Effects of decomposed leaf litter mixtures from Platycladus orientalis and broadleaf tree species on soil properties

Abstract

Determining the effects of decomposed leaf litter mixtures, consisting of litter from different tree species, on the properties of soil is important for evaluating nutrient cycling and interspecific relationships. In this study, leaf litter mixtures consisting of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco combined individually with eight broadleaf plant species were ground and mixed with soil to analyze the effects of their decomposition on the quantity of soil microbes, the activities of soil enzymes, and the soil chemical properties and to determine the interactions between the different types of litter within a mixture during decomposition. In terms of soil properties as a whole, we found that when P. orientalis litter was mixed separately with litter from Amorpha fruticosa L., Caragana microphylla Lam., Betula platyphylla Suk., or Hippophae rhamnoides L., the resulting litter mixtures showed synergistic interaction effects on soil, but when P. orientalis litter was mixed with litter from Populus simonii Carr., Ulmus pumila L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., or Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. showed antagonistic interaction effects.