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: Syahrinudin et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the mitigation potential of the conversion of I. cylindrica grassland to plantations in Sumatra and East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Abstract: . Syahrinudin, Denich M, Becker M, Hartati W, Vleg PLG. 2020. Biomass and carbon distribution on Imperata cylindrica grasslands. Biodiversitas 21: 74-79. Invasive plants can alter the diversity and composition of ecological communities leading to ecosystem change both function and biodiversity issues. Imperata cylindrica is an invasive grass thrives on wide range of soil fertility and climatic condition forming a vast grassland area of this species. Conversion of such lands into agriculture and plantation is costly and high capital demanding. This work was devoted to investigate CO2 mitigation potential of the conversion I. cylindrica grassland to plantations in Sumatra and East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Stratified sampling technique was applied for the determination of biomass and carbon stock of the system studied. Results show that I. cylindrica grassland stored only a relatively small amount of biomass C (5.9-7.6 mg ha-1) implying that conversion into a more C-rich tree-based system would be promising tool to enhance C sequestration. Soil C content at both study sites decreased significantly with depth from the top 15 cm to the 3-m depth and was considerably higher in East Kalimantan than in Sumatra. Provided similar land-use history, the differences in soil C are likely to be related to the level prior to the invasion. Roots of I. cylindrica extended to a maximum depth of only 180 cm, but most of these roots being confined to the topsoil, little organic material is deposited in deeper layers. Despite the dense mat of rhizomes, the extent of C stored in the topsoils was modest. As sequestration is of global concern, the conversion of this grassland into systems with higher biomass accumulation and deeper root penetration is required.
4 citations
TL;DR: It was showed that shoot dry weight and N accumulation of maize cultivated under gliricidia green manure were influenced by its application and indirectly by microbial treatments and growth in sandy soil of Sub-Saharian Africa.
Abstract: The effect of green manure of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp) leguminous plants applied for cereal maize cultivation and N uptake by cereal were investigated and analyzed in relation to influence of dual inoculation of gliricidia with microbial symbionts. Two pot experiments were conducted in greenhouse. The first trial was set up to enhance growth of gliricidia with exotic and indigenous rhizobial strains and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and the second to determine the effect of gliricidia organic material on maize growth. Direct 15N-labelling techniques were used to estimate N-fixed by gliricidia plant and N uptake of maize cereal crop from green manuring was calculated. Growth of gliricidia trees estimated by aboveground biomass production and N fixed were positively affected by dual inoculations. This study showed that shoot dry weight and N accumulation of maize cultivated under gliricidia green manure were influenced by its application and indirectly by microbial treatments. The N recovery by the maize accounted 17.32% to 26.52% of N applied as gliricidia organic material. Gliricidia green manure N accumulation and release, and afterward microbial inoculations were substantially determining on maize crop N uptake and growth in sandy soil of Sub-Saharian Africa.
4 citations
Cites background from "Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..."
...Thus Hartemink and O’Sullivan, (2001) reported up to 50% decomposition of the leaf biomass within 10 weeks with a high capacity to release N (79 kg N/ha) [22]....
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TL;DR: The foliage residues of Capsicum frutescens and Eleusine coracana with carbon (C)/N < 25 are of good quality, and they decomposed fastest and released 99% of their nutrients between 74 and 263 days of incubation, indicating that all the foliage residues can play a significant role for soil nutrient enrichment in poorly managed jhum cultivation system.
Abstract: Litter decomposition and nutrient‐release patterns of three dominant crop species were studied in a jhum cultivation system in the humid tropics of northeast India. Crop residues showed an exponential weight‐loss pattern with time. The release of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) followed a similar pattern with weight loss, and their mineralization constants were 3.46–20.47, 2.25–18.41, and 3.82–24.70, respectively. The microbial population and fungal diversity in the decomposing litter varied with incubation time and depended mainly on the litter nutrient concentrations. Overall, the foliage residues of Capsicum frutescens and Eleusine coracana with carbon (C)/N < 25 are of good quality, and they decomposed (t99 = 122 and 333 days, respectively) fastest and released 99% of their nutrients (C, N, and K) between 74 and 263 days of incubation. Thus, all the foliage residues, particularly those of Capsicum frutescens and Eleusine coracana, can play a significant role for soil nutrient enrichm...
