Characterization and Evaluation of Hedges and Multipurpose Trees for Their Leaf Litter Decomposition Kinetics and Nutrient Release Patterns in the Indian Himalayas

Abstract

In a field experiment having 33 plots under 1.55 ha area, although plots under agroforestry systems have huge potential for increased biomass productivity and soil conservation, little information is available on decomposition behaviour of leaf litters from different hedges and multipurpose trees (MPTs) in the Indian sub-Himalayas. Hence, an experiment was carried out to study the growth performance, biomass production, annual nutrient accumulation and rate kinetics of leaf litter decomposition of six promising hedgerow species and four MPTs in the Eastern Himalayas, India with three replications in randomized block design (RBD). Significant (p<0.05) variations were observed for survival and growth performance of hedges and MPTs. Significant variations were also recorded for biomass production between species. Hedge species had significantly higher biomass production and nutrient concentrations compared with the MPTs. Among all species, biomass production by Crotolaria tetragona was highest. On average, hedges accumulated 59.68, 11.95 and 28.31 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 of N, P and K, respectively, whereas MPTs contributed only 18.13, 0.77 and 7.18 kg ha^-1 yr^-1, respectively. The decomposition pattern of different leaf litter represented triphasic phenomena, wherein hedgerow litter reached the peak of the rapid decomposition phase within two months. Cumulative decomposition of the leaf litter from MPTs was considerably less within the same time frame. Thus, planting of hedges is recommended under agroforestry system in the Indian sub-Himalayas.