherty C, Berg B (1987) Cellulose, lignin and nitrogen concentrations as rate regulating factors in late stages of forest litter decomposition. Pedobiologia 30:101–112

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehar SK, Purohit U, Sundaramoorthy S (2002) Microbial biomass dynamics as affected by moisture and added litter content. Indian J Environ Sci 6:27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Melillo JM, Aber JD, Muratore JF (1982) Nitrogen and lignin control of hardwood leaf litter decomposition dynamics. Ecol 63:621–626

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller F (1993) Composting as a process based on the control of ecologically selective factors. In: Blaine MF Jr (ed) Soil microbial ecology applications in agricultural and environmental management, Dekker, New York, pp 515–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller RM, Lodge DJ (1997) Fungal responses to disturbance: agriculture and forestry. In: Wicklow DT, Söderström BE (eds) The Mycota, vol IV. Environmental and microbial relationships, 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin, pp 65–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JC, Berlow EL, Coleman DC, de Ruiter PC, Dong Q, Hastings A, Johnson NC, McCann KS, Melville K, Morin PJ, Nadelhoffer K, Rosemond AD, Post DM, Sabo JL, Scow KM, Vanni MJ, Wall DH (2004) Detritus, trophic dynamics and biodiversity. Ecol Lett 7:584–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mordelet P, Abbadie L, Menaut JC (1993) Effects of tree clumps on soil characteristics in a humid savannah of West Africa (Lamto, Cote d'Ivoire). Plant Soil 153:103–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moretto AS, Distel RA (2003) Decomposition of and nutrient dynamics in leaf litter and roots of Poa ligularis and Stipa gynerioides. J Arid Environ 55:503–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris JW, Benzuidenhout JJ, Furniss PR (1982) Litter decomposition, In: Huntley BJ, Walker BH (eds) Ecology of tropical savannas. Springer, Berlin, pp 535–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Mtambanengwe F, Kirchmann H (1995) Litter from a tropical savanna woodland (Miombo): chemical composition and C and N mineralization. Soil Biol Biochem 27:1639–1651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muniafu M, Kinyamario JI (2007) Soil nutrient content, soil moisture and yield of Katumani maize in a semi-arid area of Kenya. Afr J Environ Sci Technol 4:81–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadiaye EL, Sandeno JM, McGrath D, Dick RP (2000) Integrative biological indicators for detecting change in soil quality. Am J Altern Agric 15:26–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagarajan M, Sundaramoorthy S (2000a) Effect of Prosopis cineraria (Linn.) Druce on microbial biomass and soil C, N in arid agroforestry systems of western Rajasthan, India. Ann Arid Zone 39:431–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagarajan M, Sundaramoorthy S (2000b) Effect of cultivation and tree canopy on available nutrients in a traditional agroforestry system. Indian J Agrofor 2:99–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR (1995) An introduction to agroforestry. Kluwer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Nkongolo NV, Caron J, Gauthier F, Yamada M (2000) Organic wastes for improving soil physical properties and enhancing plant growth in container substrates. J Crop Prod 3:97–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nord FF (1964) The formation of lignin and its biochemical degradation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 28:1507–1521

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oglesby KA, Fownes JH (1992) Effect of chemical composition on nitrogen mineralization from green manures of seven tropical leguminous trees. Plant Soil 143:127–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA (1995) Contribution of agroforestry trees to nutrient requirements of intercropped plants. Agrofor Syst 30:105–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA, Rowland AP (1997) A minimum data set for characterization of plant quality for decomposition. In: Cadisch G, Giller GE (eds) Driven by nature: plant litter quality and decomposition, CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp 379–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA, Sanchez PA (1990) Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of the leaves of three tropical legumes. Biotropica 22:330–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA, Sanchez PA (1991) Nitrogen release from the leaves of some tropical legumes as affected by their lignin and polyphenolic contents. Soil Biol Biochem 23:83–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson D, Coleman DC (1991) Methods for assessing soil microbial populations, activity and biomass. Agric Ecol Environ 34:3–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paul EA, Clark FE (1996) Soil microbiology and biochemistry. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Paustian K, Agren GI, Bosatta E (1997) Modeling litter quality effects on decomposition and soil organic matter dynamics. In: Cadisch G, Giller GE (eds) Driven by nature: plant litter quality and decomposition. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp 313–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Pellinen J, Väisänen E, Salkinoja-Salonen M, Brunow G (1984) Utilization of dimeric lignin model compounds by mixed bacterial cultures. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 20:77–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pellinen J, Jokela J, Salkinoja-Salonen M (1987) Degradability of different lignins by bacteria. Holzforschung 41:271–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Persson J, Otabbong E (1994) Fertility of cultivated soils. In: Soil fertility and regulating factors, Report 4337 Swedish EPA, Stockholm, pp 9–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Purohit U, Mehar SK, Sundaramoorthy S (2002) Role of Prosopis cineraria on the ecology of soil fungi in Indian desert. J Arid Environ 52:17–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao VMB, Singh SP (1993) Crop responses to organic sources of nutrients in dryland conditions. In: Somani LL (ed) Recent advances in dryland agriculture. Scientific, Jodhpur, pp 287–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao YS, MacDicken KG (1991) Foreword. In: Mallick W, Rao YS, MacDicken KG (ed) Agroforestry in Asia and the Pacific. RAPA, Bangkok, pp 1–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Raychaudhuri SP, Agarwal RR, Daita NP, Gupta SP, Thomas PK (1963) Soils of India. ICAR, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayner ADM, Boddy L (1988) Fungal communities in the decay of wood. Adv Microb Ecol 10:115–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades CC (1997) Single-tree influence on soil properties in agroforestry: lessons from natural forest and savannah ecosystems. Agrofor Syst 35:71–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richle DE, McBrayer JF, Ausmus BS (1975) Ecological energetics of decomposer invertebrates in deciduous forest and total respiration budget. In: Venek J (ed) Progress of soil zoology. Slovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, pp 283–292

