干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Quantification and kinetics of fauna associated litter decomposition, nutrient dynamics and biochemical changes in soil of Acacia senegal Wild tree based silvipasture system of Indian desert was studied at Jodhpur. The system has Cenchrus ciliaris Linn. (CC) and Lasiurus sindicus Henr. (LS) grasses. The litter bag experiment was performed by placing litters inside and outside the tree canopy at surface, 5 and 10cm depths. Samples were analyzed at 4.8 and 12 month of intervals. Mainly soil micro- and macroarthopods were associated with litter decomposition. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonical nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorous, respiration and dehydrogenase activity were determined in litter decomposing soil. Faunal association was maximum in a mixture of A. senegal Wild and L. sindicus Henr. (T+LS) litters. The faunal population and litter decomposition were significantly higher inside the canopy of the tree and at 5 cm depth. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, respiration and dehydrogenase activity were greater in the mixture of tree and grass litters than tree litter alone. Total nitrogen. ammonical nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorous, respiration and dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher under the canopy zone. However, organic carbon was maximum at surface and minimum at 5 cm depth. A positive and significant correlation among litter-associated fauna. litter decomposition, chemical and biochemical properties during decomposition demonstrated the interacting effects of fauna and leaf litters on functional aspects of soil in Acacia senegal Wild based silvipasture system. Therefore, the strategy involving belowground faunal resources in litter reduction may be useful for improvement of desertic land on a sustainable and self operating basis.