Abstract

To study the leaf litter accumulation and mineralisation pattern under different vegetational ecosystem, experiments were conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Kodaikanal during January, 1992 to June, 1992. Plantations of eucalyptus, acecia (both evergreen). apple (deciduous) and pine (coniferous) were selected for the field experiment. The leaf litters were quantified monthly and these were further used in computation of nutrient addition to the system. An incubation study was also conducted using the leaf litter to investigate the mineralisation pattern by observing the C/N ratio. The results revealed that the leaf litter accumulation was appreciable under pine plantation followed by eucalyptus, while a low accumulation was observed in apple and acacia plantations. The accumulation of leaf litter resulted in soil fertility improvement as quantified by the enrichment of nutrients. Owing to their resistant nature, the pine needles mineralised very slowly as compared to the other leaf litters under the climatic conditions in the hills.

Keywords: Leaf litter, Accumulation, Mineralisation, Hilly Soils