OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project

1. OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project Belize, Central America

2. 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$

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

4. 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

5. Plot Design Fig. 1: Planting Map

6. Selected Forest Trees

7. Physic Nut - Jatropha Curcas

8. Papaya - Carica Papaya

9. Cover crop - Arachis Pintoy Nitrogen fixing plants affect soil quality positively

10. Hot Pepper - (Capsicum spp.) - West Indies Red

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Plot I Carica Papaya, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum Chinense

14. Plot I

15. Plot I

16. Plot II Jatropha Curcas, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum Chinense

17. Plot II

18. Plot III Sweetia Panamensis, Lonchocarpus Castilloi, Tectona Grandis, Cedrela Adorata, Swietenia Macrophylla, Arachis Pintoy and Capsicum Chinense

19. Plot III

20. Soil Sampling Map Fig.4: Soil sampling locations in the different plots

21. Soil Analyses 2nd Project year Fig. 3: Nitrogen (NH4 and NO3) and Phosphor content in soil samples

22. 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.4: Average of biomass indicators for each agro-forestry plot Fig.5: Average of biomass indicators per section for each agro-forestry plot

23. 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

24. Forest Trees 2nd Project Year

25. Physic Nut - Data Collection Fig.7: Harvest data per year Fig.6: Harvest data per section

26. Jatropha Curcasand its Potential Fig.8: Possible use of Jatropha plant material as renewable energy

27. Hot Pepper 1st Project year Fig. 9 and 10: Harvest data hot pepper: section wise and per project year, infested and non infested fruits

28. Hot Pepper 2. Project year Fig. 11- 14: Harvest data hot pepper section wise and per project year, infested and non-infested fruits

29. Hot Pepper Harvest per Plot Fig. 15: Summary amount of infested and non-infested fruits

30. 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

31. Plant Samplingat the Agro-Forestry Plots

32. Preparation of Plant Material

33. Living Laboratory

34. Training for Students

35. Development of Course Materials

36. Practical Field Work

37. Fieldtrips

38. Course Graduation

39. Training of Belizean Labour

40. Networking in Belize

41. Networking in the Region

42. OAS Agro-Forestry Research Project Contact: Dipl. Ing. Sylvia Baumgart, Project Coordinator/Manager Belmopan, P.O. Box: 198, Belize Central America, eMail: sylvia_baumgart@gmx.net Telephone/Fax: 00501.822.1076