Cardamom, mandarin and nitrogen-fixing trees in agroforestry systems in India's Himalayan region. I. Litterfall and decomposition

Abstract

Litterfall and decomposition were studied in agroforestry systems involving large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata) in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. There were stands with N2-fixing trees (Alnus nepalensis over large cardamom, and Albizia stipulata over mandarin agroforestry) or without them (native non-symbiotic mixed tree species) in both systems. The total annual litter (litter + crop residue) production was higher in the Alnus-cardamom than in the forest-cardamom stand and in the mandarin than in the Albizia-mandarin stand. The ratio of litter production to floor litter was higher in the N2-fixing stands than in the non-N2-fixing stands, indicating a faster litter turnover in the former. Tree litterfall occurred throughout the year, but with marked peaks during November to April. Total soluble polyphenolics of fresh litter were higher in N2-fixing species than in mixed tree species and crops. Half-life values for ash-free mass were shortest in the leaves of N2-fixing species. N loss was higher from N2-fixing Alnus and Albizia leaves, whereas P loss was faster and nearly equal in Alnus leaf litter and cardamom residue in cardamom, and Albizia leaf litter and crop residue in mandarin agroforestry systems. The P turnover in N2-fixing Alnus and Albizia twigs was faster than in the twigs of mixed tree species. The N2-fixing tree species increased the N and P cycling through production of more above-ground litter and influenced greater release of these nutrients.