Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of litter availability and its quality plasticity of four wild species of the Indian arid environment

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Tropical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Wild plant species are crucial component for ecosystem stability and also affecting the nutrient dynamics of the system. However, there are relatively few experimental tests to assess their litter availability (biomass) and quality. In the present study, the litter potential and their quality plasticity of four wild arid plant species (Tephrosia purpurea, Aerva persica, Clerodendrum phlomidis and Calotropis procera) of the Indian hot arid desert have been assessed through correlated component regression and with various chemical parameters. The spatial impacts on litter availability and quality were tested with ANOVA, Levene’s and Tukey’s tests. Proximity or distances of species variables with site factors and interrelationships among morphological and chemical parameters were visualized through principal component analysis. Site factor significantly influences the estimated litter availability for T. purpurea and A. persica. Significant spatial effects were also observed for litter quality parameters like cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, carbon, nitrogen, lignin:N and lignin + polyphenol:N. Trait plasticity suggested that spatial factor influenced biochemical parameters more compared to their morphological parameters of the studied species. The results of the present study can be followed with future research pertaining to decomposition patterns of litter, impacts of litter on plant community dynamics and their role in plant production.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alfaro FD, Manzano M, Marquet PA, Gaxiola A (2017) Microbial communities in soil chronosequences with distinct parent material: the effect of soil pH and litter quality. J Ecol 105:1709–1722. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen SE, Grimshaw HM, Parkinson JA, Quarmby C, Roberts JD (1976) Chemical analysis. In: Chapman SB (ed) Methods in plant ecology. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JM, Ingram JSI (1993) Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods. CAB International, Willingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin AT, Vivanco L (2006) Plant litter decomposition in a semi arid ecosystem controlled by photodegradation. Nature 442:555–558

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bala N, Kumar P, Bohra NK, Limba NK, Baloch SR, Singh B, Singh G (2014) Production and decomposition of litter in Prosopis cineraria plantation along canal bank in Indian desert. Ann Arid Zone 53:169–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Bareja M, Praveen K, Lodha S (2010) Effect of composts on microbial dynamics and activity, dry root rot severity and seed yield of cowpea in the Indian arid region. Phytopathol Mediterr 49:381–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Bareja M, Mawar R, Mathur M, Lodha S (2012) On-farm waste-based composts in managing Maxrophomina phaseolina induced dry rot of guar in an arid environments. Aust Plant Pathol 42:9–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-012-0157-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett A, Grussu D, Kam J, Caul S, Halpin C (2014) Plant lignin content altered by soil microbial community. New Phytol 206:166–174

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyero L, Sraca MAS, Tonin AM, Perez J, Swafford AJ, Ferreira V, Dabarca-Landeira A, Alexandrou MA, Gessner MO (2017) Riparian plant litter quality increases with latitude. Sci Rep 7:10562. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-10640-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bruni R, Sacchetti G (2009) Factor affecting polyphenol biosynthesis in wild and field growth St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L. Hypericaceae/Guttiferae). Molecules 14:682–725

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cambell MM, Sederoff RR (1996) Variation in lignin content and composition. Plant Physiol 110:3–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaturvedi RK (2010) Plant functional traits in dry deciduous forests of India. Ph.D. Thesis, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

  • Constantinides M, Fownes JH (1994) Nitrogen mineralization from leaves and litter of tropical plants: relationship to nitrogen, lignin and soluble polyphenols concentration. Soil Biol Biochem 26:49–55

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornwell WK, Cornelissen JHC (2008) Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide. Ecol Lett 11:1065–1071

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cotruto MF (2006) Quantity of seedling litter: a driving factor dynamics. Plant Soil 281:1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Gurbachan S (2007) Biodiversity of saline and waterlogged environments. Documentation, Utilization and Management. NBA Scientific Bulletin Number—9, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

  • Dimitrakopolulus PG (2010) Influence of evenness on the litter-species-richness-decomposition relationships in Mediterranean grasslands. J Plant Ecol B 2:71–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Fanin N, Bertrand I (2016) Aboveground litter quality is a better predictor than below ground microbial communities when estimating carbon mineralization along a land-use gradient. Soil Biol Biochem 94:48–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garacia-Palacious P, McKie BG, Handa IT, Frainer A, Hattenschwiler S (2016) The importance of litter traits and decomposers for litter decomposition: a comparison of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem within and across biomes. Funct Ecol 30:819–829

