Non-additive Effects of Leaf Litter Mixtures from Robinia pseudoacacia and Ten Tree Species on Soil Properties

ABSTRACT

Litter decomposition plays a critical role in both nutrient cycling and the interspecific relationships between tree species. In this study, leaf litter from Robinia pseudoacacia was mixed with litter from 10 other species, this mixture was then ground and incubated in soil. The soil indexes (i.e., quantity of microbes, activities of enzymes, and chemical properties) were analyzed to study the effects of litter decomposition on soil properties and the interaction between the litters. If mixed separately with Larix principis-rupprechtii or Betula platyphylla, R. pseudoacacia litter exerted synergistic effects on the activities of most enzymes. The mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica or Ulmus pumila exerted synergistic effects on the soil available P. With regard to the soil properties as a whole, the mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and B. platyphylla, Pinus tabulaeformis, P. sylvestris var. mongolica, or L. principis-rupprechtii exerted synergistic effects on soil during their decomposition. However, the mixed litters of R. pseudoacacia and Populus simonii, Quercus liaotungensis, U. pumila, or Caragana microphylla did not. This indicated that R. pseudoacacia mixed with the litter of other needle-leaf tree species benefits the development and regeneration of soil and thus can be used for sustainable forest management.     

Nutrient dynamics associated with leaf litter decomposition of three agroforestry tree species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica,Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis>) of Bangladesh

Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., and Melia azedarach L. are little studied species in nutrient return capabili- ties from leaf litter decomposition to maintenance of the soil fertility despite their importance in agroforestry practices of Bangladesh. A leaf litter decomposition experiment was conducted using a litterbag tech- nique to assess the nutrient return efficiency of these species. The de- composition rate of leaf litter was highest for M. azedarach and lowest for D. sissoo. Rainfall and temperature of study sites showed a signifi- cant (p<0.05) positive relationship with the rate of leaf litter decomposi- tion. The highest decay constant was observed for M. azedarach (6.67). Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentration in leaf litter showed a decreased trend sharply at the end of the first month, whereas rapid decrease of Potassium concentration was reported within 10 days. Conversely, higher concentration of nutrient was observed at the later stages of decomposi- tion. All three species showed a similar pattern of nutrient release (K > N > P) during the decomposition process of leaf litter. Among the studied species, D. sissoo was best in terms of N and P return and A. indica was best in terms of K return.     

Leaf Litter Decomposition,Litterfall, and Effects of Leaf Mulches from Mixed and Monospecific Plantations in Costa Rica

Abstract

Rates of litter decomposition and nutrient release from litter provide valuable information on the capacity of different tree species to replenish soil nutrients in degraded tropical areas. Leaf litter decomposition, leaf litterfall, plantation floor leaf litter, and mulch performance were studied for four indigenous timber species, Virola koschnyiWarb, Dipteryxpanamensis(Pittier) Record and Mell, Terminalia amazonia(J.F. Gmel.) Exell., and Albizia gua-chapele(H.B.K.) Little, grown in mixed and monospecific plantations in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Terminalia amazonialitter decomposed the fastest: no litter remained after 6 months. After 12 months, D. panamensis, A. guachapele, and the mixed litter decomposed completely, while 15% of the original weight of V. koschnyilitter remained. Differences in decomposition rates were closely related to leaf nutrient content. Total annual leaf litterfall was highest in T. amazonia(872.9 g/m²), followed by D. panamensis, V. koschnyi, and the mixed plots. A. guachapelehad the lowest leaf litterfall (236.0 g/m²). The highest plantation-floor leaf litter was found in V. koschnyiand D. panamensis.Both litterfall and plantation-floor litter accumulation fluctuated least in the mixed plots. A. guachapeleand D. panamensismulch most positively affected maize seedling growth, followed by the mixed mulch. Recommendations are drawn from the results to suggest species choice for sustainable land management in the region.     

