Effects of surface fire on litter decomposition and occurrence of microfungi in a Cymbopogon polyneuros dominated grassland

摘要

Litter decomposition rate, changes in macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from different grades of litter decomposition and occurrence of soil microfungi were investigated in a Cymbopogon polyneuros-dominated tall grass ecosystem from a burned and an unburned site in southern India. The litter decomposition rate was higher at the burned site than at the unburned site. This rate was also higher when the litter was mixed with the mineral soil material than leaving thelitter unaffected on the soil surface. The concentrations of N, P, and K in the litter decreased as a result of progressed litter decomposition. Occurrence of Tnicrofungi identified from the different decomposition grades of the Cymbopogon polyneuros litter was higher at the burned site compared to the unburned site. Microfungal species present at both sites showed only minor differences.