Litter Fall Decomposition and Its Effects on Nutrient Accretion to Soil Under Agroforestry Systems

Litter fall is an essential component of the nutrient cycle in agroforestry systems, which is directly relevant to nutrient accretion and restoration, soil organic matter buildup, biodiversity stability, and other ecological functions. In agroforestry, the production of litter fall and the rate of its decomposition are key determining variables for soil nutrient accumulation. Litter deposition plays a key role in the interaction between plants and soil because it aids in incorporating nutrients and carbon from plants into the soil. According to the morphological characteristics of the vegetation, such as tree size, species variety, and density, litter generation provides essential information about the performance of the soil system and is related to soil nutrient dynamics. Therefore, for sustainable soil management, a better understanding of the crucial processes in the nutrient cycle is essential. This chapter discussed the role of plant litter in agroforestry systems with the aim of evaluating the significance of plant litter in agroforestry systems for soil nutrient availability. Then, the major factors that affect tree litter production and decomposition were recognized. Further, the potential of plant litter to enhance the accumulation of soil nutrients in agroforestry systems is discussed.