Influence of slope position, stand type and rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]

Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and Oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link] are the two most common tree species in northeast Turkey. Their distribution, stand type and understorey species are known to be influenced by topographical landforms. However, little information is available as to how these changes affect litter decomposition rates of these two species. Here, we investigated the effects of slope positions (top 1,800 m, middle 1,500 m and bottom 1,200 m), stand type (pure and mixed stands) and purple-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech and spruce for 4 years using the litterbag technique in the field. Among these three factors, stand type had the strongest influence on litter decomposition (P < 0.001, F = 58.8), followed by rhododendron (P < 0.001, F = 46.8) and slope position (P < 0.05, F = 11.6). Litter decomposition was highest under mixed beech/spruce forest, followed by pure beech and spruce forest. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much faster in mixed bags (beech–spruce) than they did separately under each stand type. Purple-flowered rhododendron significantly reduced litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much slower at top slope position than at either bottom or middle position. Differential litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce was mainly due to adverse conditions in spruce forest and the presence of rhododendron on the ground which was associated with lower soil pH. Higher elevations (top slope position) slowed down litter decomposition by changing environmental conditions, most probably by decreasing temperature as also other factors are different (pH, precipitation) and no detailed investigations were made to differentiate these factors. The adverse conditions for litter decomposition in spruce forest can be effectively counteracted by admixture of beech to spruce monoculture and by using the clear-cutting method for controlling rhododendron.     

西南桦和尾巨桉凋落叶分解及其与土壤性质的相关性

[目的]探讨南亚热带西南桦和尾巨桉人工纯林的凋落叶分解动态及其与土壤化学性质之间的相关关系.[方法]采用原位分解袋法研究凋落叶的分解过程.[结果]表明:西南桦、尾巨桉人工林凋落叶分解系数分别为0.96 a^-1和0.88 a^-1.在为期12个月的分解试验中,2种凋落叶有机C含量在整个分解过程中呈逐渐下降趋势;全K含量和C/N比在分解前期迅速下降,之后趋于平缓;全N含量和全P含量在整个分解过程中呈逐渐上升趋势;2种凋落叶N/P比则呈先升高后下降的趋势.无论是分解前期还是分解后期,凋落叶质量损失与N含量均呈显著正相关(前期R=0.877;后期R=0.855),与C/N均呈显著负相关(前期R=-0.735;后期R=-0.697).与尾巨桉林地土壤性质相比,西南桦凋落叶分解提高了林地0~10、10~20 cm土壤的有机C、全N、全P、全K、N/P,对2030 cm土壤有机C、全K、pH值、C/N、N/P则未产生显著影响.相关分析表明:凋落叶初始有机C含量与土壤有机C、全N、全P、全K、N/P显著相关;凋落叶初始全N含量与土壤全N、pH值、C/N显著相关.[结论]凋落叶的养分含量与土壤养分的关系紧密;与尾巨桉相比,西南桦凋落叶的养分含量明显较高,分解速率更快,释放到土壤中的养分也更多.     

模拟外源性氮磷对马占相思凋落叶分解及土壤生化特性的影响

[目的]研究外源性氮和磷对马占相思凋落叶的分解速率、分解过程中N、P、K含量和土壤生化特性的影响,以便为森林土壤养分管理提供参考。[方法]以广东省云勇林场马占相思林下凋落叶为试验材料,采用尼龙网袋分解法,设置对照(CK)、施N(10 g·m~(-2))、施P(5 g·m~(-2))、施N+P(N 10 g·m~(-2)+P 5 g·m~(-2))4种处理,每隔3个月取样1次,并测定凋落叶残留量和N、P、K含量。[结果]表明:施N、P和N+P处理对马占相思凋落叶的分解均为促进作用。各处理马占相思凋落叶的N含量在分解过程中大致保持稳定,施P和N+P处理的凋落叶P含量在分解过程中总体呈波动性上升,而各处理的凋落叶K含量变化规律不明显。施N、P和N+P处理提高了马占相思林土壤的有机质和全N含量,促进脲酶、磷酸酶及过氧化氢酶的活性。[结论]施N、P和N+P处理促进了马占相思凋落叶的分解,有利于马占相思林的养分循环。     

Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Phyllostachys bambusoides and Arundinaria racemosa, India

We investigated decomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaf and sheath litter of two important highland bamboo species (viz. Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. (Zucc.) and Arundinaria racemosa Munro) by using a litter bag technique. Our objective was to improve understanding of the addition of organic matter and nutrients to soil from the litter of two abundant highland bamboo species, species that support the local population of the region in many ways. N concentration and N/P ratio were significantly higher (p<0.01) in leaf litter of P. bambusoides. Significantly, larger values of lignin concentration, C/N ratio, and lignin/N ratio were found in the sheath litter of A racemosa. Weight loss of both leaf and sheath litter was strongly positively correlated with N and N/P ratio, and significantly negatively correlated (p<0.01) with C/N ratio. Lignin/N had a negative correlation with decay rate. In both species, only lignin concentration of the litter showed strong positive correlation with N release. Litter decomposition and N release patterns were similar for the two bamboo species, whereas, P release rate from leaf litter was higher in P. bambusoides and differed significantly between sheath and leaf litter for both species. The complex pattern of nutrient release through mineralization and immobilization during litter decomposition ensures nutrient availability in both managed and natural bamboo stands subjected to anthropogenic disturbances.     

大老岭自然保护区日本落叶松林凋落物分解及养分释放研究

[目的]研究外来引进树种日本落叶松林凋落物对土壤养分的影响。[方法]采用分解袋法分别对18年生和24年生日本落叶松林以及周围针阔混交林凋落物的分解和养分释放规律进行了研究。[结果]凋落物分解和养分释放速率均表现为针阔混交林日本落叶松纯林;24年生日本落叶松林18年生日本落叶松林。其中不同林分的凋落物残留率与时间呈指数相关,凋落物年分解系数(K)也表现为针阔混交林(0.555 6)24年生日本落叶松林(0.445 0)18年生日本落叶松林(0.366 2)。凋落物分解速率与初始N元素含量呈极显著正相关,而与C/N比呈显著负相关,高的木质素含量对凋落物的分解有一定影响。C元素、K元素表现为直接释放模式,而研究中C/N比和C/P比相对较高,使N元素和P元素均表现为先富集后释放的模式。各养分元素的残留率总体呈现出18年生日本落叶松林24年生日本落叶松林针阔混交林的格局。[结论]不同林分凋落物分解和养分释放速率差异较大。凋落物年分解系数表现为针阔混交林24年生日本落叶松林18年生日本落叶松林。     

Properties of humic acids in Mediterranean forest soils (Southern Italy): influence of different plant covering

The chemical and spectroscopic properties of humic acids (HAs) isolated from four litters and their corresponding underlying soils at three depths in a protected forest area in Southern Italy were investigated as a function of four different plant coverings: Quercus ilex L., mixed Carpinus betulus L. and C. orientalis Mill., Pinus halepensis L., and mixed Quercus trojana Webb. and Q. ilex L.. The forested site is a part of a calcareous plateau, characterized by homogeneous soils classified as Eutric Cambisols associated with Calcic Luvisols. The changes in the composition of HAs with soil depth have been evaluated on the basis of chemical (elemental and COOH groups) and spectroscopic analyses (E₄/E₆ ratio and FT IR spectra), and lignin-derived CuO oxidation products. A different distribution of the main elements was found in the various HAs which is apparently related to the type of humic acid-precursor biomolecules in the parent litters. The HAs isolated from soils under Q. ilex and mixed Carpinus species showed a slight increase in the C/H ratio and COOH content downward the soil profile, suggesting increasing aromatic polycondensation and humification degree with depth. On the contrary, no trend was observed for HAs from soils under Pinus halepensis L. and mixed Quercus species, indicating a partial incorporation of residues deriving from litter degradation into these HAs. Further, the content of lignin-derived phenols was higher in Pinus halepensis L. and mixed Quercus species layers, with the same trend measured for the corresponding HAs, thus confirming a lignin contribution related to the lignin type of plant covering.     

