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 Printable version |
Effects of ramial wood amendments on crops and soil: A synthesis of experimental results |
Cahiers Agricultures. Volume 19, Number 4, 280-7, juillet-août 2010, Étude originale
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Bernard G Barthès, Raphaël J Manlay, Olivier Porte |
Summary : Increasing attention is being paid by farmers and extension services to soil amendment with small branches, especially as chipped ramial wood (CRW), but the scientific validation of this practice is incomplete. The present work summarizes statistically significant results regarding the effects of such branch amendments, both buried and mulched, on crop yield and soil properties in temperate and tropical regions. Broadly speaking, soil amendment with CRW has a positive effect on crop yield, except for the crop that immediately follows the first burying of CRW in sandy soils (which has mainly been tested in temperate regions)\; however this negative effect can be limited when nitrogen is simultaneously applied. Moreover, CRW application increases soil organic matter content, stimulates soil biological activities, improves medium-term nutrient availability and - especially as mulch - soil hydro-physical properties (moisture, porosity, structure, etc.). The effects of CRW application can be affected by several factors such as tree species and amendment characteristics (amount, periodicity, chip size, etc.), however the results available do not allow precise recommendations. Moreover, the benefit of CRW as compared with non-woody amendments is poorly documented. |
Keywords : forestry, soils, vegetal productions |
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