Effectof fertilization on N and P resorption efficiency of selected leguminous and nonleguminous tropical trees planted on coal mine spoil.

Abstract

Influence of NPK fertilization on N and P resorption efficiency was studied in nine native tropical tree species planted on coal mine spoil. Of these, Acacia catechu, Albizia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoo and Pongamia pinnata were legumes, while Azadirachta indica, Gmelina arborea, Phyllanthus emblica, Tectona grandis and Terminalia bellirica were nonlegumes. The N and P resorption efficiencies dropped in fertilized plots in all the species. Nonleguminous tree species had exhibited greater efficiency for N resorption than leguminous species. However, no such trend emerged for P resorption between both the groups, as the two nonlegumes A. indica and G. arborea had resorbed P in the range of leguminous tree species. The study indicates that nutrient enrichment reduces internal cycling of nutrients thus facilitating greater amount of nutrient return to soil which in turn would enhance the reclamation process by allowing the colonization of more species due to increased habitat fertility.