NUTRIENTS (N, P AND K) DYNAMICS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAF LITTER OF Albizia saman AND Leucaena leucocephala OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Albizia saman and Leucaena leucocephala are not native to Bangladesh, but they are widely planted in agroforestry and households for their commercial value. Selection of tree species with efficient return of nutrients is a vital challenge to maintain soil fertility for sustainable crop production. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted on nutrients (N, P and K) leaching from leaf litter of A. saman and L. leucocephala in laboratory condition. The initial dry weight of leaf litter of A. saman and L. leucocephala were significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 17% and 26%, respectively at the end (after 96 hours) of the experiment. Leucaena leucocephala showed comparatively (t-test, p<0.05) higher rate of weight loss, conductivity and TDS (Total Dissolved Solid) of leaching water. Comparatively, higher amount of N and K was released from leaf litter of A. saman and higher amount of P from leaf litter of L. leucocephala. Both the species showed similar pattern (K>N>P) of nutrient release during the leaching process and nutrients (N, P and K) concentration in leaf litter of these species showed significant (p<0.05) negative curvilinear relationships with the weight loss.