Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release in Anogeissus latifolia, Garuga pinnata and Terminalia tomentosa of a Dangs forest

摘要

Weight loss and nutrient dynamics of leaf litter of Anogeissus latifolia, Garuga pinnata and Terminalia tomentosa of a tropical dry deciduous Dangs forest, Gujarat has been studied by litterbag technique. After one year of decomposition period, weight loss were observed in 71.80 percent (G. pinnata), 60.80 percent (A. latifolia) and 53.60 percent (T. tomentosa) respectively. The absolute mass of nutrients in decomposing leaf litter was released in order for A. latifolia K > Ca > P> Na > N > Mg, while for G. pinnata K> Ca > N > P > Na > Mg and for T. tomentosa N > Mg > K > P > Ca respectively. The species A. latifolia showed releasing pattern of all nutrients throught the years as compared with G. pinnata and T. tomentosa. Immobilization phase was observed in Mg, N and P elements upto few months of decomposition in all the species.