Rates of decomposition and nutrient mineralization of leaf litter from different orchards under hot and dry sub-humid climate

Decomposition and nutrient mineralisation of leaf litter in smallholder cocoa agroforests: a comparison of organic and conventional farms in Ghana

“…Depletion of soil nutrients and organic matter is a serious threat to sustaining cocoa production in West Africa and elsewhere (Daymond et al 2017;Kaba 2017). Dwindling soil nutrients limit cocoa production in major cocoa-producing countries (Hütz-Adams et al 2016;Daymond et al 2017;Kaba 2017 vegetation is a major pathway by which nutrients are returned to soils (Triadiati et al 2011;Naik et al 2018). Plant litter improves soil organic matter quality and quantity which in turn enhances soil quality through reducing bulk density and erosion, enhancing soil structure, increasing cation-exchange capacity, infiltration, water holding capacity, and the retention of soil nutrients (Murphy 2014;Bünemann et al 2018).…”

“…Plant litterfall therefore plays a critical role in determining the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil as well as the productivity of an ecosystem. Litter in general and leaf litter in particular is a central nutrient resource and litterfall is a critical link between plants and soils for the return and recycling of organic matter and nutrients (Hartemink 2005;Triadiati et al 2011;van Vliet et al 2015;Naik et al 2018) and maintenance of soil fertility and ultimately contributes to the regulation of primary productivity in an ecosystem (Mamani-Pati et al 2012;Fontes et al 2014). Decomposition is a complex process that reduces dead organic matter or litter into mineral nutrients, water and carbon dioxide (Dawoe et al 2010;Kaba 2017).…”

“…The rate of litter decomposition in an ecosystem depends on the interaction of a variety of factors such as litter quantity and quality (e.g. concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, lignin, polyphenols and their ratios), variety, composition and activities of decomposers, climatic conditions (particularly temperature and humidity), soil nutrient content and availability, age of vegetation or plantation, and vegetation and management types (Dawoe et al 2010;Triadiati et al 2011;Hasanuzzaman and Mahmood 2014;Kaba 2017;Naik et al 2018).…”

“…According to Naik et al (2018) and Kaba (2017), the rate of organic matter decomposition is critical to the functionality of any agroforestry system. Organic matter decomposition returns nutrients to the soil, reducing or possibly eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers, thus, contributing to their sustainability (Fontes et al 2014;Costa et al 2017;Asigbaase 2019).…”

Role of Leaf Litter on the Incorporation of Copper-Containing Pesticides into Soils Under Fruit Production: a Review

“…Regarding the leaf drop and decomposition, soil Cu enrichment drives from the fall and accumulation of Cu-enriched leaves and dry or wet deposition of Cu-rich aerosols. Decomposition of litter accumulated in soil is a critical step in the nutrient cycle and supply (Naik et al 2018). Nevertheless, litter decomposition will depend on soil microbial activity and litter "quality" (Bani et al 2018) in terms of lignin and nitrogen (N) contents and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio .…”