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbrock P, Buscot F, Munch JC (1995) Fungal succession and changes in the fungal degradation potential during the initial stage of litter decomposition in a black alder [(Alnus glutinosa) Gaertn. (L.)] forest. Eur J Soil Biol 31:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy BB, Sen AK (1968) Soil map of Rajasthan. Ann Arid Zone 7:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Santhy P, Velusamy MS, Murugappan V, Selvi D (1999) Effect of inorganic fertilizers and fertilizer-manure combination on soil physiochemical properties and dynamics of microbial biomass in an Inceptisol. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 47:479–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasson A (1972) Microbial life in arid environments - prospectus and achievements. Ann Arid Zone 11:67–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Satpathy B, Behera N, Dash MC (1982) Microbial population, biomass and activity in some tropical soils of Orissa, India. Biol Bull India 4:150–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxena SK (1997) Traditional agroforestry systems in western Rajasthan. In: Gupta JP, Sharma BM (eds) Agroforestry for sustained productivity in arid regions. Scientific, Jodhpur, pp 21–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer D, Steinberger Y, Whitford WG (1985) The failure of nitrogen and lignin control of decomposition in a North American desert. Oecologia 65:382–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schimel JP, Hattenschwiler S (2007) Nitrogen transfer between decomposing leaves of different N status. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1428–1436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger WH (1985) Decomposition of chaparral shrub foliage. Ecology 66:1353–1359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger WH, Pilmanis AM (1998) Plant-soil interactions in deserts. Biogeochemistry 42:169–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger WH, Raikes JA, Hartley AE, Cross AF (1996) On the spatial pattern of soil nutrients in desert ecosystems. Ecology 77:364–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scholes RJ, Archer SR (1997) Tree grass interaction in savannahs. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 28: 517–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G (2003) Decomposition and nutrient supply from biomass. In: Schroth G, Sinclair FL (eds) Trees, crops and soil fertility: concepts and research methods, CAB International, UK, pp 131–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeling B, Jungk A (1996) Utilization of organic phosphorous in calcium chloride extract of soil by barley plants and hydrolysis of acid and alkaline phosphatases. Plant Soil 178:179–184

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sen DN (1982) Ecological approaches to Indian weeds. Geobios, Jodhpur, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Seneviratne G (2000) Litter quality and nitrogen release in tropical agriculture: a synthesis. Biol Fertil Soils 31:60–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar V, Kumar S (1987) Grazing resources of Jaisalmer: ecology and development planning with special reference to Sewan Grasslands. CAZRI Monograph 28, CAZRI, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw MR, Harte J (2001) Control of litter decomposition in a sub alpine meadow-sagebrush steppe ecotone under climate change. Ecol Appl 11:1206–1223

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JS, Gupta SR (1977) Plant decomposition and soil respiration in terrestrial ecosystems. Bot Rev 43:449–527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh RP, Daulay HS, Singh KC (1981) Effect of systems of planting pearl millet on the yield, total productivity, moisture use and monetary returns. Indian J Agric Sci 51:409–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Soil Survey Staff (1992) Keys to soil taxonomy, 6th edn. USDA, Soil Conservation Service, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen LH (1975) The influence of clay on the rate of decay of amino acid metabolites synthesized in soil during decomposition of cellulose. Soil Biol Biochem 7:171–177

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Speir TW (1977) Studies on a climosequence of soil in tussock grasslands. 11. Urease, phosphatase and sulphatase activities of topsoils and their relationships with other properties including plant available sulphur. N Z J Sci 20:159–166

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Speir TW, Ross DJ (1976) Studies on a climosequence of soil in tussock grasslands. 9. Influence of age of Chinochloa rigida on enzyme activities. N Z J Sci 19:389–396

