“Maravillas” agroforestry system: an alternative for sustainable soil management in tropical steeplands

Anagroforestry system was established in steeplands of the municipality of Tezonapa Veracruz, Mexico, with objective of evaluating its efficiency in soil conservation. The component species of the system were mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), cedar tree (Cedrelaodorata), teak (Tectonagrandis), orange (Citrus sinensis), lemon (Citrus latifolia), cinnamon (Cynnamomunzeylanicum), corn (Zea mays), and biological barriers to the contour (BBC) of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides). In agroforestry system, the annual soil erosion rate was reduced by 66% compared to the traditional system used for maize production.