Agroforestry systems are perceived as an effective approach to store carbon in agroecosystems by building tree biomass and raising soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. This is especially evident in the tropics, where the cultivation of cash crops such as cacao in agroforestry systems is increasingly used. Among agroforestry systems, organic management, which avoids synthetic inputs...Read More

Cacao in agroforestry systems can benefit from improved nutrient cycling, since shade trees could transfer nutrients through litterfall and pruning residues. Additionally, shade trees could affect decomposition processes of these residues. Studies on nutrient release from pruning residues and on the effect of shade trees on decomposition processes are scarce. We aimed to determine how...Read More

Cacao production is facing challenges of low productivity due to low soil fertility and climate change. Agroforestry and organic farming are potential sustainable and climate-resilient alternatives, but they are often associated with lower yields compared to monocultures and conventional farming. Despite their potential, empirical data on the long-term productivity of cacao cultivated in complex agroforestry...Read More