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Journal ArticleDOI

Leaf litter decomposition of Piper aduncum, Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea

01 Mar 2001-Plant and Soil (Kluwer Academic Publishers)-Vol. 230, Iss: 1, pp 115-124
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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Citations
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Dissertation
01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: It was concluded that mixtures consisting of two different species improved the nitrogen supply and did not affect %Ndfa for the legumes, providing good prospects for improving synchrony between N availability and plant N uptake.
Abstract: One potentially useful practice to improve tropical soil fertility is to use shrubs or trees grown for fodder in rows, with annual crops in between. The overall objective of this thesis work, in the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico), was to establish a system with mixed woody species (leguminous/non-leguminous) to investigate the extent to which they increase nitrogen uptake and growth. The study tested the hypothesis that such mixtures may stimulate N2 fixation from the atmosphere and the transfer of N from leguminous to non-leguminous plants. Three woody species were selected: Leucaena leucocephala (legume), Moringa olefera (non-legume) and Guazuma ulmfolia (non-legume). The 15N natural abundance method was used to estimate the N2 fixed by the leguminous shrubs, using the two non-leguminous species as reference plants. Shrub survival and growth in single species and in mixtures was monitored throughout the study. Shrubs were pruned 11 months after planting and thereafter at three-month intervals. The 8 15N values of the total N in Leucaena prunings was determined from five samplings between July 2003 (11 months after planting) and August 2004. Additionally, a study was carried out to compare under field conditions the decomposition rates and nitrogen release from leaves from the different combinations. More than 80% of planted seedlings survived and grew rapidly. Total biomass (fodder) production was 1.9-7.7 ton ha' for monocrops and 6-9 ton hi' for the mixtures. Nitrogen yield in the fodder was highest in the Leucaena+Guazuma mixture (285 kg N hi'), followed by Leucaena monocrop and Leucaena+Moringa mixture (244 and 183 kg N hi', respectively). The 8 15N of samples from non-fixing species ranged from 2.4 to 3.1%o (mean 2.8 ± 0.45%o). The 515 of L. leucocephala (0. 56%o) was significantly lower, indicating that nitrogen fixation occurred in the Leucaena plants. The percentage of the N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) in the Leucaena mixtures ranged from 61 to 66%, while in the Leucaena monocrop it was 58%, at 11 months old. Moringa leaves decomposed most rapidly, followed by Luecaena+Moringa; the decay was best described by a double exponential model. The combination of Leucaena+Guazuma decomposed more slowly and pure Leucaena leaves decomposed at an intermediate rate. Over 16 weeks, Leucaena+Moringa released 65-75% of the initial N, Leucaena+Guazuma released 46-63%, and Leucaena leaves alone released, on average, 54% of their N. The content of lignin+polyphenol and tannins in the leaves had a strong negative correlation with the rate of nitrogen release. Based on these data, it was concluded that mixtures consisting of two different species improved the nitrogen supply and did not affect %Ndfa for the legumes. The alteration of the decomposition and N release patterns observed when mixing plant materials of different quality provides good prospects for improving synchrony between N availability and plant N uptake.

12 citations


Cites result from "Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..."

  • ...This is in agreement with the earlier finding that the polyphenol or lignin+polyphenol to N ratio were strongly correlated with N mineralization from legume and non-legume residues (Hartemink and O'Sullivan, 2001; Isaac, et al., 2000)....

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Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This chapter describes plant traits of successful invaders that may dramatically alter soil community’s composition and the reactions of soil communities in the native and nonnative range of alien invaders are compared and assessed.
Abstract: Invasion ecology has become a significant issue in contemporary ecological research. Detecting the success of alien plant species in invading native plant communities (invasiveness) and observing the plant community’s ability to repel this invasion (invasibility) are central topics. In this chapter, the interaction of the native soil community with the alien invader is discussed. The first section describes plant traits of successful invaders that may dramatically alter soil community’s composition. Then the effects of exotics on soil structure, physical properties of soils, and changes in nutrient cycling are analyzed. In addition to this biogeographical aspects, the reactions of soil communities in the native and nonnative range of alien invaders are compared and assessed. The second part describes the interaction of invaders with soil pathogens, mutualistic fungi and bacteria, and decomposers.

12 citations

09 Aug 2009
TL;DR: A thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science, 2009.
Abstract: A thesis submitted to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science, 2009

11 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Yulnafatmawita and F Anggriani as discussed by the authors used three types of organic matter (Tithonia diversifolia, Chromolaena odorata, and Gliricidia sepium) at different sizes (8, 6, 4, 2, and 0.5 cm) for 1% (20 g 2 kg-1 soil), then mixed and incubated for three months.
Abstract: Ultisol as a marginal soil has become ‘a hope’ by farmers in Indonesia due to land use change, lately. However, the soil is susceptible to degradation since it has low soil aggregate stability (SAS) as affected by low soil organic matter (SOM) content. A pot trial about application of fresh organic matter (FOM) was aimed to improve SAS of Ultisols under wet tropical rainforest. Three types of FOM (Tithonia diversifolia, Chromolaena odorata, and Gliricidia sepium) at different size (8, 6, 4, 2, and 0.5 cm) were applied for 1% (20 g 2 kg-1 soil), then mixed and incubated for three months. The experimental units were allocated in a completely randomized design at a glasshouse. The results showed that FOM generally increased SOM content, percent aggregation, as well as SAS of the Ultisol. Among the organic matter (OM) sources, tithonia gave the highest SOM content after a 3-month incubation. Within the types of OM source, the smallest OM size applied showed the highest SOM content. Tithonia at 0.5 cm in size gave the highest SOM (3.47%) of the Ultisol and SAS increased by 68% compared to the initial soil. Overall, there was a positive correlation (R2 = 0.43) between SOM content and aggregate stability index, but no correlation (R2=0.04) between SOM content and percent aggregation of the Ultisols. [ How to Cite : Yulnafatmawita and F Anggriani. 2013. Fresh Organic Matter Application to Improve Aggregate Stability of Ultisols under Wet Tropical Region. J Trop Soils 18 (1): 33-44. doi: 10.5400/jts.2013.18.1.33] [ Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2013.18.1.33 ]

11 citations


Cites background from "Leaf litter decomposition of Piper ..."

  • ...Hartemink and O’Sullivan (2001) found that G. sepium contained about 25.2 g N kg-1 DM, 149.8 g lignin kg-1 DM, and 26.2 g polyphenol kg-1 DM. Pandey and Rai (2007), on the other hand, reported that Gliricidia leaves, under humid climate of South Andaman, India, could release N maximum at 15 days…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The response of cocoyam to various treatments of inorganic and organic amendments were studied under field conditions in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons at farm of the Regional Centre of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Bhubaneswar.
Abstract: The response of cocoyam (Colocasia esuclenta (L) Schott) to various treatments(Twenty combinations of Treatments) of inorganic and organic amendments were studied under field conditions in 2011 and 2012 growing seasons at farm of the Regional Centre of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, (CTCRI), Bhubaneswar Odisha, India Various enzymatic activities were studied for optimization cornel production The physio chemical properties of soil quality with effect of integrated use of lime, biological, inorganic and organics on soil micro-flora were statistically analyzed for cocoyam production in lowland of Eastern India

11 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1982-Ecology
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

Journal ArticleDOI

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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Journal ArticleDOI
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

Journal ArticleDOI
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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