Leaf litterfall concentrations and fluxes of elements in deciduous tree species

The influence of tree species and soil properties on leaf litterfall concentrations and fluxes of elements were studied in three mixed deciduous forest stands. Leaf litterfall fluxes of sixteen elements were measured during autumn defoliation in 100 to 150 yr old individuals of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Tilia cordata Mill, and Acer platanoides L. Compared to throughfall and precipitation, leaf litterfall dominated the flux of P, Ca, Mn, N and Mg (in decreasing order) to the soil below the tree canopies. For K and especially S and Na, however, the importance of leaf litterfall input to the total fluxes was small. Fluxes and especially concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, P and partly N were positively related to base saturation of the soil, while Mn was negatively related due to a higher mobilization rate and plant uptake of this element on acid soils. Litterfall fluxes for C. betulus were strongly positively influenced by base saturation and fluxes were usually higher than for F. sylvatica and Q. robur at the richest site. Quercus robur had often the lowest fluxes, especially of Ca and Mg. Tilia cordata had the highest leaf litter concentrations in twelve of the sixteen elements, and the highest fluxes particularly of N and K. Acer platanoides had the highest or among the highest concentrations and fluxes of Ca, Zn and Mn. The concentration of Al in C. betulus leaf litterfall, was about five times higher than in all other tree species at all sites.     

Leaf Litter Decomposition in Diverse Silvopastoral Systems in a Neotropical Environment

ABSTRACT

The intensive cattle production on the Colombian Atlantic coast causes soil degradation and low productivity on pastures. Silvopastoral systems in Colombia are based on introduced species due to a lack of native species knowledge and a cultural trend to overestimate introduced species. It is necessary to study native species in association with the established pastures to increase productivity and to improve soil properties. This research was based on the Sinú River Valley (18 masl), under Tropical dry forest, in Colombia. The aim of this study was to determine changes in nutrient cycling when native trees are incorporated into grassland systems, according to their diversity. Leaf litter decomposition of two grass species and seven forestry native species were evaluated on four experimental blocks. The results showed that residual dry matter decreased over time and facilitated nutrient release associated with species diversity and its interaction. Nutrient liberation was specie-dependent being markedly higher on G. ulmifolia and P. quinata. The concentration of N/P, P, and Mg was significant and had the highest correlation with leaf litter decomposition. The tested decomposition models showed good performance and small significant differences between them, which confirms its reliability to use them under Colombian tropical conditions.     

Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan,India

Litterfall and decomposition are the two main processes accounting for soil enrichment in agroforestry. The extent of enrichment in soil properties depends on the tree species, management practices and the quantity and quality of litter. A field investigation was carried out to study litterfall production, decay rates, release of nutrients and consequent changes in soil physicochemical properties under crowns of four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in irrigated conditions in farm fields. The species were Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Annual accretion of litter ranged from 36 to 54 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ and was highest under D. sissoo and lowest under A. nilotica. Total litterfall production was in the order: P. cineraria > A. leucophloea > A. nilotica > D. sissoo. P. cineraria showed the highest NPK concentration in litter. For all MPTs, a large pulse of litterfall coincided with the winter season (November to February). Litter of P. cineraria decomposed fastest while that of A. nilotica was slowest. More than 95% of the leaf litter of P. cineraria decomposed in 6 months, of D. sissoo in 7 months and A. leucophloea and A. nilotica in 9 months. Decomposition rate of litter was highly correlated with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (r = −0.94) and P (r = −0.91) concentration. N, P and K release were best correlated with NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF), P, lignin, lignin/N and C/P ratios and NDF alone explained 88% to 94% of the variability in litter decomposition and nutrient release rates. There was significant build up of soil organic carbon and available NPK in the agrisilvicultural systems but also a decrease in soil pH. Build up in soil fertility was significantly correlated with litterfall and soil improvement was greatest under P. cineraria.     