4 citations
Cites background from "Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..."
...In such cases, the crop residues left in the field after harvesting the crops that play a vital role in soil organic matter (SOM) buildup and nutrient budget (Hartemink and O'Sullivan 2001 )....
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27 Sep 2017
TL;DR: A fusariose (Fusarium solani f. sp. piperis) e uma das doencas mais prejudiciais a cultura da pimenteira-do-reino na Amazonia e a aplicacao de materiais orgânicos no solo pode ser uma alternativa de controle dessa doenca.
Abstract: A fusariose (Fusarium solani f. sp. piperis) e uma das doencas mais prejudiciais a cultura da pimenteira-do-reino na Amazonia e a aplicacao de materiais orgânicos no solo pode ser uma alternativa de controle dessa doenca. Avaliou-se os residuos foliares de Piper aduncum, antes e apos a extracao do oleo essencial, como aditivos ao solo inoculado com Fusarium solani, na sobrevivencia e no comportamento morfofisiologico de mudas de pimenteira-do-reino. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na Embrapa Amazonia Oriental, Belem, PA. Foram avaliados os subprodutos da destilacao do oleo essencial de P. aduncum na sobrevivencia de mudas de pimenteira-do-reino a fusariose e o efeito de folhas secas e trituradas de P. aduncum, pre-incubadas no solo, na incidencia de fusariose e no comportamento de mudas de pimenteira-do-reino. A adicao de residuos solidos da extracao de oleo de P. aduncum ao solo aumentou a sobrevivencia de mudas a fusariose em 80% e na presenca de folhas secas e trituradas de P. aduncum o incremento medio na sobrevivencia foi de 83%. A fotossintese liquida das mudas aumentou na presenca dos residuos de P. aduncum. Os residuos da extracao do oleo essencial de P. aduncum e de suas folhas secas e trituradas, sem extracao do oleo, tem potencial de uso no controle da fusariose da pimenteira-do-reino.
3 citations
TL;DR: The role of soil organic carbon in the relationship between vegetation and soil properties is highlighted and the potential of Leguminosae and Lilaceae to improve soil properties and of Labiatae and Rosaceae to degrade soil properties in highland grassland of the Loess Plateau is indicated.
Abstract: The response of soil properties to vegetation types is still not well understood and the relationship between vegetation types and soil properties has not been quantified in highland grasslands. A field experiment was conducted in highland grassland of the Loess Plateau in China to study the distribution of soil properties under different vegetation. 22 plant communities totaling 17 species that belong to 8 families were selected and root zone soil samples were collected to measure soil properties. The ability of vegetation to influence soil properties was vegetation type and soil property dependent. Generally, cation exchange capacity, soil organic carbon, labile organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and invertase showed similar distribution trends with vegetation types and were higher in soils under Lilaceae, Leguminosae, Gramineae, Compositae, Solanaceae and Chenopodiaceae than those under Labiatae and Rosaceae. Also, total phosphorus, inorganic, and available phosphorus were higher in soils under Lilaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae and Chenopodiaceae than under Gramineae, Labiatae and Rosaceae. Catalase activity was not significantly influenced by vegetation type. Statistical analysis suggested that soil organic carbon has significant direct and indirect influences on soil properties and that the combination of soil organic carbon, total phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase could be used to represent physico-chemical, nutritional and biological properties under different vegetation. Our results highlighted the role of soil organic carbon in the relationship between vegetation and soil properties and indicated the potential of Leguminosae and Lilaceae to improve soil properties and of Labiatae and Rosaceae to degrade soil properties in highland grassland of the Loess Plateau.
3 citations
Cites background from "Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..."
...In addition, the decomposition of Labiatae and Rosaceae litters was difficult due to their low nitrogen content (Table 1) because tissue N is the limiting factor for the litter decomposition (Hartemink and O’Sullivan, 2001; Hall and Matson, 2003)....
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...In addition, the decomposition of Labiatae and Rosaceae litters was difficult due to their low nitrogen content (Table 1) because tissue N is the limiting factor for the litter decomposition (Hartemink and O’Sullivan, 2001; Hall and Matson, 2003)....
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References
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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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