Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions

Characterization of degradation of an Alfisol caused by clearing and long-term cultivation and the effect of the degradation on leaf (Cajanus cajan) decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release were studied in the humid zone of southwest Nigeria. Degradation of the Alfisol as a result of land cleari...

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Autor principal: Tian, G.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 1998
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/95938
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author Tian, G.
author_browse Tian, G.
author_facet Tian, G.
author_sort Tian, G.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Characterization of degradation of an Alfisol caused by clearing and long-term cultivation and the effect of the degradation on leaf (Cajanus cajan) decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release were studied in the humid zone of southwest Nigeria. Degradation of the Alfisol as a result of land clearing and 17-year continuous cropping led to loss of soil biota and deterioration of soil physical and chemical properties. Compared with nondegraded soil, the degraded soil was 38% lower in soil organic carbon, 55% lower in exchangeable bases, 56% lower in microbial biomass, and had 44% lower microarthropod density, 34% less silt, and 88% less water infiltration; it also had 13% higher bulk density and 14% more sand. Soil pH was lower in the degraded than in the nondegraded soil. The macrofauna community in the degraded soil was termite-dominant (Ancistratermes cavithorax), whereas it was earthworm-dominant (Hyperiodrilus africanus) in the nondegraded soil. Leaf decomposition and nutrient release were lower in the degraded soil than in the nondegraded soil during the 150-day experiment. Higher decreases in leaf decomposition and nutrient release in the degraded soil were observed when macrofauna were excluded. Macrofauna-mediated leaf decomposition and nutrient release in the degraded soil were higher than in the nondegraded soil. Irrespective of soil degradation, macrofauna-mediated decomposition and nutrient release resulted in net nutrient mineralization.
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spelling CGSpace959382023-02-15T06:46:36Z Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions Tian, G. cultivation soil degradation nutrient release soil macrofauna humid tropics Characterization of degradation of an Alfisol caused by clearing and long-term cultivation and the effect of the degradation on leaf (Cajanus cajan) decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release were studied in the humid zone of southwest Nigeria. Degradation of the Alfisol as a result of land clearing and 17-year continuous cropping led to loss of soil biota and deterioration of soil physical and chemical properties. Compared with nondegraded soil, the degraded soil was 38% lower in soil organic carbon, 55% lower in exchangeable bases, 56% lower in microbial biomass, and had 44% lower microarthropod density, 34% less silt, and 88% less water infiltration; it also had 13% higher bulk density and 14% more sand. Soil pH was lower in the degraded than in the nondegraded soil. The macrofauna community in the degraded soil was termite-dominant (Ancistratermes cavithorax), whereas it was earthworm-dominant (Hyperiodrilus africanus) in the nondegraded soil. Leaf decomposition and nutrient release were lower in the degraded soil than in the nondegraded soil during the 150-day experiment. Higher decreases in leaf decomposition and nutrient release in the degraded soil were observed when macrofauna were excluded. Macrofauna-mediated leaf decomposition and nutrient release in the degraded soil were higher than in the nondegraded soil. Irrespective of soil degradation, macrofauna-mediated decomposition and nutrient release resulted in net nutrient mineralization. 1998 2018-07-05T06:30:16Z 2018-07-05T06:30:16Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/95938 en Limited Access Tian, G. (1998). Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions. Soil Science, 163(11), 897-906.
spellingShingle cultivation
soil degradation
nutrient release
soil macrofauna
humid tropics
Tian, G.
Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title_full Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title_fullStr Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title_full_unstemmed Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title_short Effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
title_sort effect of soil degradation on leaf decomposition and nutrient release under humid tropical conditions
topic cultivation
soil degradation
nutrient release
soil macrofauna
humid tropics
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/95938
work_keys_str_mv AT tiang effectofsoildegradationonleafdecompositionandnutrientreleaseunderhumidtropicalconditions