Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients Affected by Tree Species and Poultry Litter in a 17-Year Agroforestry Site

Tree species and fertilization sources may affect the soil organic carbon (SOC) fertility in agroforestry (AF) systems temperate regions, but this remains unexplored. This study assesses longitudinal trends SOC major nutrients a 17-year AF site established on an Ultisol Fayetteville, AR. We evaluated how management (mineral vs. organic) soil’s physical chemical properties using tree species: red oak (Quercus rubra L.) pecan Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch. Long-term applications of poultry litter increased pH, whereas Mg S concentrations decreased compared to baseline levels (1999). Poultry P concentration 53% reduced C:N ratio. After 17 years, Ca, SOC, N were observed soils under stands that received litter. Positive correlations occurred between (r = 0.96) as well Ca 0.71) 0.61) at depth 0–15 cm. Our findings demonstrated changes vary according fertilization, mostly due distinctive leaf nutrient inputs. Organic matter accumulation retention availability systems.