Nutrient cycling has been widely studied in tree plantations. However, studies on the observed negative changes relative to natural vegetations and how these could be capitalized toward setting up ecofriendly agroecosystems are rare. This study was conducted in Central-West Côte d’Ivoire to establish the changes in carbon and macronutrient cycling occurring in full-sun cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and Teak (Tectona grandis) relative to primary forest and subsequently make cocoa agroforestry-based recommendations. Leaf litterfall and associated carbon and macronutrient inputs, rates of leaf litter decomposition, and macronutrient release were assessed. In addition, soil (0–10 cm depth) chemical and microbial parameters were evaluated. Litterfall yields were 10.6 ± 2.0, 9.3 ± 0.8, and 10.1 ± 0.4 Mg dry mass ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in forest, cocoa, and teak, respectively. Compared to the forest, the cocoa plantation supplied lower inputs of C (−736 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ or −15.5%) and N (−75 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ or −27%), similar P, but greater K. Similar quantities of C and N were recorded in the teak plantations and the forest. However, the teak plantation supplied lower K but higher P inputs than the forest. Cocoa leaf litters decomposed at the same rate as those of the forest (k = 0.3 month⁻¹) but faster than the teak’s, the initial leaf litter N:P ratio being the most influencing factor. Except for P, the macronutrient release from cocoa and forest litters exhibited similar patterns and rates, which were significantly different from those observed in the teak leaf litter. Soil C mineralization rate and mineral N concentration drastically declined in both tree plantations, the greatest gap occurring in cocoa (C_min: −40%, mineral N: –54.2%) due to lower litter Ca input and soil acidity. Teak appears to be a good candidate for shade as it may compensate for the deficit in litter C (and N, to a lesser extent) supply exhibited by cocoa relative to the forest. The trends in microbial activity underscore the need to grow cocoa in association with trees that provide quality litter materials, for improved cocoa nutrient availability and faster C storage in soil. In line with this, some suggestions were made and discussed. This study can be used in support of developing an efficient cocoa agroforestry system in West Africa.

在人工林中对养分循环进行了广泛的研究。但是，很少有人对所观察到的与自然植被有关的负面变化以及如何利用这些负面价值进行资本化以建立生态友好型农业生态系统进行研究。这项研究是在科特迪瓦中西部进行的，目的是确定全日可可（Theobroma cacao L.）和柚木（Tectona grandis）中碳和常量营养素循环的变化）相对于原始森林，并随后提出了以可可农林业为基础的建议。评估了凋落物和相关的碳和大量养分的投入，凋落物分解的速率以及大量养分的释放。此外，还评估了土壤（0-10厘米深）的化学和微生物参数。森林，可可和柚木的凋落物产量分别为- ¹年- ¹年公顷-1.6±2.0、9.3±0.8和10.1±0.4 Mg干质量。与森林相比，可可种植园提供较低的碳投入（-736千克公顷- ¹年^-1或-15.5％）和氮（-75千克公顷- ¹年^-1）或-27％），相似的磷，但钾含量更高。柚木人工林和森林中的碳和氮含量相似。但是，柚木种植园提供的钾素含量比森林低，但磷素投入量却高于森林。可可叶凋落物的分解速度与森林相同（k = 0.3 month ^-1），但比柚木更快，最初的叶落泄物N：P比率是影响最大的因素。除磷外，可可豆和森林凋落物中的大量养分释放表现出相似的模式和速率，这与柚木叶子凋落物中观察到的显着不同。两种人工林的土壤碳矿化率和矿质氮浓度急剧下降，最大的缺口发生在可可中（C _min：−40％，矿质氮：–54.2％），这是因为凋落物Ca的输入量和土壤酸度降低。柚木似乎是遮荫的好选择，因为它可以补偿可可豆相对于森林表现出的凋落物C（和N，在较小程度上）的供应不足。微生物活动的趋势突显了需要与提供优质垃圾材料的树木一起种植可可，以提高可可养分的利用率，并加快土壤中的碳存储。与此相应，提出并讨论了一些建议。该研究可用于支持在西非发展有效的可可农林业系统。