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Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release Pattern in Madhupur Forest Soils of Bangladesh

Dipa Dey
Department of Applied Bioresource Sciences Faculty of Agriculture Kochi University Monobe B 200 Nankoku 783-8502 Japan

P.K. Sarker
Department of Aquatic chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University, B 200 Monobe, Nankoku, 783-8502, Japan

K.M. Mohiuddin
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M.A.H. Chowdhury
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted at the department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from September, 2003 to April, 2004 to monitor the decomposition and subsequent nutrient release pattern from some leaf litters in Madhupur forest soil of Bangladesh. Leaf litters viz. Teak (Tecktona grandis), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Sal (Shorea robusta) and Acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) were added to the soil @ 2g 100^-1g soil. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Among the litters, teak showed the highest decomposition rate and sal the lowest rate while that of eucalyptus and acacia were intermediate. After 60 days of incubation, 21, 22, 17 and 29% of the added carbon were decomposed from teak, eucalyptus, sal and acacia amended soil, respectively. Decomposition of litters was also found to be related to their nutrient status (C, N, P and S ratios). The rate of decomposition of leaf litter was of the order teak > eucalyptus > acacia > sal. It was also observed that addition of leaf litters irrespective of their types substantially decreased the acidity of the soil. The release of N (NH₄-N and N0₃-N) and P from the litter followed the similar order of decomposition. However, the release of K in to the available pool was higher in sal and acacia than other amendments. A considerable amount of S in contrast, was released from acacia and eucalyptus amended soil at day 5. S mineralization followed by a marked immobilization was also observed particularly in the teak and sal amended soil. The exchangeable Ca and Mg were highest in acacia leaf litter treated soils followed by teak, eucalyptus and sal amendments.

Keywords: Forest soil, Leaf litter, Decomposition, Nutrient release

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Manures

Objectives:

To find the decomposition rate along with the release of nutrients from the leaf litters of few important economic tree species of Madhupur sal forest soil of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

In order to conduct the study, Madhupur sal forest of Tangail district was selected. The selected forest covered an area of 154.18 sq. km. The soil consists of characteristics clays commonly called "Madhupur clay'' of Pleistocene origin. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications. Soil samples were collected from some selected spots at a depth of 0-15 em. After removing the weeds and stubbles, they were kept in polythene bags. Immediately after collection un-decomposed plant materials were removed by hand and the soil was sieved (<2mm). Samples were conditioned aerobically at room temperature and at 40% water holding capacity (WHC) for 10 days. Immediately after conditioning the soil was used for the experiment.Teak (Tecktona grandis) , Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Sal (Shorea robusta) and Acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) litters were collected from fifteen selected locations of Madhupur sal forest. Ground leaf litters were added to the soil @ 2g 100 g^-1 soil (dry weight basis) and placed in a 100 mL glass jar. Leaf litter extracts were prepared in HN0₃ - HCI0₄ mixture. pH of the soil samples was determined by glass electrode pH meter as described by Ghosh eta/. (1983). Organic C of each soil sample was determined by Walkley and Black's wet oxidation method and the organic matter content of the soil was calculated. Total N content in soil was determined by modified Kjeldahl method. Mineral N (NH₄⁺-N and N0₃--N) was determined by steam distillation method. Available soil P was extracted with 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate solution (Olsen et al., 1954) and develop blue colour by SnCl₂reduction and measured the colour colorimetrically at 660 nm (Black, 1965). Exchangeable K was determined with the help of a flame emission spectrophotometer. Available S was determined from CaCI₂ (0.15%) extract by colorimetric BaCI₂ precipitation method where as Ca and Mg were determined by complexometric method of titration using Na₂- EDTA. Collected data were statistically analyzed by a computer using statistical package programme MSTAT-C.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Sci. 33(1): 99-109, January, 2006

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Among the litters, teak showed the highest decomposition rate and sal the lowest rate while that of eucalyptus and acacia were intermediate. After 60 days of incubation, 21, 22, 17 and 29% of the added carbon were decomposed from teak, eucalyptus, sal and acacia amended soil, respectively. Decomposition of litters was also found to be related to their nutrient status (C, N, P and S ratios). The rate of decomposition of leaf litter was of the order teak > eucalyptus > acacia > sal. It was also observed that addition of leaf litters irrespective of their types substantially decreased the acidity of the soil. The release of N (NH₄-N and N0₃-N) and P from the litter followed the similar order of decomposition. However, the release of K in to the available pool was higher in sal and acacia than other amendments. A considerable amount of S in contrast, was released from acacia and eucalyptus amended soil at day 5. S mineralization followed by a marked immobilization was also observed particularly in the teak and sal amended soil.

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