    Google Scholar 

  • Garibaldi LA, Semmartin M, Chaneton EJ (2007) Grazing induced changes in plant composition affect litter quality and nutrient cycling in Flooding Pampa grasslands. Oecol 151:650–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaxiola A, Armesto JJ (2015) Understanding litter decomposition in semi arid ecosystem: linking leaf traits, UV exposure and rainfall variability. Front Plant Sci 6:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gessner MO, Swan CM, Dang CK, McKie BG, Bardgett RD, Hattenschwiler DH, Wall S (2010) Diversity meets decomposition. Trends Ecol Evol 25:372–380

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gopinathan S, Naveenraj D (2014) Antiobesity potential of Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn and Garcinia cabogia Linn.—a comparative animal model study. World J Pharm Res 3:1083–1111

    Google Scholar 

  • Grime JP, Cornelissen JHC, Thompson K, Hodgson JG (1996) Evidence of a casual connection between anti-herbivore defense and the decomposition of the leaves. Oikos 77:489–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammar O, Harper DAT, Ryan PD (2001) PAST: paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontol Electron 4:9

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan LM, Galal TM, Farahat EA, El-Midany M (2015) The biology of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W. T. Trees 29:311–320

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henneron L, Chauvat M, Archaux F, Akpa-Vinceslas M, Bureau F, Dumas Y, Mignot L, Ningre F, Perret S, Richter C, Balandier P, Aubert M (2017) Plant interaction as biotic drivers of plasticity in leaf litter traits and decomposability of Quercus petraea. Ecol Monogr 87:321–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes FK, Young TP, Carreiro MM (1998) Forest leaf litter quantity and seedling occurrence along an urban-rural gradient. Urban Ecosyst 2:263–278

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikram N, Dawar D (2012) Soil amendment with Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. Ex Schult. In the control of root rot fungi of cowpea (Vigna conguculata (L.) Walp.) and mung bean [(Vigna radiate (L.)]. Acta Agrobot 65:69–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson ML (1973) Soil chemical analysis. Prentice Hall Inc., Engewood Cloff

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazakou E, Violle C, Roumet C, Pintor C, Gimenez O, Garnier E (2009) Litter quality and decomposability of species from a Mediterranean succession depend on leaf traits but not on nitrogen supply. Ann Bot 104:1151–1161

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Khan MA, Moharana PC, Singh SK (2003a) Integrated natural resources and environmental impact assessment for sustainable development of Ganganagar District, Rajasthan. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan MA, Moharana PC, Singh SK (2003b) Integrated natural resources and environmental impact assessment for sustainable development of Hanumangarh District, Rajasthan. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishna MP, Mohan M (2017) Litter decomposition in forest ecosystem: a review. Energy Ecol Environ 2:236–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Roy S (2006) Herbaceous biomass production in arid and semi arid regions of Rajasthan. In: Grassi G, Collina A, Zibetta H (eds) Biomass for energy, industry and environment. Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd., England, pp 1019–1023

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumaradoss MM, Raja M, Mishra SH (2010) Comprehensive review of Clerodendrum phlomidis: a traditionally used bitter. Chin J Integr Med 8:51–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Lecerf A, Marie G, Kominoski JS, LeRoy CJ, Bernadet C, Christopher CM (2011) Incubation time, functional litter diversity, and habitat characteristics predict litter-mixing effects on decomposition. Ecology 92:160–169

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu R, Huang Z, McCormack ML, Zhou X, Wan X, Yu Z, Wang M, Zhen L (2017) Plasticity of fine-root functional traits in the litter layer in response to nitrogen addition in a subtropical forest plantation. Plant Soil 415:317–330

