Effect of growing pinus on litter and chemical properties of a dark-red latosol originally under "cerrado" vegetation: I. Effect on litter amount and composition.

Abstract

Samples were collected from the litter covering a Dark-red Latosol, sandy phase, on which tree Pinus forests of varying ages were grown and from an adjacent area still under the native "cerrado" vegetation in Assis city, São Paulo State, Brazil. The Pinus stands were, Pinus elliottii (9, 14 and 19 years old), Pinus patula (19 years old) and Pinus taeda (19 years old). The litter accumulated under each vegetation was quantitatively determined as well as their respective ma cronutrient content. Amount of accumulated litter and total macronutrient content (kg/ha) were similar for all treatments, but nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium content {%) were higher in the litter under "cerrado"vegetation.