K AND Na LEACHING FROM LEAF LITTER OF ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS (CUNN. EX  BENTH.)

K Sarkar; M Hossain; M.S. Limon; M.S. Islam

doi:10.53808/KUS.SI.FRCC.2006.79-82-ls

Authors

K Sarkar Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
M Hossain Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
M.S. Limon Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh
M.S. Islam Soil Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.SI.FRCC.2006.79-82-ls

Keywords:

Agroforestry, leaf litter, nutrient return, potassium, sodium

Abstract

Acacia auriculiformis (Cunn. Ex Benth.) is now widely planted in different agroforestry models. The prime use of this species is for fuel wood and to some extent as furniture timber at the northern and central part of Bangladesh. In agroforestry, trees and agricultural crops sharing the nutrients from the same piece of land. Trees uptake nutrients from the soil and some portion of that nutrient again back to the soil through the leaching process and decomposition of litter. K and Na leaching from leaf litter of Acacia auriculiformis was studied in the laboratory. About 16% of initial dry weight of leaf litter was lost after 168 hours. Weight loss of leaf litter, conductivity and TDS (Total Dissolve Solid) of leached water showed significant (p<0.05) positive curvilinear relationship with leaching time. The initial concentration of K and Na in leaf litter significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 2247 mg g^-1 and 735 mg g^-1 respectively after 96 hours and showed significant (p<0.05) negative curvilinear relationship with weight loss. The pattern of K and Na leaching from the leaf litter of Acacia auriculiformis might help agroforestry practitioners to add a new criteria to choose potential tree species for their farming system.

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