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P, K and Na Leaching from Leaf Litter of Melia Azedarach (linn.)

Md. Mahedi Hasan
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Mahmood Hossain*
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Sharif Hasan Limon
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Md. Sanaul Islam
1. Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh 2. Soil Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Md. Nurul Islam
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Cations leaching from leaf litter of Melia azedarach (Linn.) was studied in laboratory. About 37% of initial dry weight of leaf litter was lost after 72 hours. Conductivity and total dissolved solid (TDS) of the leached water significantly (p<0.05) increased to 475 µS cm-1 and 227 mg l-1, respectively. pH of the leached water dropped to 5.64 at the end of the experiment. Conductivity and TDS showed significant (p<0.05, r=0.99) positive linear relationships with the weight loss of leaf litter. The concentration of P, K and Na in leaf litter significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 24 µg g-1, 2247 µg g-1 and 900 µg g-1, respectively and PO4, K and Na in leached water significantly (p<0.05) increased to 0.16 ppm, 5.44 ppm and 5.58 ppm, respectively. Nutrients (P, K and Na) in leaf litter showed significant (p<0.05, ranged from -0.92 to -0.99) negative relationship with weight loss. But, nutrients (PO4, K and Na) in leached water showed a significant (p<0.05, ranged from 0.90 to 0.98) positive linear relationship with the leaching time.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Nutrient return, Phosphorus, potassium, Sodium

Location: Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Manures

Objectives:

Information on nutrient leaching from leaf litter of different tree species will facilitate to incorporate the nutrient return efficient species with agricultural crops to maximize the total productivity in agroforestry. So, the present study aimed to assess the pattern of weight loss and P, K and Na leaching from the leaf litter of M. azedarach, being the prominent tree species used in agroforestry.

Methodology:

Experimental setup: Senescent leaves were picked from trees and air-dried at room temperature for one week. Leaves were then thoroughly mixed and 35 samples (2 g each) were prepared. Thirty samples were placed in 30 beakers (500 ml). Distilled water (200 ml) was poured into each beaker and HgCl2 was added at the concentration of 50 mg l-1 to prevent the fungal decay (McLachlan, 1971; Otsuki and Wetzel, 1974). Five samples were kept into the oven at 80 °C until constant weight to calculate the air-dry to the oven-dry conversion factor.

Sample collection and measurements: Three replicates of leaf samples (2 g each) were collected at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. These samples were than rinsed in distilled water and ovendried at 80 °C until constant weight. The oven-dried samples were then weight to calculate the weight loss (%) due to leaching from the initial converted oven-dried weight. The samples were processed according to Allen (1974), conductivity (µS cm-1), total dissolved solid (TDS) (mg l-1) and pH of leached water sample were measured by a conductivity and TDS meter manufactured by Ciba-Corning Diagnostic Ltd., England and a temperature compensated pH meter manufactured by Ciba-Corning Diagnostic Ltd., respectively.

Nutrients in leaf litter and leached water: The processed leaf samples (0.1 g each) were acid digested according to Allen (1974). Potassium and Na concentration in extracts of leaf samples and leached water samples of different time intervals were measured by flame photometer (PFP7, Jenway LTD., England). While, P concentration in extracts of leaf samples and PO4 in leached water samples were measured according to Timothy et al. (1984) by using UV-Visible Recording Spectrophotometer (SHIMADZU, UV160A, JAPAN).

Statistical analysis: Percentage of weight losses at different time intervals of leaching process were transformed to arcsine. Conductivity, total dissolve solid (TDS), pH, PO4, K and Na concentration of leached water samples and P, K and Na concentration in leaf litter at different time interval were compared by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using SAS 6.12. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted among weight loss (%); conductivity and TDS of leached water; nutrients in leaf litter and leached water; and leaching time intervals by using SAS 6.12.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies, 7(2): 59-64, 2006

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The amount of nutrient addition to the soil is the combined action of leaching and decomposition of litter, which might ensure the sustainability of soil fertility. In this study, the knowledge of K, P and Na leaching from the leaf litter might help the agroforestry practitioners to add a new criterion to choose potential tree species for their farming system. For limited lab facility and time constraints, other important nutrients could not be measured. However, to get a complete picture about the cations release efficiency, the decomposition of leaf litter of this species should be investigated.

Knowledge Management: Journal