Contrasting decomposition rates and nutrient release patterns in mixed vs singular species litter in agroforestry systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yikun Wang ◽  
Scott X. Chang ◽  
Shengzuo Fang ◽  
Ye Tian
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Decomposition Rates

scholarly journals Decomposition and nutrient release from the mixed leaf litter of three agroforestry species in the Sudanian zone of West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Cissé ◽  
Salifou Traoré ◽  
Babou André Bationo
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Detarium Microcarpum ◽  
Biomass Management ◽  
Sudanian Zone ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractThis study was carried out to determine the rates of decomposition and nutrient release from pure and mixed leaf litter samples of three agroforestry species (Azolla africana Desv., Detarium microcarpum Guill. and Perr. and Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn.) that have potential use as green manure. Litterbags containing a total of 5 g of pure and mixed leaf litter of different quality levels were incubated under field conditions from July to November in 2017. Litter decomposition and nutrient release (N, P, and K) rates were assessed in each litterbag. The decomposition rate (k) indicated that pure A. africana litter decomposed faster (k = 0.406 week−1) than its mixture with V. paradoxa (k = 0.114 week−1) and D. microcarpum (k = 0.103 week−1). The slowest decomposition rates were found for the pure D. microcarpum (k = 0.075 week−1) and V. paradoxa (k = 0.071 week−1) leaf litters. Mixing with A. africana litter increased the decomposition rate of both D. microcarpum and V. paradoxa leaf litter. We conclude that mixing litter of different quality can accelerate the decomposition of pure litter with poor quality and represents a practical biomass management option for farmers to improve nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems.

scholarly journals Balancing litterfall and decomposition in cacao agroforestry systems

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rika Ratna Sari ◽  
Danaë M. A. Rozendaal ◽  
Danny Dwi Saputra ◽  
Kurniatun Hairiah ◽  
James M. Roshetko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Standing Litter ◽  
Underlying Soil

Abstract Backgrounds and aims Litter protects the underlying soil, depending on litterfall and decomposition, but dynamics of the standing litter stock in agroforestry systems remain poorly understood. We aimed to unravel effects of litter quality, temporal patterns, microclimate, and a possible home-field advantage (HFA) on standing litter dynamics across a land-use gradient. Methods We quantified litterfall, the standing litter stock, and microclimate during a year in (remnant) forest, cacao-based simple and complex agroforestry, cacao monocultures, and annual crops in a cacao producing area in Indonesia. We conducted a reciprocal litter transfer experiment, and tested decomposition rates of pruning residues. Standing litter stocks during the year were estimated from monthly litterfall and decomposition rates. Results Variation in litter quality influenced decomposition rates more strongly than variation in microclimate or HFA. Lower litter quality in complex agroforestry and in the cacao monoculture decreased the decay rate compared to simple agroforestry systems; mean litter residence time was over a year. Mixing high- and low-quality material in pruning residues modified the decomposition rate, soil C and N changes, offering options for targeted management of soil protection and nutrient release. Conclusions The seasonal patterns of litterfall and relatively slow decomposition rates supported permanence of the litter layer in all cacao production systems, protecting the underlying soil.

scholarly journals How nutrient rich are decaying cocoa pod husks? The kinetics of nutrient leaching

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.-G. J. M. Hougni ◽  
A. G. T. Schut ◽  
L. S. Woittiez ◽  
B. Vanlauwe ◽  
K. E. Giller
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Nutrient Leaching ◽  
Intense Rainfall ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Rainfall Frequency ◽  
Water Saturated ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Cocoa Pod Husks

Abstract Aim Recycling of cocoa pod husks has potential to contribute to mineral nutrition of cocoa. Yet little is known of the nutrient content and nutrient release patterns from the husks. The potassium (K) rich husks are usually left in heaps in cocoa plantations in Africa. We aimed to understand and quantify release patterns of K and other nutrients from husks under varying rainfall regimes and assessed the effects of partial decomposition and inundation on nutrient leaching rates. Methods We incubated chunks of cocoa pod husks to assess decomposition rates and we measured nutrient leaching rates from two sets of husk chunks: one set was placed in tubes that were submitted to simulated scheduled rainfall events while the second set was continuously inundated in beakers. Results Decomposition of husks followed a second-order exponential curve (k: 0.09 day−1; ageing constant: 0.43). Nutrient losses recorded within 25 days were larger and more variable for K (33%) than for other macronutrients released in this order: Mg > Ca ≈ P > N (less than 15%). Potassium leaching was mainly driven by rainfall frequency (P < 0.05) and reinforced by intense rainfall, especially at lower frequency. Under water-saturated conditions, 11% of K was leached out within 48 h from fresh husks compared with 92% from partially decayed husks. Conclusion Some initial decomposition of cocoa pod husks is required to expose K to intense leaching. As decomposition progresses, abundant K losses are to be expected under frequent and/or intense rainfall events.

