Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Phyllostachys bambusoides and Arundinaria racemosa, India

Abstract

We investigated decomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaf and sheath litter of two important highland bamboo species (viz. Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. (Zucc.) and Arundinaria racemosa Munro) by using a litter bag technique. Our objective was to improve understanding of the addition of organic matter and nutrients to soil from the litter of two abundant highland bamboo species, species that support the local population of the region in many ways. N concentration and N/P ratio were significantly higher (p<0.01) in leaf litter of P. bambusoides. Significantly, larger values of lignin concentration, C/N ratio, and lignin/N ratio were found in the sheath litter of A racemosa. Weight loss of both leaf and sheath litter was strongly positively correlated with N and N/P ratio, and significantly negatively correlated (p<0.01) with C/N ratio. Lignin/N had a negative correlation with decay rate. In both species, only lignin concentration of the litter showed strong positive correlation with N release. Litter decomposition and N release patterns were similar for the two bamboo species, whereas, P release rate from leaf litter was higher in P. bambusoides and differed significantly between sheath and leaf litter for both species. The complex pattern of nutrient release through mineralization and immobilization during litter decomposition ensures nutrient availability in both managed and natural bamboo stands subjected to anthropogenic disturbances.

Keywords

decomposition / decay constant / nutrient release / mineralization / immobilization / bamboo

References

[1] Allen S.E., Grimshaw H.M., Parkinson J.A., Quaramby C.. Chemical analysis of ecological materials. 1974, Oxford: Blackwell, 565.

[2] Anderson J.M., Ingram J.S.I.. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility — A Handbook of Methods, 1993 2nd edition Wallingford, UK: CAB International

[3] Arunachalam A., Pandey H.N., Tripathi R.S., Maithani K.. Fine root decomposition and nutrient mineralization patterns in a subtropical humid forest following tree cutting. Forest Ecology and Management, 1996, 86(1–3): 141-150.

[4] Arunachalam A., Arunachalam K.. Evaluation of bamboos in eco-restoration of’ jhum’ fallows in Arunachal Pradesh: ground vegetation, soil and microbial biomass. Forest Ecology and Management, 2002, 159(3): 231-239.

[5] Arunachalam K., Upadhyaya K., Arunachalam A.. Foliage decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of Bambusa balcooa and Bambusa pallida in a 9-year-old jhum fallow. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 2005, 4(1): 41-54.

[6] Austin A.T., Vitousek P.M.. Precipitation, decomposition and litter decomposability of Metrosideros polymorpha in native forests on Hawaii. Journal of Ecology, 2000, 88: 129-138.

[7] Berg B., Berg M.P., Bottner P., Box E., Breymeyer A., Calvo de Anta R., Couteaux M., Gallardo A., Escudero A., Kratz W., Madeira M., Malconen E., Meentemeyer V., Munoz F., Piyssi P., Remacle J., Virzo de Santo A.. Litter mass loss rates in pine forests of Europe and Eastern United States as compared to actual evapotranspiration on a European scale. Biogeochemistry, 1993, 20: 127-159.

[8] Blair J.M.. Nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus dynamics in decomposing deciduous leaf litter in the southern Appalachians. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 1988, 20: 693-701.

[9] Cotrufo M.F., Raschi A., Lanini M., Ineson P.. Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of Quercus pubescens leaf litter in a naturally enriched CO2 Mediterranean ecosystem. Functional Ecology, 1999, 13: 343-351.

[10] Das T., Das A.K.. Litter production and decomposition in the forested areas of traditional homegardens: a case study from Barak Valley, Assam, northeast India. Agroforestry System, 2010, 79(2): 157-170.

[11] Deb S., Arunachalam A., Arunachalam K.. Cell-wall degradation and nutrient release pattern in decomposing leaf litter of Bambusa tulda Roxb. and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees. in a bamboo-based agroforestry system in north-east India. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 2005, 4(3): 257-277.

[12] Dyer M.L., Meentemeyer V., Berg B.. Apparent controls of mass loss rate of leaf litter on a regional scale. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 1990, 5: 311-323.

[13] Eason W.R., Newman E.I.. Rapid loss of phosphorous from dying ryegrass roots: the chemical components involved. Oecologia, 1990, 84(3): 359-361.

[14] Edmonds R.L.. Litter decomposition and nutrient release in Douglas-fir, red alder, western hemlock, and Pacific silver fir ecosystems in western Washington. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1980, 10(3): 327-337.

[15] Enriquez S., Duarte C.M., Sand-Jensen K.. Patterns in decomposition rates among photosynthetic organisms: the importance of detritus C: N: P content. Oecologia, 1993, 94(4): 457-471.

