Forage production and nitrogen dynamics in silvopastoral systems with Leucaena diversifolia in Urochloa grass-based pastures

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dc.creatorVillegas, Daniel Mauricio
dc.creatorTrujillo, Catalina
dc.creatorIdupulapati, Rao M.
dc.creatorMurgueitio, Enrique
dc.creatorChará, Julian
dc.creatorRivera, Julian E.
dc.creatorMoorby, Jon
dc.creatorSotelo, Mauricio Efren
dc.creatorCardoso, Juan Andres
dc.creatorOberson, Astrid
dc.creatorArango, Jacobo
dc.date2026-05-25
dc.date2026-06-10T09:13:17Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T13:36:52Z
dc.descriptionIn tropical regions, cattle production often relies on grass monocrops (GMC), which limit productivity and land-use efficiency. Sustainable intensification of pastures is needed to meet rising demand for animal-source foods. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) with nitrogen-fixing legume trees, such as Leucaena diversifolia , offer a potential solution but may increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions due to higher nitrogen (N) inputs. We conducted a one-year study comparing Urochloa GMC versus SPS with L. diversifolia on a fertile Pachic Haplustoll in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Two grass cultivars were evaluated: Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman and U. brizantha cv. Toledo. In SPS, tree rows created two zones: grass-only (SPS/GO) and under-tree (SPS/UT). We measured forage biomass, grass N uptake, N₂ fixation by L. diversifolia , and soil N₂O emissions under two conditions: no additional N input (+water) and after urine deposition (+urine). SPS produced 30% more forage dry matter than GMC. Leucaena diversifolia obtained 54% of its N from atmospheric fixation. The grass in SPS absorbed 8 kg N ha⁻¹ more per grazing cycle than GMC. Under no additional N inputs, soil N₂O emissions were higher in SPS/UT, likely due to greater N recycling. With urine addition, emissions were variable, with higher values in SPS/GO, but no statistical difference was found between SPS/UT and GMC, possibly due to inappropriate urine-N overdosing in GMC. Although SPS showed higher N₂O emissions under specific conditions, their greater forage yield and quality, plus potential co-benefits like lower enteric methane emissions and higher carbon capture, indicate a favorable production–environment trade-off.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/183286
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/64921
dc.languageen
dc.publisherElsevier BV
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceVillegas, D.M.; Trujillo, C.; Idupulapati, R.M.; Murgueitio, E.; Chará, J.; Rivera, J.E.; Moorby, J.; Sotelo, M.E.; Cardoso, J.A.; Oberson, A.; Arango, J. (2026) Forage production and nitrogen dynamics in silvopastoral systems with Leucaena diversifolia in Urochloa grass-based pastures. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 410: 110546. ISSN: 0167-8809
dc.subjectgreenhouse gas emissions
dc.subjectlivestock
dc.subjectnitrous oxide
dc.subjecttrees
dc.subjectsilvopastoral systems
dc.subjectemisión de gases de efecto invernadero
dc.subjectnitrogen cycle
dc.subjectciclo del nitrógeno
dc.subjectgrazing systems
dc.subjectbiomass production
dc.subjectproducción de biomasa
dc.subjectsistema silvopascícola-sistemas silvopastorales
dc.subjectÓxido nitroso
dc.subjectsistema de pastoreo
dc.subjectforage production
dc.subjectbiological nitrogen fixation
dc.subjectfijación biológica del nitrógeno
dc.subjectÁrbol fijador de nitrógeno
dc.titleForage production and nitrogen dynamics in silvopastoral systems with Leucaena diversifolia in Urochloa grass-based pastures
dc.typeJournal Article

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