Leaf litter decomposition of Piper aduncum, Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea
TL;DR: Piper leaf litter is a significant and easily decomposable source of K which is an important nutrient for sweet potato and the decomposition and nutrient release patterns had significant effects on the soil.
Abstract: No information is available on the decomposition and nutrient release pattern of Piper aduncum and Imperata cylindrica despite their importance in shifting cultivation systems of Papua New Guinea and other tropical regions. We conducted a litter bag study (24 weeks) on a Typic Eutropepts in the humid lowlands to assess the rate of decomposition of Piper aduncum, Imperata cylindrica and Gliricidia sepium leaves under sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Decomposition rates of piper leaf litter were fastest followed closely by gliricidia, and both lost 50% of the leaf biomass within 10 weeks. Imperata leaf litter decomposed much slower and half-life values exceeded the period of observation. The decomposition patterns were best explained by the lignin plus polyphenol over N ratio which was lowest for piper (4.3) and highest for imperata (24.7). Gliricidia leaf litter released 79 kg N ha(-1), whereas 18 kg N ha(-1) was immobilised in the imperata litter. The mineralization of P was similar for the three species, but piper litter released large amounts of K. The decomposition and nutrient release patterns had significant effects on the soil. The soil contained significantly more water in the previous imperata plots at 13 weeks due to the relative slow decomposition of the leaves. Soil N levels were significantly reduced in the previous imperata plots due to immobilisation of N. Levels of exchangeable K were significantly increased in the previous piper plots due to the large addition of K. It can be concluded that piper leaf litter is a significant and easily decomposable source of K which is an important nutrient for sweet potato. Gliricidia leaf litter contained much N, whereas imperata leaf litter releases relatively little nutrients and keeps the soil more moist. Gliricidia fallow is more attractive than an imperata fallow for it improves the soil fertility and produces fuelwood as additional saleable products.
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TL;DR: The study showed that application of green manures increased vegetative, yield and yield parameters and were comparable with application of NPK fertilizer while there was a significant increase in the nutritional composition of radish withApplication of greenManures when compared with NPK and control.
Abstract: Field experiments were carried out during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State (latitude 8.9°N and longitude 50°61 E.), Nigeria, to study the effect of some green manures as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield, mineral and proximate composition of radish. Green manure composed of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina and Chromolaena odorata and were applied as follows: 10 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 0 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T1), 7.5 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 2.5 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T2), 5.0 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 5.0 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T3), 2.5 tonnes ha−1 Vernonia + 7.5 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T4), 0 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 10 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T5) while in-organic fertilizer (NPK 20:10:10) was applied at 200 kg NPK ha−1 (T6) and there was a control plot (T7). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated four times. Vegetative, yield and quality parameters of radish were taken. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis Software (S.A.S), 2000. Treatment means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 0.05 level of probability. The study showed that application of green manures increased vegetative, yield and yield parameters and were comparable with application of NPK fertilizer while there was a significant increase in the nutritional composition of radish with application of green manures when compared with NPK and control. It can therefore be concluded that application 10 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 0 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T1) as green manure increased vegetative, yield and yield parameters while application 7.5 tonnes ha−1 vernonia + 2.5 tonnes ha−1 chromolaena (T2) improved radish quality.
6 citations
TL;DR: Significant correlations were noted between the nutrient dynamics in water and physicochemical parameters showing the effect of abiotic factors on organic matter decomposition and mineralization which depend on microbial activities inWater and pig manure composition.
Abstract: In spite of the relevance of current studies on the importance of organic
fertilizers such as animal manure in improving the health of ecosystems, little
is known about the biochemical mechanisms affecting the availability of
nutrients released from the organic fertilizer in water. A litter bag study
during 6 weeks was carried out in pots containing 25 liters of water with 15 g
of pig dejections as organic fertilizers. The experimental design was a
completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments
consisted of dejections of pigs nourished with: recommended diet composition
T1, partially improved diet with Azolla filiculoides T2, improved diet with Azolla filiculoides T3, improved diet with cereal bran T4. A control treatment without dejection
(T0) was considered in the study for comparison purpose. Four pigs per type of
diet were considered leading to 16 white landrace pigs of six months age
followed for dejection collections. Strong release of nutrients for better
yield for agro-fish system was obtained in the manure T1 with (10.85 ± 0.00) mg/L; ( 0.011 ± 0.00) mg/L; (2.13 ± 0.07) mg/L and K+ (10.76 ±
0.57) mg/L; Ca2+ (2.92 ± 0.11) mg/L and Mg2+ (2.53 ± 0.00)
mg/L followed by manure T3 and T4 with high N content. The relatively low ratio
C/N (14.25) for T1 and (15.84) for T3 induced more nutrients releasing. This
study showed an important N loss probably due to microorganism activities which
fluctuate nutrient availability. Also significant correlations were noted
between the nutrient dynamics in water and physicochemical parameters showing
the effect of abiotic factors on organic matter decomposition and
mineralization which depend on microbial activities in water and pig manure
composition.