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaramoorthy S (1987) Weed ecology and competitive ability of certain weeds in cultivated fields. PhD Thesis, JNV University, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift MJ (1976) Species diversity and structure of the microbial communities in terrestrial habitats. In: Anderson JM, Maafadgin A (eds) The role of terrestrial and aquatic organisms in decomposition processes. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 185–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Swift MJ, Heal OW, Anderson JM (1979) Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Studies in ecology, vol 5. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Szott LT, Fernandez ECM, Sanchez PA (1991) Soil plant interaction in agroforestry system. Forest Ecol Manage 45:127–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC (1989) Use of electrofocussing technique for characterizing the phosphatases in the soil and root exudates. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 37:393–395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Chhonkar PK (1979) Phosphatase production by micro-organisms isolated from diverse types of soils. Zenterblatt Bakteriol 134:119–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Jungk A (1987) Phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere and its relation to the depletion of soil organic phosphorus. Biol Fertil Soils 3:199–204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Rao AV (1990) Effect of manures and fertilizers on phosphateses in the rhizosphere of arid crops. Pol J Soil Sci 23:81–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Rao AV (1992) Decomposition of tree leaves in arid soils at different moisture levels. J Tree Sci 11:140–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Meena SC, Kathju S (2001a) Influence of straw size on activity and biomass of soil microorganisms during decomposition. Eur J Soil Biol 37:157–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Yadav RS, Meena SC (2001b) Comparative efficiency of acid phosphatase originated from plant and fungal sources. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 164:279–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar JC, Yadav RS, Niwas R (2002) Relative efficiency of fungal intra- and extracellular phosphatases and phytase. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 165:17–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teklay T, Malmer A (2004) Decomposition of leaves from two indigenous trees of contrasting qualities under shaded-coffee and agricultural land-uses during the dry season at Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. Soil Biol Biochem 36:777–786

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teklay T, Nordgren A, Nyberg G, Malmer A (2007) Carbon mineralization of leaves from four Ethiopian agroforestry species under laboratory and field conditions. Appl Soil Ecol 35: 193–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewari JC, Bohra MD, Harsh LN (1999) Structure and production function of traditional extensive agroforestry systems and scope of intensive agroforestry in Thar desert. Indian J Agrofor 1:81–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian G, Brussaard L, Kang BT (1995) Breakdown of plant residues with contrasting chemical compositions under humid tropical conditions - decomposition and nutrient release. Soil Biol Biochem 27:277–280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Upadhyay VP, Singh JS (1989) Pattern of nutrient immobilization and release in decomposing forest litter in central Himalaya. India J Ecol 77:127–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe B, Nwoke OC, Sanginga N, Merckx R (1996) Impact of residues quality on the C and N mineralization of leaf and root residues of three agro forestry species. Plant Soil 183:221–231

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe B, Diels J, Sanginga N, Merckx R (1997) Residue quality and decomposition: an unsteady relationship? In: Cadisch G, Giller GE (eds) Driven by nature: plant litter quality and decomposition. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp 157–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner GH, Wolf DC (1999) Carbon transformations and soil organic matter formation. In: Sylvia DM, Fuhrmann JJ, Hartel PG, Zuberer DA (eds) Principles and applications of soil microbiology. Prentice Hall, NJ, pp 218–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA (2002) Communities and ecosystems: linking the aboveground and belowground components. Monographs in population biology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitford WG (2002) Ecology of desert systems. Academic, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitford WG, Steinberger Y, Mackay W, Parker LW, Freckman D, Wallwork JA, Weems D (1986) Rainfall and decomposition in the chihuahuan desert. Oecologia 68:512–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wieder RK, Lang GE (1982) A critique of the analytical methods used in examining decomposition data obtained from litter bags. Ecology 63:1636–1642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young A (1991) Change and constancy: an analysis of publications in agroforestry systems, vols 1–10. Agrofor Syst 13:195–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young JC, Insam H (1991) Microbial biomass and relative contributions of bacteria and fungi in soil beneath tropical rain forest, Hainan Island, China. J Trop Ecol 7:385–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zinke PJ (1962) The patterns of influence of individual forest trees on soil properties. Ecol 43: 130–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zvyagintsev DG (1994) Vertical distribution of microbial communities in soils. In: Ritz K, Dighton J, Giller KE (eds) Beyond the biomass. Wiley/Blackwell, Chichester, pp 29–37

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The commendable academic assistance of Ph.D. scholars, viz., Dr. M. Nagarajan, Dr. Usha Purohit, Dr. Amar Chand Chouhan and Ms. Harshadha Purohit - all members of project teams working in the soil biology of traditional agroforestry - furthered our understanding of thirsty and hungry arid soils and their biological status. Mr. Pradeep Kumar Panwar and Ms. Deepti Sharma took considerable pains in arranging the references of this chapter and we record our gratitude. I (S. Sundaramoorthy) have freely used some of the research findings from R&D projects sanctioned to me by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Science and Technology, and University Grants Commission; accordingly, the financial assistance received is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, JNV University, Jodhpur, 342001, Rajasthan, India

    S. Sundaramoorthy & Manohar Singh Suthar

  2. Department of Biological and Earth Sciences, Shri Venkateshwara University, Tirupathi, Andra Pradesh, India

    Santosh Kumar Mehar

Authors
  1. S. Sundaramoorthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Santosh Kumar Mehar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manohar Singh Suthar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Sundaramoorthy .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Botany Dept., M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, 313002, India

    K.G. Ramawat

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sundaramoorthy, S., Mehar, S.K., Suthar, M.S. (2010). Soil Biology in Traditional Agroforestry Systems of the Indian Desert. In: Ramawat, K. (eds) Desert Plants. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02550-1_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation