Soil Characteristics Under the Influence of Cashew Trees in East-Timor

Abstract

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is among the most important cash crops in tropical countries. In East-Timor, nowadays, cashew has been implemented as an alternative cash crop to coffee. The aim of this work was to analyse the soils cultivated with cashew and verify whether there has been any change in their characteristics as a result of this plantation. In four selected sites, soil samples were collected under the cashew canopy (UC) and outside the canopy influence (OP) to assess soil dynamics and evaluate physical and nutrient variability. Significant differences were found on the amount of organic C and extractable K at the surface horizon, with much higher amounts of those elements in the area of influence of the trees. The same pattern was found for extractable P, total N, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and exchangeable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺, however without statistical significances. Those differences are only evident at the surface horizon (0-10 cm) and the understorey vegetation seems not to be influenced by trees.