106 Original Study of litter decomposition in two nitrogen fixing shrub species, Flemingia macrophylla and Tephrosia candida in Lunglei district of Mizoram C. B. Lalramliani, C. Lalnunzira and S. K. Tripathi Department of Forestry, Mizoram University, Aizawl 796004, India Received 19 July 2016 | Revised 30 August 2016 | Accepted 2 September 2016 ABSTRACT Litter decomposition rates and nutrients released pattern was studied in different components of two nitrogen-fixing shrub species, Flemingia macrophylla and Tephrosia candida planted on slop- ing agriculture land technology (SALT). Two sites, i.e. 10-year-old farm land and 2-year-old farm land which was established on 2002 and 2010 were selected in the same permanent agriculture farm having similar climatic conditions. All measurement was carried out between July 2012 and June 2013. Our results suggest that the mean relative decomposition rates of plant litter were maximum in the rainy season for both sites. Fine roots (<2mm) of both species showed maximum rates of decomposition and nutrient released pattern to the soil. It is believed that both this spe- cies in the farm prevent water and mineral loss as well as continues the supply of nutrients input to the soil through decomposition of different part of plant litters. Key words : Litter decomposition; Flemingia macrophylla; nutrients; SALT; Tephrosia candida. Corresponding author: Tripathi Phone: : +91-9862611409/9436353773 E-mail: sk_tripathi@rediffmail.com INTRODUCTION The balance between plant litter deposition and decomposition controls the accumulation of detrital organic matter within the ecosystem. 1 The type of plant litter may dramatically affect the type of soil organic matter formed. 2 Sub- strate supply and microbial population are mainly responsible for organic matter minerali- zation in the early phase of soil development. Plant residues with different chemical composi- tion show variable mineralization potential and decomposition behavior. 3 Two groups of factors mainly regulate de- compositions: climate and chemical nature of ‘substrate quality’ of the litter. 2 Among the cli- matic variables influencing decomposition, rain- fall and its associated variables are the major factors in the dry tropical regions. 4 High tem- perature and low moisture condition often limit plant growth, 5-6 and reduce decomposer activity. 7 In Mizoram agriculture is mainly done on Science Vision www.sciencevision.org Science Vision www.sciencevision.org Science Vision www.sciencevision.org Science Vision www.sciencevision.org Science Vision 16 (3) July-September ISSN (print) 0975-6175 ISSN (online) 2229-6026 Research CC BY-SA 4.0 International 2016