Biodegradation of leaf litter in the warm humid tropics of Kerala, India

Ex situ biodegradation of Mangifera indica L, Artocarpus heterophyllus.Lamk. and Anacardium occidentale L. leaf litter were examined in the warm humid tropics of southern Kerala adopting the standard litter bag technique. The time taken for the decay varied with the species and it followed the order Mangifera >Artocarpus>Anacardium. Weight loss accorded a linear decline and was better correlated with soil moisture than temperature. The half-life values were 3.2, 3.4 and 4.0 months for Anacardium, Artocarpus and Mangifera, respectively. Soil faunal and floral activities were monitored during the decay and the earthworms, fungi and bacteria proved the chief degraders of the intact litter. Actinomycetes were active during the final stages. The variations in decay rates of the three species are attributed to the differences in the litter quality and activity of the decomposer organisms in soil. NPK dynamics revealed temporary phases of immobilization for nitrogen and phosphorus before final release, while potassium recorded a continuous release. Decomposition apparently improved the available NPK status of soil, potassium being liable to leaching was soon lost from the surface soil.