Leaf Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics Associated with Common Horticultural Cropland Agroforest Tree Species of Bangladesh

Abstract

Mangifera indica,Zizyphus jujuba,Litchi chinensis, andArtocarpus heterophyllusare the most common cropland agroforest horticultural tree species of Bangladesh. This study focused on leaf litter decomposition and nutrient (N, P, and K) dynamics during the decomposition process. This experiment was conducted for 180 days by using litter bag technique during dry and wet seasons. Mass loss was the highest (49% and 57%) forA. heterophyllusand the lowest (25%) was found forL. chinensis. The highest initial rates (0.75% and 2.35%/day) of decomposition were observed forZ. jujubaand the lowest (0.50% and 0.79%/day) forL. chinensis. The highest decay constant was observed forA. heterophyllus(2.14 and 2.34) and the lowest (0.88 and 0.94) forL. chinensis. Leaf litter of all the studied species showed a similar pattern (K > N > P) of nutrient release during the decomposition process.Zizyphus jujubashowed comparatively higher return of N, P, and K than others. However, a significant (P<0.05) higher amount of mass loss, rate of decomposition, decay constant, and amount of nutrient return from leaf litter were observed during the wet season.