Decomposition of litters of agroforestry tree legumes Suitable for Soil Productivity in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Decomposition of leafy biomass was performed using litterbags at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Onne, Rivers State to determine the decomposition rate of three Agroforestry tree legumes in order to understand the specific food crops to be grown between the biologically different tree species in Niger Delta Region. Enterolobium cyclocarpum decomposed faster than Millettia laurentii and Inga edulis. Overall, a lineal downward trend is indicated, representing exponential decay of the litters. For E. cyclocarpum the decomposition apparently slowed down when about 2 % of the original amount was left. For M. laurentii, this happened when 36 % was left and for I. edulis when 75 % was left. The time required for 50% loss of dry weight for the litters was about one week for E. cyclocarpum, twelve weeks for M. laurentii and over sixteen weeks for I. edulis. The relative rate of decomposition of the three tree species was Enterolobium > Millettia > Inga. Enterolobium cyclocarpum litters are recommended for maize and vegetable cropping. Millettia laurentii is recommended for Pineapple and I. edulis for cassava, yam, plantain, edible fruit and medicinal trees.

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