Concentration of Nutrients in Litterfall of some Tree Species in Various Agroclimatic Zones of Punjab

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of macro and micronutrients in litterfall of tree species existing in various agroclimatic zones of Punjab. Tree plantations were selected in three agroclimatic zones of the state viz., four species (Subabul, Shisham, Khair and Kikar) in sub montane zone, six species (Eucalyptus, Dek, Shisham, Siris, Subabul and Kikar) in semi arid zone and four species (Dek, Eucalyptus, Shisham and Arjun) in Central plain zone. Similarly, ten Poplar plantations i.e. five aged two years and five aged five years having fodder-wheat rotation were selected in Poplar growing belt of Punjab. Different macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) were determined in the litterfall of these tree plantations. The concentration of macro as well as micronutrients varied significantly among various tree species in all the agroclimatic zones. Concentration of N (0.94-1.36%) among macronutrients and that of Fe (942-1316 mg/kg) among micronutrients was higher than other nutrients in various zones. The concentration of N, P, Fe and Mn was relatively higher in Subabul and lower in arjun than the other tree species. In Poplar plantations, the nutrient concentration also varied significantly among different plantations. The concentration of all the macro and micronutrients was the highest in younger (N: 1.17 %, Zn: 3.91 mg/kg) than the older (N: 0.99 %, Zn: 3.35 mg/kg) Poplar plantations. The study would be useful to estimate the return of macro and micronutrients through litterfall of tree species.