Interactions in decomposition and N mineralization between tropical legume residue components

In situ produced plant residues contain a mixture of different plant components of varying quality. To assess synergistic or antagonistic interactions occurring during the decomposition and mineralization of such mixtures, individual plant parts (stems, leaves, leaf litter and roots) or the mixture of stems, leaves and leaf litter of the agroforestry species pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) or of crop residues of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) or of the weed hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta) were incubated in pots for 19 weeks. Periodically, remaining plant residues were sieved out (>2 mm), weighed and N content as well as soil mineral N determined. Above- and below-ground residues of peanut decomposed fastest and showed the largest N release in agreement with their high N concentration and low-acid detergent fibre (ADF) : N ratio. Hairy indigo was hypothesized to be of lower quality than pigeonpea because of its high-polyphenol content. However, it decomposed faster than pigeonpea, largely because of the higher N and lower lignin concentration of its components. Ranking of individual plant components for N mineralization resulted in the following pattern, leaves > leaf litter > roots > stems. In mixtures of the different plant components a similar species order in decomposition was obtained, e.g. peanut > hairy indigo > pigeonpea. The amount of N released from the mixture was dominated by stem material that comprised 46–61% of the mixture. The interactions in mixtures were relatively small for peanut (generally high-quality components) as well as for pigeonpea (low proportion of high-quality components, i.e. N rich leaf material). However, a positive interaction occurred during later stages of N mineralization in the mixture of hairy indigo as it had a significant proportion of N rich components and absence of highly reactive polyphenols. Thus, for plants with low to intermediate chemical quality attributes, manipulating plant composition (e.g. by varying harvest age, affecting stem and leaf proportions) will be important to obtain significant interactions during decomposition when its components are mixed.     

毛竹和林下植被芒箕凋落物分解特征研究

[目的]探讨竹林与其林下植被凋落物叶之间相互影响的潜在机制,为合理经营管理毛竹林林下植被提供理论参考。[方法]采用原位分解袋法研究了四川长宁毛竹与林下植被芒箕凋落物叶分解和养分释放过程。[结果](1)芒箕凋落物叶初始C、N、P含量和羟基碳高于毛竹(P 0. 05),而C∶N、C∶P、烷基碳、氧烷基碳和芳香碳低于毛竹(P 0. 05)。(2)凋落物叶分解和养分释放速率芒箕整体高于毛竹,芒箕和毛竹分解常数(k)分别为0. 58±0. 03和0. 73±0. 02,C、N、P养分释放均表现为净释放。(3)凋落物叶混合对分解速率没有显著影响,但抑制了N、P元素整个分解周期和C元素中后期的释放。(4)凋落物叶分解过程中元素含量变化格局表现为C含量和C∶N比整体呈下降趋势,N含量和N∶P比有小幅上升,P含量有微弱的下降趋势,C∶P比呈波动性变化。(5)凋落物叶分解速率与土壤温度、初始凋落物叶N和P含量呈显著正相关(P 0. 01),与初始凋落物叶的C∶N和C∶P呈极显著负相关(P 0. 01),与土壤含水量相关不显著。[结论]单独分解过程中,毛竹凋落物叶分解速率低于林下植被芒箕,养分释放特征均表现为直接释放;混合分解过程中,毛竹和芒箕凋落物叶分解速率无显著混和效应,但养分释放的混合效应表现出一定负效应和不同阶段性。     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (L.) damage on litter quality and decomposition rates of Oriental Spruce [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea Orientalis</Emphasis> (L.) Link.] in Hatila Valley National Park,Turkey

