Litter Decomposition in Three Plantation Species in Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Regions of Central India: Impact of Climate, Substrate Quality and Earthworm Activity.

The forest floor litter decomposition rate followed in the order: Tectona grandis (teak) > Madhuka indica (mahua) > Butea monosperma (palas). Higher decomposition rates were observed during rainy season and lowest during winter. The decay rate was significantly correlated with rainfall and soil moisture, and with population densities of earthworms. The lumbricid distribution under three plantations of semi-arid and sub-humid regions of central India in relation to several environmental factors including climate, soil moisture and litter quality was studied. Native species of earthworms and their densities were not abundant in this forest due to less moisture content in soil and accidental forest fires. Eight earthworms were identified and three of them were epigeic earthworms, viz., Eisenia fetida (Savigny), Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) and Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen), which were predominant throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]