Litter quality and decomposition along climatic gradient in northern Cameroon

Abstract

In the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon, Jatropha curcas L. and Jatropha gossipifolia L. are among the species integrated in farmer production systems. Despite their importance in rural areas, little attention is paid to their litters. The overall objective of this work is to contribute to the valorization of Jatropha in the region. Leaf litter collected was put in litterbags and incubated in situ in three stations following the climatic gradient from Ngaoundere to Maroua via Ngong under and outside tree canopy. The experimental design was a split-split-plot. Data was subjected to analysis of the variance. The results obtained reveal that the litters of the two species differ in their physico - chemical characteristics. The remaining dry mass varies significantly (0.0002 < 0.001) according to stations: 0.89% (Ngaoundere), 2.85% (Ngong) and 8.80% (Maroua), 16 weeks after incubation. It is also significant (0.0003 < 0.001) between micro stations: under (6.58 ± 0.96) and outside canopy (1.79 ± 0.72). The rate of litter decomposition decreases from the humid to the dry station. Litter decomposition is faster outside than under canopy. Litters of the two species are both labile.