GROWTH, LITTERFALL AND LITTER DECOMPOSITION OF <em>CASUARINA</em> <em>EQUISETIFOLIA</em> IN A SEMIARID ZONE

Abstract

UMA M, SARAVANAN TS & RAJENDRAN K. 2014. Growth, litterfall and litter decomposition of Casuarina equisetifolia in a semiarid zone. Tree growth, litterfall, litter decomposition, nutrient return through litter and litter decomposing microorganisms were quantified in 1-, 2- and 3-year-old high density Casuarina equisetifolia plantation (10,000 trees ha^-1) in a semiarid zone of Tamil Nadu, India. The growth of trees recorded 2.6 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) with total height of 3.8 m. The basal diameter and volume of trees were 12.4 cm and 0.0017 m3 respectively 12 months after planting. Three-year-old trees showed 6.5 cm dbh with total height of 13.3 m. Their basal diameter and volume were 26.4 cm and 0.0372 m³ respectively. Litterfall was recorded at a rate of 0.64, 4.69 and 5.19 t ha^-1 year-1 in 1-, 2- and 3-year-old plantations. Nutrient turnover through litter was in the order of Ca > N > K > Mg >Na >P >Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr in all ages. The constant value of annual decomposition was 1.83. Decomposition rate was higher during the rainy season. Seven fungal species were isolated and identified in the litter of 3-year-old plantation.