Decomposition of Cassava and Vegetable Cowpea leaf litters under field and Laboratory conditions

Abstract

Management of plant residues is critically important in keeping the soil supplied with essential nutrients, the supply of which depends on the decomposition of the plant materials. Two related studies using three leaf residue types' cassava and vegetable cowpea leaves were carried out in the field and under controlled laboratory conditions to determine the rate of their decomposition using litter bag technique. The carbon dioxide evolution by the three leaf residues namely, Oven dry leaf litter, fresh leaf litter and green leaf of both cassava and cowpea was also monitored for twelve weeks. All the residues attained up to 90% decomposition in the short period of time. While the periodic carbon dioxide evolution decreased, the cumulative evolution increased with length of incubation. The control had the least carbon dioxide evolution. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 17 2007: pp. 38-42