Can mango orchards rehabilitate degraded areas by nutrient cycling?

Degradation of areas reduces nutrient cycling in the environment, and mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) cultivated in orchard could act as an alternative for degrading areas rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrients contribution to soil via litter in mango orchard, which was used as an alternative for degrading areas rehabilitation in the northeast of Pará, Brazil. The study was performed in the forest, mango orchard, and degrading area located in Salinópolis, Pará, Brazil. The total production and fractions (leaves, branches, reproductive parts, and miscellaneous), as well as the nutrient production and their contribution to the soil and litter decomposition were monitored. Mango trees have produced litter in similar quantities in the forest, 7.06 and 8.95 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. However, mango orchard has denoted litter production seasonality, which was concentrated in less rainy season. Leaves fraction has presented larger contribution to litter total production. Moreover, the contribution of nutrients coming from mango orchard to the soil via litter was like forest. The decomposition was more rapid in mango orchard during the rainy season, when it took 5.51 months to decompose 50% of litter. Mango orchard may be used as an alternative to the rehabilitation of degrading areas due to its contribution to nutrient cycling and soil protection. •Mango trees can be used as an alternative to rehabilitate areas in degradation.•Soil protection and nutrient cycling can be rehabilitated by mango trees.•The decomposition was faster in the mango orchard, especially in the rainy season.