Cardamom, mandarin and nitrogen-fixing trees in agroforestry systems in India's Himalayan region. I. Litterfall and decomposition |
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Authors: | R. Sharma E. Sharma A. N. Purohit |
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Affiliation: | (1) G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Sikkim Unit, P. O. Tadong, 737 102 Sikkim, India;(2) High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre, H.N.B. Garhwal University, U.P.-246 174 Srinagar (Garhwal), India |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Albizia stipulata Alnus nepalensis mass loss soluble polyphenols turnover time |
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