Research Article | Published: 01 September 2002

Forest floor biomass, litter fall and nutrient return through litters of high density poplar plantations in Tarai of Central Himalaya

L. S. Lodhiyal, Neelu Lodhiyal, Sanjay K. Singh and R. S. Koshiyari

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 25 | Issue: 3 | Page No. 291-303 | 2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2002-7K38X8 | Cite this article

Abstract

This paper describes the litter dynamics and nutrient use efficiency of high density Poplar (Populus deltoides) plantations in 1 to 4 yrs-old stand growing in Tarai belt adjacent to the Central Himalayan mountain, India. Tree density was 666 trees ha-1 in each plantation. In the forest floor biomass, the contribution of partially and more decomposed litter component was highest throughout the year.  The total litter fall was 2.38-5.69 t ha-1 yr-1 and increased with increase in as of stand. Of which, leaf, wood and root litter accounted for 80.6-83.6, 3.2 and 16.2 - 16.6%, respectively. However, the annual replacement of forest floor litters mass range from 93 (4-yr) to 96% (1-yr) with a turnover time 1.04 -1.07 year. The turnover rate of nutrients (NPK) was 0.83 to 0.92. It was decreased with increase in plantation age. The total amount of nutrient return to the soil through litter was 34 - 77 N, 4 - 9 P and 20 - 47 K kg ha-1 yr-1. It was increased with increase in plantation age because of higher litter accumulation. The nutrient use efficiency (NUE) ranged from 70 (1-yr) to 84 (4-yr) for N, 580 (1-yr) to 625 (4-yr) for P and 119 (3-yr) to 120 (4-yr) for K.

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How to cite

Lodhiyal, L.S., Lodhiyal, N., Singh, S.K. and Koshiyari, R.S., 2002. Forest floor biomass, litter fall and nutrient return through litters of high density poplar plantations in Tarai of Central Himalaya. Indian Journal of Forestry, 25(3), pp.291-303. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2002-7K38X8

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Manuscript Published on 01 September 2002

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