5 citations
01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: Collins et al. as mentioned in this paper conducted field studies at two sites, a logged site and an unlogged site in Santa Rosa County, Florida, U.S.A, to test Elton's hypothesis using cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), a nonindigenous grass invading large areas of the Southeastern United States.
Abstract: of Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science IMPLICATIONS OF PLANT DIVERSITY AND SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES FOR COGONGRASS (Imperata cylindrica) INVASION IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA By Alexandra R. Collins May 2005 Chair: Shibu Jose Major Department: Forest Resources and Conservation In the 1950s Charles Elton hypothesized that more diverse communities should be less susceptible to invasion by exotic species (biodiversity-invasibility hypothesis). The biodiversity-invasibility hypothesis postulates that species-rich communities are less vulnerable to invasion because vacant niches are less common and the intensity of interspecific competition is more severe. Field studies were conducted at two sites, a logged site and an unlogged site in Santa Rosa County, Florida, U.S.A, to test Elton’s hypothesis using cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), a nonindigenous grass invading large areas of the Southeastern United States. The effects of cogongrass invasion on soil chemical properties were also investigated. The logged site, owned by International Paper Company, was under 17year-old loblolly pine prior to clear cutting. The unlogged site, a longleaf pine forest, was at the Blackwater River State Forest. Both the logged site and unlogged site showed no significant relationship between the rate of cogongrass spread and native plant species
5 citations
TL;DR: Man manure from improved diet with Azolla (T3 and T2) are suggested for integrated rice and fish production system because decomposition and nutrients release patterns had significantly increased in water in treatments T1 and T4 compared with the two treatments containing more Azolla in the diet.
Abstract: Recent studies reported the important contribution of animal dejections as organic manure for crop production but, little is known on the decomposition rate and nutrient release pattern in wetland of the manure of pigs nourished with diet enriched with Azolla filiculoides. A litter bag study was carried out under full control during 6 weeks in pots containing 25 liters of tap water and 15g of pigs’ dejection in each decomposition bag. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of dejections of pigs nourished with : T1 (recommended diet composition) consisted of 15% Azolla + 55% provender + 5% coconut copra + 5% oil palm + 5% soybean bran + 10% rice bran + 5% kitchen waste ; T2 (partially improved diet with Azolla) consisted of 30% Azolla + 65% rice bran + 5% oil palm ; T3 (improved diet with Azolla) consisted of 47.5% Azolla + 47.5% rice bran + 5% oil palm; and T4 (improved diet with cereal bran) consisted of 15% Azolla + 40% rice bran + 40% wheat bran + 5% oil palm). Four pigs per diet were considered leading to 16 white landrace pigs of six months age. Decomposition rates in water were significantly (P < 0.05) fast during the first week and became very slow during the following weeks. After the six weeks of experiment, 58.2 % of manure from treatments T1 and T4 were decomposed against 47.2 % for T2 and T3. However, 40.1, 53.3, 67.4 and 57.1% of total N content in treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively were released. As consequence, manure from improved diet with Azolla (T3 and T2) are suggested for integrated rice and fish production system. Nevertheless, decomposition and nutrients (P, K, Ca and Mg) release patterns had significantly (P < 0.05) increased in water in treatments T1 and T4 compared with the two treatments containing more Azolla in the diet (T2 and T3).
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Chemical characteristics of root, shoot and litter of index species such as Salsola rigida, Artemisia sieberi and Stipa barbata commonly used in rangeland development projects were evaluated and compared.
Abstract: Some chemical characteristics of root, shoot and litter of index species such as Salsola rigida, Artemisia sieberi and Stipa barbata commonly used in rangeland development projects were evaluated and compared. Chemical properties of soil under and between the above mentioned species were also studied. For this purpose, vegetation types of Stipa barbata and Artemisia sieberi - Salsola rigida were selected in Zarand-eSaveh rangelands. Totally, 30 individuals of each species within each type were randomly selected for shoot, root and litter sampling and chemical analyses. Also, values of N, P, K, C and C/N ratio were measured in different parts of the species. Results showed that the highest and lowest C/N ratios were related to Stipa barbata root and Artemisia sieberi shoots, respectively. N and P values of Stipa barbata litter were the lowest while Artemisia sieberi and Salsola rigida shoots had the highest values of P and N, respectively. Litter of Salsola rigida and shoot of Artemisia sieberi had the lowest and highest K, respectively. C/N ratio of A. sieberi soil was lower than rest of the species.
5 citations
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TL;DR: Two general analytical approaches to the examination of decomposition data are reviewed and single and double exponential models best describe the loss of mass over time with an element of biological realism.
