Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) an Interesting Species for Agroforestry in Chile Verónica Loewe M. and Claudia Delard R. IUFRO Small-Scale & Community Forestry Conference Sunshine Coast, Australia October 2015
Framework -Chilean forest development model poses barriers to forest SMEs. -Over 19,000 owners/smes and over 810,000 hectares of plantations. -Socio economic analysis: low educational and low-income levels (66% earn less than US$ 330/month). -Need to incorporate in the forest activity innovations that will allow improving their economic performance. -World trends in forestry indicates the importance of diversifying the forest activity. -Diversification helps limiting biotic and abiotic risks, withstand economic risks and market fluctuations, and maximizes sites use.
Main Use Products
Nutritional Value Dry Fruit species Protein (%) Fat (%) Carbohydrates (%) P. edulis 14 62-71 18 P. monophylla 10 23 54 P. cembroides 19 60 14 P. quadrifolia 11 37 44 P. sabiniana 30 60 9 P. strobiformis 28 52 7 P. pinea 34 48 7 P. sibirica 19 51-75 12 P. gerardiana 14 51 23 Pecan (Carya illinoiensis) 10 73 11 Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) 26 39 24 Walnut (Juglans regia) 15 68 12 20-45/Kg, progressive offer reduction
Stone pine in Chile Introduced more than a century ago by European colonizers (Italians and Spanish) Used for dune stabilization, cattle shading and as ornamental High growth and production, no pest or diseases Up to 2013, 100 ha planted along 1,300 km High interest in new plantations: 100 ha in 2014 and 350+ hectars in 2015
Isolated trees Group of trees, irregular stands, windbreaks Traditional plantations
Objective To assess and promote Stone pine cultivation under agroforestry settings. By establishing two experimental plots combining pine nut production, agriculture and sheep-raising under a semi intensive management system, with simple and affordable productive techniques. Specific objectives: to assess (1) tree height, crown and trunk diameter growth, vigor and stem form. (2) crop and livestock yields (3) technical and economic feasibility of these mixed systems.
Systems Trialed Location: El Carmen, Biobío region, 533 m elevation on gentle slopes with deep volcanic soil previously cultivated. Soil: ph 6.4, high organic matter (8.9%), no salt, low N, medium P, high K. Micronutrients: very low B and Zn; low S; medium Cu, Mn & Fe. Stone pine + agricultural crops (forage oats and potatoes) + sheep grazing for mutton production. Tree spacing: 5x5 m and 7x7 m. Evaluation of the first five years after planting
Plot Crop Period 1 (5x5 m) 2 (7x7 m) Irrigation (N, 8 h) Fertilizer Dose (kg ha -1 ) Forage oats 7/2010-2/2012 None mix 5 33 12 320 Potato 10/2012-4/2013 6 (Dec. Feb.) mix 5 33 12 2,120 None Forage oats 11/2013-2/2014 None mix 5 33 12 320 Permanent prairie (forage oats + rye grass) 3/2014 onwards 6 (Dec. Feb.) urea 260 Potato 11/2010-4/2011 5 (Dec. Jan.) mix 5 33 12 1,175 None Forage oats 7/2011-2/2012 None Forage oats 4/2012-1/2014 None Permanent prairie (forage oats + rye grass) 3/2014 onwards mix 5 33 12 urea mix 5 33 12 urea 294 220 294 150 4 (Nov. Jan.) urea 220 Forage oats (Avena strigosa) Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) Sheep grazing (N ) 15 during 10 days/month 15 during 10 days/month 30 during 2 days/month excluding February & March 15 during 12 days/month 15 during 12 days/month 30 during 4 days/month excluding February & March
Establishment
2 year old
3 year old
4 year old
5 year old
Results 1. Tree Growth
Variable Growth by Density Plot 1 (5x5 m) Plot 2 (7x7 m) DCH at age 4 (cm) 9.9 ± 1.7 11.2 ± 1.8 * DBH at age 5 (cm) 4.4 ± 1.6 4.3 ± 1.6 Height at age 5 (m) 2.4 ± 0.04 2.5 ± 0.04 Crown diameter at age 3 (m) 0.93 ± 0.024 1.12 ± 0.024 * Survival at age 5 (%) 97.5 95.1 % of trees with strobili at age 5 years 6.3 0 Vigor (% of trees) 97% vigorous 3% medium 0% low 87% vigorous 12% medium 1% low Straightness (% of trees) 42% straight 54% curved 4% very curved 56% straight 35% curved 9% very curved DCH: Diameter at collar level, DBH: Diameter at breast height (1.3 m) Asterisc indicates statistically significant differences (p<0.05).
300 250 Height (cm) 200 150 100 50 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year 5 x 5 m 7 x 7 m
120 100 DCH (mm) 80 60 40 20 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year 5 x 5 m 7 x 7 m
2. Crops Results
Crop Yields Crop yields were lower than the average in the country. In the first 3 years it was reached 46 and 44% of country-level values for forage oats and potatoes (5,070 and 23,380 kg/ha respectively). Tested crops had no negative impact on tree development.
Plot Crop Period Yield (kg ha -1 ) Forage oats 7/2010-2/2012 livestock feeding 1 (5x5 m) Potato 10/2012-4/2013 10,200 Forage oats 11/2013-2/2014 livestock feeding Permanent prairie 3/2014 onwards livestock feeding Potato 11/2010-4/2011 13,225 2 (7x7 m) Forage oats 7/2011-2/2012 2,350 + livestock feeding Forage oats 4/2012-1/2014 livestock feeding Permanent prairie 3/2014 onwards livestock feeding
3. Cattle Results
Cattle Grazing At age 5, sheep production at density 5x5m was 3.7 sheep/ha/year while at 7x7m it was 4.4 sheep/ha/y (19% higher at lower density). Considering mean production in medium quality pasture in Chile, it is equivalent to 92 and 110% of country-level values, respectively. Forage production was not enough to sustain permanent grazing, but if regulated contributed significantly to mutton production. Even though sheep were introduced into the plantation since its establishment, no damage was registered on trees given the close control on the forage availability and animal pressure on it. Periodic grazing has several positive impacts: it reduces the cost of periodic weeding and fire risk.
4. Economics Results
Economic evaluation indicators for cone production in traditional pure and agroforestry systems Indicator NPV (US$/ha at 8% interest rate) Plantation without subsidy Agroforestry system without subsidy 470 3,282 Plantation with subsidy 7 3 Agroforestry system with subsidy 1,390 4,203 IRR (%) 8.4 12.3 9.2 15.9
Conclusions Stone pine is an interesting species: high-value pine nuts, fast growth rate, simple management and earlier fruiting (8-10 years vs 15-18). No phyto-sanitary problems; natural and enforcement barriers that limit the entrance of pest and diseases. Suitable for establishing in productive systems based on trees (nuts and timber), intercropped with crops and animal grazing. Annual income is relevant for the household economy, especially during the first years when trees still are not fruiting. Regulated grazing contributes to mutton production and reduces weeds and fire risk. Duration of the associated production:?, we expect it to be 8 years.
Conclusions AF systems can be designed taking into account the planting site, landholders goals, management skills and capital availability. Production of pine nuts will make a contribution to the local and national economy, a valuable good. Important technical and commercial gaps affect forest SMOs and SMEs. The proposed system could enhance their incorporation in a more sustainable forest activity. Results suggest the convenience of establishing subsidies for AFS in order to improve the rural economy.
Verónica Loewe M. Project Leader INFOR veronica.loewe@infor.cl