Integrating effects of neighbor interactions for pollination and abiotic resources on coffee yield in a multi-strata agroforest
Fitch, Gordon; Gonzalez, John; Oana, Anna M.; Oliver, Maggie; Vandermeer, John
2022-09
Citation
Fitch, Gordon; Gonzalez, John; Oana, Anna M.; Oliver, Maggie; Vandermeer, John (2022). "Integrating effects of neighbor interactions for pollination and abiotic resources on coffee yield in a multi-strata agroforest." Biotropica (5): 1226-1237.
Abstract
Animal-pollinated plants interact with neighbors for both abiotic resources and pollination, with consequences for reproduction and yield. Yet few studies have compared the relative magnitude of these effects, particularly in agroecosystems. In vertically stratified communities, such as agroforests, neighbor effects may be stratum-dependent. Understanding the net effects of neighbors on crop yield is important for managing multifunctional agroecosystems to simultaneously support production and biodiversity. This study evaluated the effects of neighboring plants on pollen deposition, fertilization, and yield in Coffea arabica in a shaded organic coffee farm with high non-crop plant abundance and diversity in Chiapas, Mexico. We assessed the impact of (1) floral resources at three vertical strata (herbs, coffee bushes, and canopy trees) on stigma pollen load (a measure of interaction for pollination), and (2) floral density and canopy cover (proxies for competition for abiotic resources) on yield (final fruit set and per-fruit weight), using structural equation modeling to evaluate the relative effect of each interaction type. Coffee competed for pollination with neighbors (conspecifics and heterospecifics) across strata. Pollen load influenced final fruit set, but the effect of neighbor competition for pollination was weaker than effects mediated by interactions for abiotic resources. Effects of interactions for abiotic resources were heterogeneous across strata, with negligible effects of herb-layer or coffee flower density but net positive effects of canopy trees on final fruit set. Overall effects of neighbors on coffee yield were weak, suggesting that coffee agroecosystems can be managed to maintain high plant density and diversity without sacrificing yield.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.ResumenLas plantas polinizadas por animales interactúan con las vecinas tanto por los recursos abióticos como por la polinización, con consecuencias para la reproducción y el rendimiento de cultivos. Sin embargo, pocos estudios comparan la magnitud relativa de estos efectos, particularmente en agroecosistemas. En comunidades estratificadas verticalmente, como los agrobosques, los efectos vecinos pueden depender del estrato. Comprender los efectos netos de los vecinos en el rendimiento de cultivos es importante para gestionar agroecosistemas multifuncionales y apoyar simultáneamente la producción y la biodiversidad. Este estudio evalua los efectos de las plantas vecinas sobre la deposición de polen, la fertilización y el rendimiento en Coffea arabica en una finca de café orgánico bajo sombra con alta abundancia y diversidad de plantas no cultivadas en Chiapas, México. Evaluamos el impacto de 1) los recursos florales en tres estratos verticales (hierbas, cafetos y árboles de dosel) sobre la carga de polen del estigma (una medida de interacción para la polinización), y 2) la densidad floral y la cubierta de dosel (representantes de la competencia por recursos abióticos) sobre el rendimiento (taza de fruto final y peso por fruto), utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para evaluar el efecto relativo de cada tipo de interacción. El café compitió por la polinización con vecinos (conespecíficos y heteroespecíficos) en todos los estratos. La carga de polen influyó en la taza de fruto final, pero el efecto de la competencia vecina por la polinización fue más débil que los efectos mediados por la interacción para recursos abióticos. Los efectos de las interacciones para recursos abióticos fueron heterogéneos a través de los estratos, con efectos insignificantes de la densidad del estrato de hierba o del café, pero efectos positivos netos de los árboles del dosel en la taza de fruto final. Los efectos generales de los vecinos en el rendimiento del café fueron débiles, lo que sugiere que los agroecosistemas de café se pueden manejar para mantener una alta densidad y diversidad de plantas sin sacrificar el rendimiento.Animal-pollinated plants interact with neighbors for both abiotic resources and pollination, but few studies have compared the relative magnitude of these effects, particularly in agroecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of neighboring plants at three vertical strata (herbs, coffee bushes, and canopy trees) on pollen deposition, fertilization, and yield in coffee (Coffea arabica) in a shaded organic coffee farm with high non-crop plant abundance and diversity, using structural equation modeling. Coffee competed for pollination with neighbors (conspecifics and heterospecifics) across strata, while effects of interactions for abiotic resources were heterogeneous across strata; overall effects of neighbors on coffee yield were relatively weak, suggesting that coffee agroecosystems can be managed to maintain high plant density and diversity without sacrificing yield.Publisher
Sage Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN
0006-3606 1744-7429
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