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lodha S, Sharma SK, Aggarwal RK (2002) Inactivation of Macrophomina phaseolina propagules during composting and effect of composts on dry root rot severity and on seed yield of cluster bean. Eur J Plant Pathol 108:253–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Magidson J (2010) Correlated component regression: a prediction/classification methodology for possibly many features. In: Proceeding of American Statistical Association. https://www.statisticalinnovations.com/wp-content/uploads/Magidson2010_jsm.pdf. Accessed 5 Feb 2019

  • Makkonen M, Berg MP, Logtestijn RSP, Hal JR, Aerts R (2012) Do physical plant litter traits explain non-additivity in litter mixtures? A test of the improved micro-environmental conditions theory. Oikos 122:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur M (2016) Spatial distribution of Tephrosia purpurea on different habitats in relation to soil, community and site factors. Range Manag Agrofor 37:148–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur M (2018) Reproductive and plant cover traits plasticity of an endangered hot arid zone species Blepharis sindica inhabiting at pure and mixed stands. Vegetos 31:20–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur M, Pandey CB (2016) Vegetation ecology of hot arid and semi arid grazing lands of India. In: Gaur M, Pandey CB, Goyal RK (eds) Remote sensing for natural resources monitoring and management. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, pp 213–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathur M, Sundarmoorthy S (2013) Inter-specific association of herbaceous vegetation in semi arid Thar desert, India. Range Manag Agrofor 34:26–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Meier CL, Bowman WD (2008) Links between plant litter chemistry, species diversity and below-ground ecosystem function. PNAS 16:19780–19785

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed AA, Fredan AL (2011) Nitrogen fixing legumes in the plant communities. Am J Environ Sci 7:166–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Moretto AS, Distel R, Didoné N (2001) Decomposition and nutrient dynamic of leaf litter and roots from palatable and unpalatable grasses in a semi-arid grassland. Appl Soil Ecol 18:31–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Moubasher MH, Adbel-Hafez SII, Abdel-Fattah HM, Mohanram AM (1982) Fungi of wheat and broad-bean straw compost-thermophillic fungi. Mycopathologia 78:169–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Moura JCMS, Bonine CAV, Viana JOF, Dornelas MC, Mazzafera P (2010) Abiotic and biotic stresses and changes in the lignin content and composition in plants. J Integr Plant Biol 52:360–376

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Narain P, Singh M, Khan MS, Kumar S (2005) Shrubs of Indian arid zone. Arid Agro-ecosystem Directorate, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Padmavathy A, Poyyamoli G (2012) Provisioning ecosystem services income extend comparison between organic and conventional agricultural fields in Pondicherry-India. J Agric Ext Rural Dev 4:120–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Palm CA (1995) Contribution of agroforestry trees to nutrient requirements of intercropped plants. Agrofor Syst 30:105–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Quested H, Eriksson O, Fortunel C, Garnier E (2007) Plant traits related to whole-community litter quality and decomposition following land use change. Funct Ecol 21:1016–1026

    Google Scholar 

  • Reich PB (2014) The world-wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto. J Ecol 102:275–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy AN, Wani SP, Ladha JK (2014) Weed management research in India—an analysis of the past and outlook for future. In: Souvenir (1989–2014), DWR Publication No. 18. Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur, pp 1–26

  • Sampaio BL, Bara MTF, Ferri PH, Santos SC, de Paula JR (2011) Influence of environmental factors on the concentration of phenolic compounds in leaves of Lafoensia pacari. Rev Bras Farmcogn 21:1127–1137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sariyildiz T, Anderson JM, Kucuk M (2005) Effects of tree species and topography on soil chemistry, litter quality, and decomposition in Northeast Turkey. Soil Biol Biochem 37:1695–1706

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena S (1977a) Desertification due to ecological changes in the vegetation of the Indian desert. Ann Arid Zone 16:367–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Saxena S (1977b) Vegetation and its succession in the Indian desert. Desertification and its Control. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, pp 176–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayer EJ, Tanner EVI, Cheesman AW (2006) Increased litterfall change fine root distribution in a moist tropical forest. Plant Soil 281:5–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schroth G (2003) Decomposition and nutrient supply from biomass. In: Schroth G, Sinclair FL (eds) Trees, crops and soil fertility: concepts and research methods. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 131–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Seastedt TR (1984) The role of microarthropods in decomposition and mineralization processes. Annu Rev Entomol 29:25–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Semmartin M, Aguiar MR, Distel RA, Moretto AS, Ghersa M (2004) Litter quality and nutrient cycling affected by grazing-induced species replacement along a precipitation gradient. Oikos 107:148–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Semmartin M, Bella CD, Salamone IG (2010) Grazing-induced changes in plant species composition affect plant and soil properties of grassland mesocosms. Plant Soil 328:471–481

