Some factors affecting rate of leaf litter decomposition of ipil- ipil (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit.) and two grassland species

Date

10-1978

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Percy Sajise

Abstract

Major Adviser : Dr. Percy E. Sajise

A series of decomposition experiments were conducted in order to understand some of the changes taking place in the breakdown of different leaf litter materials. Ine formation gathered may be used as basis for harnessing natural processes for enhancing reforestation and crop productivity through proper nutrient balance.

Decomposition effectivity of two fungi species, Rhizoctonia hiemalis and sterile dark mycelia on leaf litters of Leucaena leucocephala, Imperata cylindrica and Saccharum spontaneum or their combinations were tested to determine their role as decomposer microorganisms.

Results show that contaminants were present in the specifically inoculated treatments. This tends to cast doubts on the validity of the effect of the fungal inocu-lants. However, a greater degree of decomposition occured

in Leuceone leaf litters than with Impernte and Saccherum leaf litters. Significant difference in weight loss of different treatments were observed. The control shows the highest decrease in weight.

Increasing amounts of Leucaena leaf litter added to grass leaf litter poor in nitrogen contributed to the narrowing of the C:N ratio thereby promoting rapid decomposition rate. As mineralization proceeds, the CiN ratio even- tually falls off because carbon is given off as CO, while nitrogen is immobilized by the decomposing fungi.

NPK analysis on both decomposed leaf litters and leach- ate was shown to be a useful tool in estimating the proportion of nutrients released back to the soil solution and inmobilized by the decomposing microorganisms. A direct correlation was observed between decomposition nutrients.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Notes

Botany

Document Type

Thesis

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