Abstract

PETIT-ALDANA, Judith et al. Descomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaves of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. and Moringa oleifera Lam. in a mixed fodder bank. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.1, pp.5-25. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2011.03.025.

Decomposition rates and nitrogen (N) and organic matter (OM) release patterns of leaves of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. and Moringa oleifera Lam. in a mixed fodder bank in Yucatán, Mexico, in the rainy and dry seasons, were assessed. The experimental units were formed in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and four replicates. A total of 120 litterbags were filled with fresh leaves of the species collected and placed in each experimental unit. We assessed three incubation periods per treatment: four, eight and 16 weeks for each season (rainy and dry). At the end of the experiment, it was apparent that the decomposition process was faster in the rainy season. Weight loss and N and OM release were faster in M. oleifera in monoculture and L. leucocephala and M. oleifera mixed. The decomposition patterns of all species followed the simple exponential model, with more than 80 % of the initial mass incorporated by the end of the study period. We concluded that G. ulmifolia, L. leucocephala, and M. oleifera in monoculture and mixtures demonstrated their ability to produce considerable amounts of OM and release significant amounts of N in short periods.

Keywords : Agroforestry; fodder; decomposition; leaf litter chemistry; nitrogen; organic matter.

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