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shad AA, Seemab A, Bakht J, Din AU (2017) Screening of Aerva javanica and Linum usitatissimum for their anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activity. Pak J Pharm Sci 30:67–73

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shankar V (1986) Vegetation recovery under protection. In: Shankarnarayan KA, Shankar V (eds) Desert environment conservation and management. Central Arid Zone Research Institute Monograph, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S, Sharma KD, Joshi DC (1995) Integrated natural and human resources appraisal for sustainable development of Jalore District. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S, Vangani NS, Singh N (1996) Integrated natural and human resources appraisal for sustainable development of Sikar District. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh MK, Bhardwaj KK, Beniwal RS, Kumari S (2017) Quantification of litter fall and decomposition rate in shelterbelt and neem block plantation. J Pharmacogn Phytochem 6:2491–2493

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skorpua ALA, de Barros NF, Neves JCL (2015) Forest litter decomposition as affected by eucalyptus stand adge and topography in south-eastern Brazil. Revista Árvore Viçosa 39:1055–1064

    Google Scholar 

  • Soni ML, Yadava ND, Bhardwaj S (2016) Dynamics of leaf litter decomposition of four tree species of arid western Rajasthan under varying soil moisture regimes. Int J Trop Agric 34:955–960

    Google Scholar 

  • Sunita K, Srivastava M, Abbasi P (2014) Response of Tephrosia purpurea to salinity stress in relation to germination carotenoid content and proline content. Biolife 21:276–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YH, Gong IR, Liu M, Huang YM, Yan X, Zhang ZY, Xu S, Luo QP (2015) Effects of grassland-use on soil respiration and litter decomposition. Chin J Plant Ecol 39:239–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang T, McFariane HE, Persson S (2016) The impact of abiotic factors on cellulose synthesis. J Exp Bot 67:543–552

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wardle DA, Bonner KI, Barker GM (2002) Linkages between plant litter decomposition, litter quality and vegetation responses to herbivores. Funct Ecol 16:585–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiaogai G, Lixiong Z, Wenfa X, Zhilin H, Xiansheng G, Benwang T (2013) Effect of litter substrate quality and soil nutrients on forest litter decomposition: a review. Acta Ecol Sincia 33:102–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav P, Yadava RN (2014) Allelopathic effects of some leguminosae plants. Int J Sci Res 3:441–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav RS, Yadav BL, Chhipa BR (2008) Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. Agrofor Syst 73:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang D, Hui D, Luo Y, Zhou G (2008) Rates of litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems: global patterns and controlling factors. J Plant Ecol 1:85–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Zukswert JM, Prescott CE (2017) Relationships among leaf functional traits, litter traits, and mass loss during early phases of leaf litter decomposition in 12 woody plant species. Oecologia 185:305–316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Botany for facilities; UGC-CAS and DST-FIST are acknowledged for instrumental facilities. The corresponding author is thankful to the Director, CAZRI for granting study leave during the research period. We would like to thanks to an anonymous reviewers for making useful comments to the original manuscript.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Manish Mathur

    Present address: ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342003, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, JNV University, Jodhpur, 342001, India

    Manohar Singh Suthar, Praveen Gehlot & S. Sundaramoorthy

Authors
  1. Manish Mathur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manohar Singh Suthar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Praveen Gehlot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Sundaramoorthy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manish Mathur.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (XLS 68 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mathur, M., Suthar, M.S., Gehlot, P. et al. Assessment of litter availability and its quality plasticity of four wild species of the Indian arid environment. Trop Ecol 60, 326–336 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-019-00034-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-019-00034-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation