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Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

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Abstract

Litterfall and decomposition are the two main processes accounting for soil enrichment in agroforestry. The extent of enrichment in soil properties depends on the tree species, management practices and the quantity and quality of litter. A field investigation was carried out to study litterfall production, decay rates, release of nutrients and consequent changes in soil physicochemical properties under crowns of four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in irrigated conditions in farm fields. The species were Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Annual accretion of litter ranged from 36 to 54 kg tree−1 year−1 and was highest under D. sissoo and lowest under A. nilotica. Total litterfall production was in the order: P. cineraria > A. leucophloea > A. nilotica > D. sissoo. P. cineraria showed the highest NPK concentration in litter. For all MPTs, a large pulse of litterfall coincided with the winter season (November to February). Litter of P. cineraria decomposed fastest while that of A. nilotica was slowest. More than 95% of the leaf litter of P. cineraria decomposed in 6 months, of D. sissoo in 7 months and A. leucophloea and A. nilotica in 9 months. Decomposition rate of litter was highly correlated with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (r = −0.94) and P (r = −0.91) concentration. N, P and K release were best correlated with NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF), P, lignin, lignin/N and C/P ratios and NDF alone explained 88% to 94% of the variability in litter decomposition and nutrient release rates. There was significant build up of soil organic carbon and available NPK in the agrisilvicultural systems but also a decrease in soil pH. Build up in soil fertility was significantly correlated with litterfall and soil improvement was greatest under P. cineraria.

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Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges the help and support rendered by Head, Department of Soil Science and Dean, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner for the study. Permission given for recording the litter production and soil sampling by farmers is also sincerely acknowledged. The author is grateful to Dr. K. R. Solanki, ex-Director, NRCAF, Jhansi for granting study leave to pursue the present study and Dr. Ajit, Sr. Scientist (statistics) for helping in statistical analysis of data in Systat software. The authors sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for helpful criticism, useful comments and suggestions making the manuscript more worthwhile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Near Pahuj Dam, Gwalior Road, Jhansi, 284 003, UP, India

    R. S. Yadav

  2. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Rajasthan Agricultural University, Jobner, Jaipur, 303 329, Rajasthan, India

    B. L. Yadav & B. R. Chhipa

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  1. R. S. Yadav
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Correspondence to R. S. Yadav.

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Yadav, R.S., Yadav, B.L. & Chhipa, B.R. Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. Agroforest Syst 73, 1–12 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-008-9106-9

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