Litter production and decomposition dynamics of a rare and endemic bamboo species Munrochloa ritcheyi of Western Ghats, India

The present study examined the litter production, decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of Munrochloa ritcheyi, a rare and endemic bamboo species of Western Ghats. The litter production and decomposition were studied using the standard litter trap and bag techniques. The total annual litter production was 2.842 t ha(-1) year(-1). Litter production followed a triphasic pattern with a major peak in February 2012 and two minor peaks in May and December, 2011. The rate of decomposition in M. ritcheyi was a good fit to exponential decay model suggested by Olson (1963). The decomposition rate constant of M. ritcheyi was 0.009 day(-1) and the half-life was 77 days. The decrease in the N and K content of the decomposing litter was continuous whereas P, Ca and Mg showed temporary accumulation phases before final release. The release of nutrients from the decomposing litter was in the order N = Mg > K = Ca > P.