Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release in Salix spp. under temperate conditions of Kashmir valley (India).

Litter bag experiment was carried out during 2006 2007 to study the role of microorganisms in leaf litter decomposition of Salix alba and Salix fragilis under natural Salix stands. The experiment was laid in completely randomized design with three replications which comprised ten treatment combination of 5 inoculants (No-inoculant, Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas fluorescene, effective microorganism and combination of Azotobacter chroococum + Pseudomonas fluorescens + effective microorganisms). Higher rate of decomposition of leaf litter was recorded in June in case of Salix fragilis (88.90%) as compared to Salix alba (80.16%). Lower rates of decomposition of both the species were recorded in January. Plant N, P, K, Ca, Mg and organic carbon release showed an increasing trend from July onwards upto November and immobilization of above nutrients was observed in December and January. In the succeeding months an increasing trend in the nutrient release was observed. Highest nutrient release was recorded under combined inoculation of Azotobacter chroococcum + Pseudomonas fluorescens + effective microorganisms followed by effective microorganisms as compared to other treatments and control. Combined inoculation resulted in a significant increase in total viable bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes followed by effective microorganisms, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Azotobacter chrococcum and control respectively. Thus the treatment combination of Azotobacter chroococcum + Psuedomonas florescens + effective microorganisms proved to be the best for decomposition of Salix leaf litter and nutrient release