Nutrient Release Pattern in Decomposition of Multipurpose Trees

The present investigation was carried out on "Nutrient release pattern in decomposing litter of multipurpose trees" for the period of six months viz. first fortnight of July 2009 to first fortnight of January 2010. The study was conducted at experimental research Farm (Arboretum) of Forestry Department, N.A.U Navsari. The leaf litter of seven multipurpose species viz. Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Dendrocalamus strictus, Terminalia bellirica, Cassia fistula, Casuarina equisetifolia and Terminalia arjuna were used in this study. The litter bags of nylon net (1mm mesh size), 20x20 cm. in size, containing 10g air-dried samples were incubated on surface in the first week of July 2009. Litter bags of each species were placed on the plantation field of respective species. For each species 3 litter bags were recovered at fortnight intervals for the study of weight loss in dry matter due to decomposition. Fresh leaf litter were chemically analysed for N, P, and K using standard prescribed procedure. Litter decomposition studied for each species made during the period of six month viz. first fortnight of July to first fortnight of January indicated fast decomposition of litter.