ISSN 2375-1096
International Journal of Agroforestry and Silviculture ISSN: 2375-1096 Vol. 10 (10), pp. 001-009, October 2022. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Nutrient mineralization patterns of selected agroforestry shrub specie’s foliage litter in Dello-menna District of Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia
Wondmagegn Bekele1*, Lisanework Nigatu2 and Lemma Wogi2
1Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research Center, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia.
2Haramaya University School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya, Ethiopia.
Accepted 02 April, 2022
Abstract
Mineralization is a decomposition process accounting for the recycling of nutrients from decomposing organic materials. A study was conducted to understand the general mineralization pattern of three agroforestry species foliage litter grown in Dello-menna district of Bale, Southeast Ethiopia. The experiment was installed by using factorial RCBD design considering species types (Cajanus Cajan, Sesbania sesban and Flemingia macrophylla) as main plot and incubation period (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days) as sub-plot factors. To understand the temporal trend of mineralization the amount of nutrient remained at different time was plotted against time. Further, nutrient mineralization rates constant (k day-1) computed by single exponential model as the relation between mineralization rates constant and litter chemical quality indices examined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The result of the study revealed that, the amount of nutrients mineralized and rates of mineralization among the species was considerably (P < 0.05) varied. It is reported that, by the end of the study period more than 87% of the initial nutrient contents of litter residues were mineralized and added to the soil except carbon. Among the species the higher amount of K (97.87%), N (95.89%), Ca (95.78%), Mg (94.72%) and C (57.94%) reported for S. sesban litter residue than others. In terms of p, foliage litter material of C. cajan (94.43%) perceived the better potential followed by F. macrophylla (90.69%), and S. sesban (87.72%), respectively. Moreover, the mineralization rate of nutrients among the species reported in the order of K > N > Ca > Mg > P > C for S. sesban, K > Mg > Ca = P > N > C for F. macrophylla and P>K> Mg > N = Ca > C for C. cajan. This shows except for C. cajan the mineralization rate constant of potassium happened to be the fastest for the remaining species. The study also added knowledge on the relationship existing between mineralization rates constant and litter chemical quality indices. Accordingly, lignin, cellulose, LCI, total phenol and C/N ratio associate negatively while N and P reported positively. From tested species, S. sesban identified as the best species for returning higher amount of nutrients within a short period followed by C. cajan and F. macrophylla, respectively. To sum up, since this experiment was conducted in one site for one season further long time study over location is recommended in order to come to conclusive recommendation.
Keywords: Cajanus cajan, Flemingia macrophylla, Litter chemical quality, Sesbania sesban.
Mineralization is a decomposition process accounting for the recycling of nutrients from decomposing organic materials. A study was conducted to understand the general mineralization pattern of three agroforestry species foliage litter grown in Dello-menna district of Bale, Southeast Ethiopia. The experiment was installed by using factorial RCBD design considering species types (Cajanus Cajan, Sesbania sesban and Flemingia macrophylla) as main plot and incubation period (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days) as sub-plot factors. To understand the temporal trend of mineralization the amount of nutrient remained at different time was plotted against time. Further, nutrient mineralization rates constant (k day-1) computed by single exponential model as the relation between mineralization rates constant and litter chemical quality indices examined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The result of the study revealed that, the amount of nutrients mineralized and rates of mineralization among the species was considerably (P < 0.05) varied. It is reported that, by the end of the study period more than 87% of the initial nutrient contents of litter residues were mineralized and added to the soil except carbon. Among the species the higher amount of K (97.87%), N (95.89%), Ca (95.78%), Mg (94.72%) and C (57.94%) reported for S. sesban litter residue than others. In terms of p, foliage litter material of C. cajan (94.43%) perceived the better potential followed by F. macrophylla (90.69%), and S. sesban (87.72%), respectively. Moreover, the mineralization rate of nutrients among the species reported in the order of K > N > Ca > Mg > P > C for S. sesban, K > Mg > Ca = P > N > C for F. macrophylla and P>K> Mg > N = Ca > C for C. cajan. This shows except for C. cajan the mineralization rate constant of potassium happened to be the fastest for the remaining species. The study also added knowledge on the relationship existing between mineralization rates constant and litter chemical quality indices. Accordingly, lignin, cellulose, LCI, total phenol and C/N ratio associate negatively while N and P reported positively. From tested species, S. sesban identified as the best species for returning higher amount of nutrients within a short period followed by C. cajan and F. macrophylla, respectively. To sum up, since this experiment was conducted in one site for one season further long time study over location is recommended in order to come to conclusive recommendation.
Keywords: Cajanus cajan, Flemingia macrophylla, Litter chemical quality, Sesbania sesban.