Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Cycling Under Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the sustainable integration of trees with other agricultural components for multiple benefits. Water, light, and nutrients are apprehended as the basic components of plant growth. Sustainable management of these resources will ensure maximum nutrient and water use efficiency, hence resulting in maximizing the output from the system. Agroforestry systems can promote efficient nutrient cycling than any other agricultural systems by regulating the uptake, recycling, and synchronization. The tree components in an agroforestry are the most integral component of nutrient balance owing to its deep roots of holding nutrients, nutrient addition by litter, and fine root decomposition and symbiotic nitrogen fixation by nitrogen-fixing trees. Agroforestry hence can modify the nutrient dynamics of the system. Hence integrating the right components in the system can reduce the cost of application of external inputs such as fertilizers and results in a system that is self-sustained and productive.