Nitrogen Dynamics of Actinorhizal Casuarina Forest Stands and its Comparison with Alnus and Leucaena Forests
Background
Nitrogen plays a key role in soil fertility and plant productivity. Therefore, in regions in which deforestation has increasingly led to savannization and desertification, afforestation by fast-growing, n-fixing tree species is preferable. This study examines the characteristics of nitrogen fixing trees.
Research Goals & Methods
The nitrogen retention rates of three dry tropical forest tree species were measured, by examining rates of N cycling through vegetation, litter and soil pools.
Conclusions & Takeaways
Casuarina equisetofolia had the highest rates of N retention and fastest recycling of the N from leaf litter decomposition, back into its tissues thanks to stronger association with mycorrhizal nitrogen-fixing fungi.
Reference:
. Nitrogen deposition in Casuarina equisetifolia (Forst.) plantation stands in the dry tropics of Sonbhadra, India. Forest Ecology and Management. 1994;70:341–348. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(94)90099-x.
Affiliation:
- Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India