Effect of litter type on growth and nutrient content of perennial grasses
Abstract
Biomass, cover, density, height and concentrations
of N, P, C, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were evaluated in
Sporobolus crvptandrus and Eragrostis lehmanniana at
flowering and at seed ripening stage to determine whether
these attributes are affected by the type of litter used
or by litter treatment. Annual rye, California poppy and
rye-poppy mixture were the sources of litter while litter
treatments included removing organic residue, leaving
organic residue standing or roto-tilling organic residue
into the surface soil. The effect of litter type and
litter treatment on the soil was evaluated. A parallel
greenhouse experiment was carried out.
Results indicate that California poppy contained
a higher level of all nutrients studied compared to annual
rye and contained about twice the concentrations of N,
~~~ Zn and Fe. For both annuals and perennials, the
nutrient content generally decreased between flowering
and seed ripening with annuals indicating more decline
than perennial grasses. The greatest decline was observed
for N in California poppy. Field observationconfirmed
that the non-lignified California poppy shoots
broke down faster than culms of annual rye.
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Biomass production in Sporobolus and Eraqrostis
was unaffected by litter type. However, for both species
the highest biomass was obtained in the tilled treatment.
Litter tilling produced more vigorous and healthier
plants compared to other treatments.
Except for P, nutrient concentrations were largely
unaffected by litter type. The highest P concentrations
were consistently obtained from perennial plants grown
in annual rye plots. Fe and Cu concentrations were
consistently higher in the tilled treatment. C and P
appeared unaffected by litter treatment. N, Mn and Zn
concentrations were more variable and more difficult to
categorize.
In soil samples, all nutrient concentrations were
higher at the end of the study than at the beginning.
Litter source appeared to have minimum effect on nutrient
concentration while tilled treatment was superior to
standing which was superior to the removed treatment .
Citation
Ngethe, J. C(1984). Effect of litter type on growth and nutrient content of perennial grassesPublisher
Department of Range Management, University of Nairobi
Description
Phd Thesis