Effect of Sickle Bush (Dichrostachys cinerea (L.)) on the Quality of Degraded Sialitic Brown Soil in Camagüey, Cuba

Abstract

Sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea (L)) is one of the exotic invasive species found in Cuba, spreading over idle and productive lands. However, this plant may bring benefits to the soil, including protection from erosion. In order to prove the effects of sickle bush on soil quality, an experiment was carried out in the Maximo River basin, in the municipality of Camagüey, Cuba, on mulled sialitic brown soil, in field conditions to determine the influence of sickle bush on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil for over 20 years. A completely randomized design with 4 variants was used (more than 20-year sickle bush infestation, extensive farming, intensive farming, and diversified farming). Three soil samples were collected per variant at the same time and under the same conditions. The data gathered were used to estimate the soil quality index, by the SENCA software. Improvements in cationic exchange capacity, real density, apparent density, hygroscopic humidity, organic matter content, and biological activity of the soil was demonstrated in sickle bush-covered soils and diversified farming, in contrast to the conventional farming systems used, which deteriorate soil quality. The sickle bush-covered soils showed the closest value to 1 in the scale, which demonstrated soil quality improvements.

Keywords

• soil quality
• alien species
• sustainable land management
• Dichrostachys cinerea