Decomposition and Nitrogen Release Rates of Foliar Litter from Single and Mixed Agroforestry Species under Field Conditions

Decomposition and N release pattern from the leaves of three shrubs species were studied under field conditions. Leaves Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.), Guazuma ulmifolia (Lam.) Moringa oleifera two mixtures, + Guazuma, in a complete randomized block design, during dry wet seasons. Litterbags randomly distributed each experimental placed on soil surface, residues recovered after 2, 4, 8, 16 weeks. Double exponential model decay was better fitted to describe various leaf constituents. Litter weight loss faster Moringa, followed by mixture, while litter decomposed much slower. In period, rapid observed for (60%) (43%) first contrast, mixture released about 46% most their 8 ranked first, having lost 81 75% its initial N, respectively. The ratios condensed tannin polyphenols significantly correlated with released. It concluded that mass high rainy period comparison period. residue disappearance an asymptotic model, more than 80% original 16-week study