Journal of Environmental Biology

Decomposition and nutrient release pattern of three potential leguminous green manure crops of Mizoram

J. Jopir, K. Upadhyaya* and P. Lalremsang     

Department of Forestry, School of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796 004, India

Received: 05 August 2023                   Revised: 20 November 2023                   Accepted: 06 December 2023

*Corresponding Author Email : kumzu70@gmail.com                  *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5922-8443

Abstract

Aim: The experiment was carried out to understand the decomposition and nutrient release dynamics (N, P and K) of Crotolaria micans Link, Aeschynomene indica L. and Calopogonium mucunoides Desv. using the litter bag technique.

Methodology: The species were harvested at their peak vegetative stage and air-dried for a week. Air-dried samples (10 g) were placed in 20 cm X 20 cm nylon mesh bags and buried at 10 cm soil depth in an experimental plot of 1.5 m X 1.5 m prepared for each species. The bags were retrieved monthly, and the mass and nutrient loss were determined.

Results: C. micans had the highest decay rate (7.67 k per year), followed by C. mucunoides (7.15 k per year) and A. indica (5.50 k per year). During the decomposition period, K release was the fastest. The decay rate was negatively correlated with initial lignin, total phenol and lignin/N of which the total phenol (R² = 0.956) and lignin/N ratio (R² = 0.832) had the most significant influence on decomposition.

Interpretation: The study reveals that the species can be effectively utilized as a soil nutrient input source of which C. micans seems to be the most potential species to be further researched and developed as a green manuring crop.

Key words: Decomposition, Decay rate, Green manure, Legume, Nutrient release

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