scholarly journals Leaf litter decomposition rates increase with rising mean annual temperature in Hawaiian tropical montane wet forests

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori D Bothwell ◽  
Paul C Selmants ◽  
Christian P Giardina ◽  
Creighton M. Litton
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Leaf Litter Decomposition ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Litter Decay ◽  
Wet Forests

Decomposing litter in forest ecosystems supplies nutrients to plants, carbon to heterotrophic soil microorganisms and is a large source of CO2 to the atmosphere. Despite its essential role in carbon and nutrient cycling, the temperature sensitivity of leaf litter decay in tropical forest ecosystems remains poorly resolved, especially in tropical montane wet forests where the warming trend may be amplified compared to tropical wet forests at lower elevations. We quantified leaf litter decomposition rates along a highly constrained 5.2 °C mean annual temperature (MAT) gradient in tropical montane wet forests on the Island of Hawaii. Dominant vegetation, substrate type and age, soil moisture, and disturbance history are all nearly constant across this gradient, allowing us to isolate the effect of rising MAT on leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release. Leaf litter decomposition rates were a positive linear function of MAT, causing the residence time of leaf litter on the forest floor to decline by ~31 days for each 1 °C increase in MAT. Our estimate of the Q10 temperature coefficient for leaf litter decomposition was 2.17, within the commonly reported range for heterotrophic organic matter decomposition (1.5 – 2.5) across a broad range of ecosystems. The percentage of leaf litter nitrogen (N) remaining after six months declined linearly with increasing MAT from ~ 88% of initial N at the coolest site to ~74% at the warmest site. The lack of net N immobilization during all three litter collection periods at all MAT plots indicates that N was not limiting to leaf litter decomposition, regardless of temperature. These results suggest that leaf litter decay in tropical montane wet forests may be more sensitive to rising MAT than in tropical lowland wet forests, and that increased rates of N release from decomposing litter could delay or prevent progressive N limitation to net primary productivity with climate warming.

scholarly journals Nutrient dynamics in decomposing litter from four selected tree species in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Okoh ◽  
Esther Edu
Keyword(s):  
Exposure Time ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Accumulation Index ◽  
Carbon Retention ◽  
Vitex Doniana

Abstract Background Nutrient release during litter decomposition was investigated in Vitex doniana, Terminalia avecinioides, Sarcocephallus latifolius, and Parinari curatellifolius in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria (January 10 to March 10 and from June 10 to August 10, 2016). Leaf decomposition was measured as loss in mass of litter over time using the decay model Wt/W0 = e−kd t, while $$ \mathrm{Kd}=-\frac{1}{t} In\left(\frac{Wt}{W0}\right) $$Kd=−1tInWtW0 was used to evaluate decomposition rate. Time taken for half of litter to decompose was measured using T50 = ln 2/k; while nutrient accumulation index was evaluated as NAI =$$ \left(\frac{\omega t\ Xt}{\omega \mathrm{o}X\mathrm{o}}\right). $$ωtXtωoXo. Results Average mass of litter remaining after exposure ranged from 96.15 g, (V. doniana) to 78.11 g, (S. lafolius) in dry (November to March) and wet (April to October) seasons. Decomposition rate was averagely faster in the wet season (0.0030) than in the dry season (0.0022) with P. curatellifolius (0.0028) and T. avecinioides (0.0039) having the fastest decomposition rates in dry and wet seasons. Mean residence time (days) ranged from 929 to 356, while the time (days) for half the original mass to decompose ranged from 622 to 201 (dry and wet seasons). ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.01) in decomposition rates and exposure time (days) and a significant interaction (p < 0.05) between species and exposure time in both seasons. Conclusion Slow decomposition in the plant leaves implied carbon retention in the ecosystem and slow release of CO2 back to the atmosphere, while nitrogen was mineralized in both seasons. The plants therefore showed effectiveness in nutrient cycling and support productivity in the ecosystem.

