OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project

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OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project
Belize, Central America

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• Funding Agency
• Organisation of American States
• Executing Agency
• Mayan Reserve Foundation
• Project Partners
• Ministry of National Development
• University of Belize
• Scientific Experts
• Execution period
• 2003-2007
• Estimated funds
• 400.000 US

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• Development of Sustainable land-use systems on
  degraded tropical pasture in Belize as a model
  for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

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Activities

• Demonstration
• Hot pepper based agro-forestry research
  plots
• Socio Economic
• Information material, Network, Outreach
• Education
• Research courses for students
• Course material
• Research
• Assessment of species diversity
• Quantification of stem diameter and yield
  data
• Light /shade adaptation
• Water status and Nitrogen nutrition of
  species

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Plot Design
Fig. 1 Planting Map
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Selected Forest Trees
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Physic Nut - Jatropha Curcas
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Papaya - Carica Papaya
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Cover crop - Arachis Pintoy
Nitrogen fixing plants affect soil quality
positively
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Hot Pepper - (Capsicum spp.) - West Indies Red
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Objectives
Enhancement of research data about sustainable
land-use in the tropics Improvement of knowledge
about interaction between structures and
functions in tropical forest ecosystems,
adaptable for reforestation strategies
Evaluation of scientifically based
agro-forestry systems on degraded tropical
land Use of stable isotope analysis for the
characterization of ecosystem processes, in
particular water-use and nitrogen nutrition
analysis for better understanding of key
processes in natural tropical ecosystems as a
base for the long term success of rehabilitation
programs for degraded tropical soil
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Hot Pepper is a shade adapted plant
Fig. 2 Light Response Curve
The electron transport rate of hot pepper
indicates that it is a shade adapted plant. This
is contrary to traditional methods of
cultivation. Commercial hot pepper producers
grow there crops in sunny places and do not
provide shade for their plants.
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Plot I
Carica Papaya, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum
Chinense
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Plot I
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Plot I
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Plot II
Jatropha Curcas, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum
Chinense
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Plot II
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Plot III
Sweetia Panamensis, Lonchocarpus Castilloi,
Tectona Grandis, Cedrela Adorata, Swietenia
Macrophylla, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum Chinense
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Plot III

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Soil Sampling Map
Fig.4 Soil sampling locations in the different
plots
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Soil Analyses 2nd Project year
Fig. 3 Nitrogen (NH4 and NO3) and Phosphor
content in soil samples
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Biomass of Hot pepper
The average of biomass for the three
agro-forestry plots presented in Fig. 4 and 5
show that the biggest pepper plants grew in plot
II (intercropping with Physic Nuts)
Fig.5 Average of biomass indicators per section
for each agro-forestry plot
Fig.4 Average of biomass indicators for each
agro-forestry plot
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Isotopic Signature
Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in plants
provide information about their water status and
their photosynthesis activities of hot pepper
plants. For this purpose we measured the isotopic
signatures in plant material (phloem exudates and
leaves) of ten plants per plot to compare the
results with the plant bio-mass and production
differences. The results presented in the Fig. 5
show very small variations C signature among the
plots because the shade provided by the trees was
still not significant enough in the 2nd project
year

Fig.5 Isotope C signature in leaves of 10 hot
pepper plants collected in each agro- forestry
plot
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Forest Trees 2nd Project Year
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Physic Nut - Data Collection
Fig.7 Harvest data per year
Fig.6 Harvest data per section
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Jatropha Curcas and its Potential
Fig.8 Possible use of Jatropha plant material
as renewable energy
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Hot Pepper 1st Project year
Fig. 9 and 10 Harvest data hot pepper section
wise and per project year, infested and non
infested fruits
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Hot Pepper 2. Project year
Fig. 11- 14 Harvest data hot pepper section wise
and per project year, infested and non-infested
fruits
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Hot Pepper Harvest per Plot
Fig. 15 Summary amount of infested and
non-infested fruits
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Remaining Questions

• Following aspects should be investigated as a
  next step of field trail research. First
  discussion started already in cooperation with
  The World Vegetable Centre in Taiwan (AVRDC)
• How much shade hot pepper tolerates without any
  serious yield and quality reductions
• Water and nutrient competition with the other
  crop plant species in the agro-forestry system
• Pest/disease related questions for organic hot
  pepper production

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Plant Sampling at the Agro-Forestry Plots
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Preparation of Plant Material
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Living Laboratory
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Training for Students
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Development of Course Materials

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Practical Field Work
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Fieldtrips
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Course Graduation
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Training of Belizean Labour
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Networking in Belize
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Networking in the Region
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OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project

• Contact
• Dipl. Ing. Sylvia Baumgart, Project
  Coordinator/Manager
• Belmopan, P.O. Box 198, Belize Central America,
• eMail sylvia_baumgart_at_gmx.net
• Telephone/Fax [phone]