Abstract
The influence of litter quality on microbial population during decomposition of fresh pruning of Acacia auriculiformis; Gliricidia sepium and Acacia mixed with Gliricidia (50 : 50) is reported. Acacia (soluble C, 46.6%; N, 3.9%; Phenolic, 2.3%) was rated as low quality litter while Gliricidia (soluble C, 45.2%; N, 4.8%; Phenolic, 2.3%) was rated as high quality litter. Acacia mixed with Gliricidia (50 : 50) had an initial phase of rapid decomposition followed by a second phase of comparatively lower decomposition rate. Acacia litter showed only a single phase of decomposition. Bacteria population increased linearly with nutrient content that was immobilized during decomposition, while fungal population varied more with litter type than with different phases of decomposition. Generally, the bacteria population isolated from Acacia-Gliricidia mixture was highest, followed by Gliricidia while it is lowest in Acacia, however more fungal population were isolated from Acacia litter than Gliricidia litter in all the phases of decomposition.
Highlights
Both economic and environmental concerns have led to a renew interest in legume residues as a source of nitrogen in agricultural systems
Based on the result of the chemical analysis of the relevant contents, Acacia auriculiformis was rated as having low quality litter with 46.6% soluble carbon and 14.4% phenol while Gliricidia sepium was rated as high quality litter
Patterns of litter decomposition: With the exception of Acacia litter, Gliricidia litter and Gliricidia mixed with Acacia (50;50) litter had an initial phase of rapid decomposition followed by a second phase of comparatively lower decomposition rate
Summary
Both economic and environmental concerns have led to a renew interest in legume residues as a source of nitrogen in agricultural systems. The main drive in research has been to find ways of predicting the rate of litter decomposition and rate of nutrient release from the chemical composition of the resource[1]. The rate of decomposition of any resource (leaf, fruit, twig, root and faecal pellet) available to microorganisms is controlled by the physico-chemical environment and its intrinsic properties (resource quality). The term resource quality embraces those intrinsic properties of a resource, which determine the activities of decomposer organisms in a specific way. Lignin can act both as a carbon and energy source as well as a modifier
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