Litter dynamics and nutrient flux in endemic bamboo species Dendrocalamus stocksii plantations in moist semi-arid zones of peninsular India

The study was undertaken to understand litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release pattern of popularly grown bamboo species, Dendrocalamus stocksii, in the moist semi-arid agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, India. The litter production and decomposition were studied using the standard litter trap and bag techniques. The total annual litter production in 2017 was 6.03 Mg ha-1 year-1 for Gottipura and 5.81 t ha-1 year-1 for Nallal. Litter production was continuous, but the quantity of litter produced varied with season and month. Nutrient concentrations in monthly litter samples varied. Peak litter fall was concentrated during the hot-dry period (February-May) as 62.8 per cent at Gottipura and 52.2 per cent at Nallal site. The collected litter from the litter traps was dominated by leaf litter. Litter production followed a similar pattern for both locations, with a major peak in March 2017, it was found that both types of litter and filter paper had an initial rapid phase of decomposition followed by a slower phase. The increase in percentage nutrient content in litter samples found in litter bags collected month-wise have been attributed to the high temperature and increased rates of mineralization assisted by soil microbes over the low immobilization rate.