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Further evidence for the importance of residual leaf protein complexes in litter decomposition and the supply of nitrogen for plant growth

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Summary

The nitrogen absorbed by birch seedlings grown in sand culture has been used as a measure of the resistance to decomposition of complexes formed in vitro by interaction between protein and water-extractable leaf constituents ofCalluna vulgaris, Chamaenerion angustifolium andCircaea lutetiana. The resistance to decomposition of these complexes measured in this way isCalluna vulgaris >Chamaenerion angustifolium >Circaea lutetiana. This result seems to be in agreement with the soil-forming and field characteristics of these species and especially the raw humus-forming tendencies ofCalluna vulgaris.

The nitrogen released, as measured by the nitrogen absorbed by birch seedlings, fromCalluna raw humus (H-layer material) and the model protein —Calluna leaf extractives complex is very nearly proportional to the widely different amounts of total nitrogen initially added to the root environment thereby suggesting that the organic nitrogen of the model complex and of theCalluna raw humus have similar properties.

The amount of nitrogen absorbed by the birch seedlings when unaltered protein was added to the sand culture was less than when protein —Circaea lutetiana leaf extractives complex was added. This is ascribed to too rapid release and loss of nitrogen before it could be absorbed by the birch seedling roots and suggests a role for some leaf protein complexes in the conservation of litter nitrogen. Some possible effects of protein complexes in relation to the digestion of fresh and dry leaf material of various plant species by animals are discussed.

Information from archeological observations and from investigations into the tanning of proteins is considered in relation to possible factors influencing the decomposition of protein complexes of litter and it seems probable that a less acid reaction,e.g. such as is brought about by the addition of adequate amounts of calcareous material, will assist the mobilization of the nitrogen of raw-humus-forming litter.

The contention that the protein-precipitating substances of leaves are of fundamental importance in soil processes, especially raw humus formation and the supply of nutrients for plant growth, is considered to be supported by experimental approaches from different directions.

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  1. Department of Forestry, Imperial Forestry Institute, University of Oxford, USA

    W. R. C. Handley

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Handley, W.R.C. Further evidence for the importance of residual leaf protein complexes in litter decomposition and the supply of nitrogen for plant growth. Plant Soil 15, 37–73 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01421749

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