This study investigated the effects of Ips typographus (L.) damage on initial litter quality parameters and subsequent decomposition rates of oriental spruce tree species [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]. The needle litter was collected from highly damaged, moderately damaged and control stands on two aspects (north and south) and two slope position (top and bottom) on each aspect. The litter was analyzed for initial total carbon, lignin and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese) concentrations. The variability in nitrogen and calcium concentrations and ratios of C:N, lignin:N and lignin:Ca was significantly affected by the insect damaged levels. While nitrogen concentrations in needle litter increased with increasing insect damage (and consequently the ratios of C:N and lignin:N decreased), calcium concentrations decreased (and consequently the ratio of lignin:Ca increased). Aspect and slope positions explained most of the variability in carbon, lignin, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese concentrations and lignin:P ratio between all studied stands. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litter from highly damaged stands showed highest decomposition rates followed by moderately damaged and control stands. The mass loss rates were significantly positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentration and negatively with C:N and lignin:N ratios. The effects of microclimate resulting from canopy damage on litter decomposition was also examined at the same time using standard litter with the same litter quality parameters, but they showed no significant differences among the insect damage levels indicating that alteration of the litter quality parameters produced by I. typographus damage played a more important role than altered microclimate in controlling needle litter decomposition rates. However, changes in microclimate factors due to topography influenced decomposition rates.     

不同种植年限尾巨桉人工林叶片-凋落物-土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征

[目的]为了解雷州半岛尾巨桉速生人工林生态系统的C、N、P分配格局及化学计量特征。[方法]采用空间换时间的方法,选取雷州半岛4种不同林龄(1、3、5、7 a)的尾巨桉人工林为研究对象,对尾巨桉叶片、凋落物及土壤的C、N、P含量及化学计量特征进行测定分析。[结果]表明:C、N含量表现为叶片凋落物土壤,P含量表现为叶片土壤凋落物,且3个库间差异显著;土壤的C含量随林龄增加而增加,N、P含量差异不显著,土壤C∶N随林龄的增加而增加,说明土壤有机质分解速率逐渐下降;凋落物的C∶N为54. 07 92. 18 ( 25),表明尾巨桉林下凋落物分解速率较慢,N元素成为主要限制凋落物分解的元素,凋落物的C∶N随林龄的增加先增加后下降,凋落物分解速度先降低后升高;叶片的N∶P为10. 80 12. 98,说明中幼林龄尾巨桉受N限制较明显。相关性分析表明:凋落物养分元素含量受叶片限制,土壤养分含量受凋落物限制,表明生态系统内部C、N、P元素在植物、凋落物与土壤之间实现了运输和转换。[结论]雷州半岛尾巨桉中、幼林龄时期土壤有机质及凋落物分解速率较慢;随林龄的增加,土壤有机质、凋落物分解速率下降,N元素成为其主要分解限制性元素,林分生长受N限制明显。     

Antagonistic effects of species on C respiration and net N mineralization in soils from mixed coniferous plantations

Mixtures of litter from different plant species often show non-additive effects on decomposition and net N release (i.e., observed effects in mixtures differ from predictions based on litter of the component species), with positive non-additive (i.e., synergistic effects) being most common. Although large amounts of C and N reside in soil organic matter that contribute significantly to the overall C and N cycle, only a few studies have compared species monoculture vs. mixture effects on soil C and N dynamics. We studied the interactive effects of black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix laricina), and white pine (Pinus strobus) on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in a plantation in northern Minnesota, USA. The trees were planted in monoculture and in all three possible two-species combinations (mixtures). After 10 years, we measured aboveground plant biomass and soil C respiration and net N mineralization rates in long-term (266 days) and short-term (13 days) laboratory incubations, respectively. Soil C respiration and net N mineralization were significantly lower in mixtures with tamarack than would be predicted from the monocultures of the two component species. Possibly, mixing of lignin rich litter from black spruce or white pine with N rich litter from tamarack suppressed the formation of lignolytic enzymes or formed complexes highly resistant to microbial degradation. However, these antagonistic effects on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in mixtures with tamarack did not result in reduced aboveground biomass in these plots after 10 years of growth. It remains to be seen if these antagonistic effects will affect long-term forest productivity and dynamics in boreal forests.     

Cardamom, mandarin and nitrogen-fixing trees in agroforestry systems in India's Himalayan region. I. Litterfall and decomposition

Litterfall and decomposition were studied in agroforestry systems involving large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata) in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. There were stands with N₂-fixing trees (Alnus nepalensis over large cardamom, and Albizia stipulata over mandarin agroforestry) or without them (native non-symbiotic mixed tree species) in both systems. The total annual litter (litter + crop residue) production was higher in the Alnus-cardamom than in the forest-cardamom stand and in the mandarin than in the Albizia-mandarin stand. The ratio of litter production to floor litter was higher in the N₂-fixing stands than in the non-N₂-fixing stands, indicating a faster litter turnover in the former. Tree litterfall occurred throughout the year, but with marked peaks during November to April. Total soluble polyphenolics of fresh litter were higher in N₂-fixing species than in mixed tree species and crops. Half-life values for ash-free mass were shortest in the leaves of N₂-fixing species. N loss was higher from N₂-fixing Alnus and Albizia leaves, whereas P loss was faster and nearly equal in Alnus leaf litter and cardamom residue in cardamom, and Albizia leaf litter and crop residue in mandarin agroforestry systems. The P turnover in N₂-fixing Alnus and Albizia twigs was faster than in the twigs of mixed tree species. The N₂-fixing tree species increased the N and P cycling through production of more above-ground litter and influenced greater release of these nutrients.     

Properties of dissolved organic matter in forest soils: Influence of different plant covering

The nature of different forest plant litters and the effect of their degradation processes on the properties of soil dissolved organic matter is a very important environmental issue in protected areas such as the “Natural Oriented Reserve Bosco delle Pianelle” in Southern Italy, Chemical and spectroscopic techniques were used to evaluate the influence of four different tree covers on the properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) isolated from litter and surface soil layers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that all litter samples feature a prevalent aromatic character. Ligninolitic components of litters produced by Pinus halepensis L. and a mixture of Quercus trojana Webb. and Q. ilex L. were more degraded than those produced by either Q. ilex or a mixture of Carpinus betulus L. and C. orientalis Miller. The larger C/N ratios of the former litters might account for the greater degradation. Further, a lesser lignin decomposition was shown also for the latter samples, likely due to adverse topographical factors, such as less intense sunlight and greater moisture content. Spectroscopic analysis of litter DOM showed that easily degraded components, such as water-soluble compounds and carbohydrates, were preferentially degraded resulting in DOM that was enriched in lignin-derived compounds. Fluorescence analysis data of all litter DOM samples showed the occurrence of fluorescent units qualitatively similar regardless of plant covering, which suggests that in all cases simple structural components of low-molecular weight and small degree of aromatic polycondensation and content of conjugated chromophores are present. Soil DOM featured several numerous fluorescent units that differ as a function of the parent litter and/or its decomposition processes. Along the soil profiles water-soluble aliphatic compounds of low-molecular weight are found down to the deepest layer, whereas aromatic–ligninolitic compounds are decreasing with depth, probably because of their adsorption by mineral soil components. A greater amount of aromatic units, likely lignin-derived compounds, was found in the DOM from P. halepensis L., which suggested a more extended lignin decomposition. Further, with increasing soil depth, DOM was characterized by a decrease of low-molecular weight organic molecules and lower degree of humification.     

Decomposition Dynamics and Nutrient Release Pattern from Leaf Litters of Five Commonly Occurring Homegarden Tree Species in Mizoram,India

Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release patterns from five common multipurpose tree species—viz., Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Areca catechu, Citrus sp., and Tamarindus indica, found in homegardens of Mizoram—were evaluated using a litter bag technique. The result of the study indicates a varying pattern of decomposition and nutrient release (N&P) among the species. Citrus sp. and T. indica were found to be the most labile species with comparatively much higher decay constant and faster nutrient release. Initial nitrogen concentration, lignin content, and lignin/N ratio of foliage litter showed significantly higher (p < .01) correlation with the decay coefficient and were found to be the important determinants in the decay process. The initial slow release and immobilization of N in A. heterophyllus and M. indica leaf litter reflect their potential as a source of nitrogen storage and effective mulching material. While litter from T. indica and Citrus sp. can provide the short-term nutrient need, foliage for the other three species may supply the long-term nutrient requirement for the understory crops in such agroforestry systems.