[16] Garkoti S.C., Singh S.P.. Forest floor biomass, litterfall and nutrient return in central Himalayan high altitude forests. Vegetatio, 1999, 120: 33-48.

[17] Liu W., Fox J.E.D., Xu Z.. Leaf litter decomposition of canopy trees, bamboo and moss in a moist evergreen broad-leaved forest on Ailao Mountain, Yunnan, south-west China. Ecological Research, 2000, 15(4): 435-447.

[18] Fu M, Fang M, Xie J. 1988. Leaf litter and its decomposition in bamboo timber stands. In: Proceedings of the International Bamboo Workshop, Nov 14–18.

[19] Menaut J.C., Barbault R., Lavalle P., Lepage M.. Tothill J.C., Mott J.J.. African savannas: biological systems of humification and mineralization. Ecology and Management of the World’s Savannas. 1985, Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 14 33

[20] Mtambanengwe F., Kirchman H.. Litter from a tropical savanna woodland (Miombo): chemical composition and C and N mineralization. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 1995, 27(12): 1639-1651.

[21] Myers RJK, Palm CA, Cuevas E, Gunatilleke IUN, Brossard M. 1994. The synchronisation of nutrient mineralization and plant nutrient demand. In:. Woomer PL, Swift MJ (eds.), The Biological Management of Tropical Soil Fertility. TSBF-John Wiley and Sons, pp. 81–116.

[22] Nath A.J., Das A.K.. Decomposition dynamics of three priority bamboo species of homegardens in Barak Valley, Northeast India. International Society for Tropical Ecology, 2011, 52(3): 325-330.

[23] Olson J.A.. Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological system. Ecology, 1963, 44(2): 322-331.

[24] Prescott C.E., Taylor B.R., Parsons W.F.J., Durall D.M., Parkinson D.. Nutrient release from decomposing litter in rocky mountain coniferous forests: influence of nutrient availability. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1993, 23(8): 1576-1586.

[25] Rustad L.E., Cronan C.S.. Element loss and retention during litter decay in a red spruce stand in Maine. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1988, 18(7): 947-953.

[26] Stohlgren T.J.. Litter dynamics in two Sierran mixed conifer forests.II. Nutrient release in decomposing leaf litter. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1988, 18(9): 1136-1144.

[27] Sujatha M.P., Jose A.I., Sankar S.. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release in reed bamboo (Ochlandra travancorica). Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 2003, 2(1): 65-78.

[28] Swift M.J., Heal O.W., Anderson J.M.. Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. 1979, Oxford: Blackwell

[29] Taylor B.R., Parkinson D., Parsons W.F.J.. Nitrogen and lignin content as predictors of litter decay rates: a microcosm test. Ecology, 1989, 70(1): 97-104.

[30] Torreta NK, Takeda H, Azuma JI. 1998. Changes in nitrogen and carbon fractions of the decomposing litter of bamboo. In: Sassa K (ed), Environmental forest science. Proceedings of the IUFRO Division 8 Conference, Kyoto University, Japan, 19–23 October 1998, pp. 231–238.

[31] Tripathi S.K., Singh K.P.. Abiotic and litter quality control during the decomposition of different plant parts in dry tropical bamboo savannain India. Pedobiologia, 1992, 36(4): 109-124.

[32] Tripathi S.K., Singh K.P.. Nutrient immobilization and release patterns during plant decomposition in a dry tropical bamboo savanna, India. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 1992, 14(3): 191-199.

[33] Tripathi S.K., Sumida A., Shibata H., Ono K., Uemura S., Kodama Y., Hara T.. Leaf litterfall and decomposition of different above- and belowground parts of birch (Betula ermanii) trees and dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) shrubs in a young secondary forest in Northern Japan. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2006, 43(2): 237-246.

[34] Upadhyaya V.P., Singh J.S.. Patterns of nutrient immobilization and release in decomposing forest litter in Central Himalaya, India. Journal of Ecology, 1989, 77: 127-146.

[35] Virtucio FD, Manipula BM, Schlegel FM. 1994. Culm yield and biomass productivity of Laak (Sphaerobambos phillipinensis). In: proceedings of 4th International Bamboo Workshop on Bamboo in Asia and the Pacific, Chiangmai, Thailand, 27–30 November, 1991. Forest Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific, Bankok, Thailand, pp. 95–99.

[36] Vogt K.A., Vogt D.J., Bloomfield J.. Persson H., McMichael B.L., Persson H., McMichael B.L.. Input of organic matter to the soil by the tree roots. Plant Roots and Their Environments. 1991, Amsterdam: Elsevier Publications, 171 190