Decomposition and nutrient release in leaves of Atlantic Rainforest tree species used in agroforestry systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 835-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edivânia M. G. Duarte ◽  
Irene M. Cardoso ◽  
Thomas Stijnen ◽  
Maria Alice F. C. Mendonça ◽  
Marino S. Coelho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Atlantic Rainforest

Decomposition and potential nitrogen fixation in Dicranopteris linearis litter on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Russell ◽  
Peter M. Vitousek
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Mauna Loa ◽  
Elevational Range ◽  
Dicranopteris Linearis ◽  
Slow Decomposition

ABSTRACTAs a consequence of its relatively high productivity in primary successional sites on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, the mat-forming fern Dicranopteris linearis can influence attributes of soil detrital pools. Decomposition, nutrient release and rates of asymbiotic N fixation in Dicranopteris litter were determined over an elevational range of oligotrophic sites. ‘Hot spots’ of nitrogen fixation occurred in Dicranopteris litter, as evidenced by acetylene reduction rates as high as 22 nmol g−1 h−1. However, potential N fixation rates for the entire litter mass were 0–0.1 g m−2 y−1, less than other N inputs such as rainfall. Dicranopteris' decomposition rates were low compared to other tropical species, even under high temperature and rainfall conditions, with ≥50% of the original leaf and >77%of the stem mass remaining after 2 y of decomposition. Slow decomposition was related to high ligninrnitrogen ratios (56–129) in litter and above-ground positioning of unabscised, decomposing litter. As a result of its slow decomposition rates, Dicranopteris is an major contributor to soil detrital pools. Aggradation of the detrital pool is an important process whereby nutrients are accrued within these ecosystems. Consequently, Dicranopteris exerts an important influence on soil genesis and ecosystem development during primary succession on pahoehoe lava.

scholarly journals Decomposition and nutrient release of leguminous green manure species in the Jaguaribe-Apodi region, Ceará, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 970-975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natanael Santiago Pereira ◽  
Ismail Soares ◽  
Fábio Rodrigues de Miranda
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Release Rates ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
Crotalaria Juncea ◽  
Dolichos Lablab ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Crotalaria Spectabilis

ABSTRACT: The use of leguminous green manure can be an alternative for the region agricultural systems due to its ability to incorporate significant amounts of nutrients into the soil through decomposition and nutrient release from biomass. This study aimed to evaluate the decomposition rates and nutrient release of six leguminous green manure species ( Crotalaria juncea , Canavalia ensiformes , Cajanus cajan , Crotalaria spectabilis , Dolichos lablab and Mucuna deeringiana ) in an area of the Jaguaribe-Apodi agricultural region, Brazil. Experiment was carried out under field conditions in a randomized block design with five replications. Decomposition and nutrient release from leguminous biomass were monitored by sampling at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after installing litter bags. In general, Crotalaria spectabilis and Canavalia ensiformes showed higher decomposition and nutrient release rates and they are the most promising for the region in the conditions of this study. However, for greater persistence of residues in the soil, Crotalaria juncea is more recommended.

scholarly journals Decomposition and Nutrient Release Dynamics of Ficus benghalensis L. Litter in Traditional Agroforestry Systems of Karnataka, Southern India

ISRN Forestry ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Dhanya ◽  
Syam Viswanath ◽  
Seema Purushothaman
Keyword(s):  
Lignin Content ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Litter Bag ◽  
Litter Mass ◽  
Agroclimatic Zone ◽  
Ficus Benghalensis ◽  
Rainfed Farming ◽  
Traditional Agroforestry

Decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of leaf litter of Ficus benghalensis, a common agroforestry species in southern dry agroclimatic zone of Karnataka, were studied using the standard litter bag technique in surface and subsurface methods of application. Results revealed a marginally higher rate of decay in subsurface placement (22.5% of initial litter mass remaining after one year of decomposition) compared to surface treatment (28.3% of initial litter mass remaining). Litter quality (lignin content and lignin/N ratio) and climatic and soil conditions of the study site (monthly rainfall and soil moisture) were found to influence the rate of decomposition. Mineralisation of litter was found to be in the order K > N > P. The paper further discusses the implications of these results for rainfed farming in Mandya and emphasises the potential of F. benghalensis in reducing nutrient input costs for resource-poor dryland farmers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document