A. Verma, P. Kumar, M. L. Soni, Navraten Pawar, Upendra Pradhan, S. Tanwar, Shrawan Kumar
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
ABSTRACT Litterfall production, decomposition and nutrient release was investigated for three prominent agroforestry tree species, Prosopis cineraria, Tecomella undulata and Hardwickia binata, grown in the arid western region of India. The highest litterfall was recorded for H. binata (9.44 Mg ha−l y−1) followed by P. cineraria (8.94 Mg ha−l y−1) and T. undulata (3.74 Mg ha−l y−1). It took 15, 12 and 9 months for decomposition of 90% of the litter of H. binata, P. cineraria and T. undulata, respectively. Regression analysis showed that rainfall and air temperature had significant impacts on the decomposition process. Soil moisture and soil microbial biomass carbon showed high correlations (R2 > 0.70, p < 0.01) with litter decay. The rate of release of N (k N = 0.0014, surface (0–15 cm); k N = 0.0015, sub-surface (15–30 cm)) and K (k K = 0.0041, surface; k K = 0.0047, sub-surface) was highest from P. cineraria, whereas release rates of P were statistically equivalent for all species. N release from the decomposing litter increased initially, but then decreased as decomposition progressed. Concentrations of P, K and Mg in the litter decreased throughout the decomposition, with some fluctuations in P and Mg for P. cineraria and H. binata at the later stage. Ca release did not follow any specific trend. P. cineraria, with considerable amounts of litterfall, the highest nutrient inputs to the soil and the most rapid release of nutrients during the decomposition, was concluded to facilitate greater fertility build-up of the soil compared with the other two species.
期刊介绍:
Biological Agriculture & Horticulture aims to act as the central focus for a wide range of studies into alternative systems of husbandry, and particularly the biological or organic approach to food production. The Journal publishes work of a sound scientific or economic nature related to any aspect of biological husbandry in agriculture, horticulture and forestry in both temperate and tropical conditions, including energy and water utilization, and environmental impact.