Abstract: The study of plant litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems commonly employs litter bags to compare the loss of mass among species, among sites, and under various experimental manipulations, or to investigate the process itself. Analysis of the resulting data is quite variable among investigators, and at times inappropriate. Two general analytical approaches to the examination of decomposition data are reviewed. Analysis of variance is useful if the intent is to compare treatment means, but does not directly test hypotheses regarding decomposition rates. If the intent is to determine rate constants, than fitting mathematical models to data is the more appropriate analysis. Single and double exponential models best describe the loss of mass over time with an element of biological realism. See full-text article at JSTOR
937 citations
Book•
01 Nov 1996
TL;DR: Pathways and processes in decomposition foraging, feeding and feedback manipulation of plant litter quality synchrony and soil organic matter - theory into practice?
Abstract: Pathways and processes in decomposition foraging, feeding and feedback manipulation of plant litter quality synchrony and soil organic matter - theory into practice? building soil organic matter modelling - providing the framework.
933 citations
786 citations
"Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..." refers methods in this paper
...Lignin was determined by the procedure of Van Soest and Wine (1968), and polyphenol by that of Dalzell and Kerven (1998), using purifiedLeucaena pallidacondensed tannin as standard....
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TL;DR: In this article, the chemical composition and N release patterns of legumes being used in tropical agroecosystems were determined in a laboratory experiment and three patterns of net N mineralization emerged during the 8-weeks.
Abstract: Leguminous plant materials used as mulches, green manures and cover crops are generally assumed to provide a readily-available source of N to crops. However, little is known about the chemical composition and N release patterns of the variety of legumes being used in tropical agroecosystems. N release patterns from the leaflets of 10 troplcal legumes and rice straw were determined in a laboratory experiment. Ground leaf material was allowed to decompose in an acid soil (pH 4.5) for 8 weeks and the soil was analyzed periodically for extractable NH4+-N and NO3∼, -N. N release in the soil plus plant material were compared to that of the soil without plant material added and related to the N, lignin and polyphenolic concentrations of the leaflets. Three patterns of net N mineralization emerged during the 8-weeks. One pattern exhibited by the control soil, rice straw and leaves of two of the leguminous plants was a low, positive net mineralization. Another pattern showed much higher rates of mineralization than the control soil and the third pattern showed initial net immobilization followed by low but positive net mineralization rates. The amount of N mineralized during the 8 weeks as compared to the control soil ranged from +46 to −20% of the N added in plant material. Net mineralization was not correlated to % N or % lignin in the leaf material but was found to be negatively correlated to the polyphenolic concentration, r = −0.63, or the polyphenolic-to-N ratio, r = −0.75. Mineralization in excess of the control soil was found only for materials with a polyphenolic-to-N ratio
724 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the decomposition and nutrient release patterns of three woody agroforestry plant species (Acioa barteri, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala), maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw, were investigated under field conditions in the humid tropics, using litterbags of three mesh sizes (0.5, 2 and 7 mm) which allowed differential access of soil fauna.
Abstract: Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of prunings of three woody agroforestry plant species (Acioa barteri, Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala), maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw, were investigated under field conditions in the humid tropics, using litterbags of three mesh sizes (0.5, 2 and 7 mm) which allowed differential access of soil fauna. The decomposition rate constants ranged from 0.01 to 0.26 week−1, decreasing in the following order; Gliricidia prunings >Leucaena prunings > rice straw > maize stover >Acioa prunings. Negative correlations were observed between decomposition rate constants and C:N ratio (P < 0.004), percent lignin (P < 0.014) and polyphenol content (P < 0.053) of plant residues. A positive correlation was observed between decomposition rate constant and mesh-size of litterbag (P < 0.057). These results indicate that both the chemical composition of plant residues and nature of the decomposer played an important role in plant residue decomposition.
Nutrient release differed with quality of plant residues and litterbag mesh-size. Total N, P, Ca and Mg contents of plant residues decreased with time for Gliricidia and Leucaena prunings, maize stover, and rice straw, and increased with time for Acioa prunings. There was some indication of N immobilization in maize stover and rice straw; P immobilization in Leucaena prunings and rice straw; and Ca immobilization in maize stover, rice straw and Gliricidia and Leucaena prunings. Acioa prunings immobilized N, P, Ca and Mg. All plant residues released K rapidly. Nutrient release increased with increasing mesh-size of litterbags, suggesting that soil faunal activities enhanced nutrient mobilization.
577 citations
"Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..." refers background in this paper
...The rapid initial loss of K, particularly from the piper leaf litter, is commonly found in litter bag studies (Budelman, 1988; Palm and Sanchez, 1990; Tian et al., 1992a)....
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...…number of studies have been conducted under laboratory conditions (Handayanto et al., 1997; Lupwayi and Haque, 1998; Palm and Sanchez, 1991; Tian et al., 1992b) or under field conditions with no crop after the fallow (Budelman, 1988; Handayanto et al., 1994; Mwiinga et al., 1994; Oglesby…...
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