Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Non-additive effects of masson pine and broadleaved tree species litters on decomposition and nutrient release in montane forest

Author(s):

Wen Fang ^{1, 2}, Yanxin Liu ¹, Lihui Ma ¹, Qin Liang ^{2, 3}, Ping He ²*

Recieved Date: 2014-01-18, Accepted Date: 2014-03-30

Abstract:

Influences of litter mixing on leaf litter decomposition, N, and P releases were investigated in a Pinus massoniana plantation ecosystem in montane China. The hypothesis was tested that the decomposition rate and nutrient release of P. massoniana litter was promoted by litters of native broadleaved trees (Cinnamomun camphora, Quercus fabri, Camellia spp.) with high quality during mixing decomposition, whereas the decomposition rate and nutrient release of native broadleaved tree litters were retarded by P. massoniana litter with low quality. Therefore, a litter mixing experiment was carried out in a montane plantation forest ecosystem in China to reveal the effects of litter mixing on the litter decomposition and nutrient release. Over a 12-month period, the results showed that litter mixing had the non-additive effects on mass loss and nutrient release. The mass loss of P. massoniana was decreased by litter mixing, whereas the mass loss of Q. fabri was increased. Litter mixing increased the N release of P. massoniana litter, whereas mixing slowed the N and P release of C. camphora and Camellia spp. litter. However, litter mixing increased the N and P release of Q. fabri litter, and decreased the P release of P. massoniana litter. Our results indicated that the combinations of masson pine needle litter with other broadleaved leaf litters could synergise litter decomposition, nutrient availability and thus it had advantages in degraded soil restoration and sustainable land management.

Keywords:

Non-additive effect, litter decomposition, nutrient release, Pinus massoniana plantation

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1121-1127

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :