Influence of forest litter on reclamation of semiarid sodic soils

Litter fall and forest floor organic detritus mass were estimated in a 36‐year old rehabilitated forest on sodic soils at Lucknow, north India (26°45’ N, 80° 53’ E). Of the 11.9 ± 1.7 Mg ha‐1 yr‐1 of litter input, 63% leaf, 22% twig, and 15% flower‐fruit were determined. Monthly litter fall declined exponentially (from 330 to 25 g m‐1) from spring to autumn. The forest floor was differentiated into L, F, and H organic layers, ranging from 3 to 5 Mg ha‐1 in detritus mass. Litter decomposition was from 43% to 47% per year. Leaf litter contained the largest quantities of ash, N, and P. Conversely, woody litter contained a higher amount of C. Carbon concentrations decreased from the L to the H layer as the trend of ash content increased. Throughputs of C and nutrient contents across the forest floor significantly altered some of the soil properties. Bulk density, EC, and pH were reduced in the forested soil. Additionally, increases in C and N contents enriched the fertility of the sodic soil. However, concentrations of available N and P fractions did not change significantly.