Effect of N and P Additions on Decomposition of Leaf Litter in a Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantation

Leaf litter decomposition with N and P additions were studied in a Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation in South China, it could provided reference for nutrient management of C.lanceolata plantation management. The finding indicated that decomposition rate of leaf litter of C.lanceolata was postponed by N addition, that with P addition was the fastest among all treatments and N + P addition treatment also accelerated leaf litter decomposition. Twenty-four months after the decomposition, the N content of leaf litter with N addition greater than its initial N content, whereas that with P and N + P additions was significantly smaller than their initial N content. The P content of leaf litter in all treatments was significantly greater than their initial P content. The K content of leaf litter displayed a pattern of leaching-enrichment-release.