Biomass dynamics of Erythrina lanceolata as influenced by shoot-pruning intensity in Costa Rica

摘要: Pruning of agroforestry trees, while reducing shade the crops, usually reduces both biomass production and nitrogen fixation. Short pruning cycles are often not sustainable on long run, because tree declines over subsequent cycles. We compared labile carbohydrate dynamics Erythrina lanceolata Standley (Papilionaceae) trees under total partial regimes in a vanilla (Vanilla planifolia L.) plantation South-western Costa Rica. The highest was measured unpruned control, followed by with 50% leaf pruned every three months, six months resulted lowest pruduction. In more productive treatments, higher proportion branches. Because, N content woody branches high, they were important for cycling. treatment returned to soil from litter than leaf. Sugar concentrations different between treatments non-structural carbohydrates (sugar starch) seems depend plant phenology treatment. However, starch lower other treatments.