Litterfall and nutrient dynamics in an eighteen-year-old teak plantation

A study on litterfall and nutrient dynamics in an 18-year-old teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) plantation was carried out at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam. The total litterfall for the entire one-year study period was found to be 11255 kg ha-1, of which the leaf litter alone accounted the maximum share of 81.90 % to the total litterfall, followed by the twigs (6.50%), fruits (6.30 %) and flowers (5.30 %). A total of, 110.26 kg ha-1 of nitrogen (N) was returned to the soil through the total litterfall. The total annual P return through litterfall was 17.50 kg ha-1 of which leaves accounted for 75.00 % to the total return, followed by flowers (12.60 %), fruits (10.70 %) and twigs (5.10 %). The total annual potassium (K) return from various litter components was 35.03 kg ha-1 of which, the major share was from leaf litter (79.80 %). The annual total return of calcium (Ca) from litterfall was 348.97 kg ha-1 and magnesium (Mg) return was 78.46 kg ha-1. This study concluded that leaf litter was the primary source of nutrients. Among the return of nutrients, Ca was returned to the soil in greater quantities, followed by N > Mg > K > P.