Influence of Drying Condition on Decomposition and Nitrogen Mineralization of Legume Leaves

The influence of drying condition on the rate of decomposition and nitrogen mineralization of Gliricidia sepium and Acacia auriculiformis leaves were studied when fresh, air dried and sun dried. These were packaged at 50 g/bag in polyvinyl bags and deposited on the field for decomposition. After 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 92 days, three bags of each treatment per species were collected at interval from the field for evaluating change in weight and nitrogen as decomposition progressed. Thereafter, the pattern of decomposition and the nitrogen mineralization of the leaves as affected by drying conditions were verified. For both samples, higher initial nitrogen content were obtained for air dried and sun dried compared with fresh leaves. Gliricidia sepium had higher rate of decomposition than Acacia auriculiformis for the different imposed drying conditions. Immobilisation as a result of high temperature were observed in both species. Both litters may supply sufficient nutrient to meet crop demand