Decomposition and nutrient release from leaf litter in Eucalyptus grandis plantations on three different soils in Entre Ríos, Argentina

Abstract

The decay of organic matter returned to the soil via litter fall is an important source of nutrients for vegetation uptake. The rate of decomposition of organic matter, release, and immobilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and aluminum of fresh leaf litter of Eucalyptus grandis were measured using litter bags in three trial plots located on an Oxic Quartzipsamment (red sandy), a Fluventic Haplumbrept (dark sandy), and an Argiudolic Pelludert soil (black clay soils). The annual rate of decay of dry matter (k) was faster in clay soil (0.44) than in both sandy soils (0.30). Temporal patterns of changes in nutrient concentration in leaf litter were similar at both sandy soil sites compared to the clay soil. Nitrogen and phosphorus increased over time at all sites, but their immobilization was greater at the clay soil site. Calcium, magnesium and manganese fluctuated with a different pattern in each soil type. Iron and aluminum showed a similar pattern of increasing concentration at each site. A higher rate of dry mass loss, together with an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus immobilization, was observed at the more fertile clay soil site.