Nutrient dynamic of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L) Karst) litter mixed with litter of Beech (Fagus orientalis lipsky), Alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Meyer) and Maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.) in pure Norway spruce plantation of Lajim site

Plant litter decomposition plays an important role in forest soil fertility due to nutrient cycling and soil organic matter formation. Litter decomposition, results in return of leaves nutrient to soil and supply of necessary elements for plant growth. In fact, nutrient availability is highly related to litter nutrient dynamic in soil. In this study the nutrient dynamic of Norway spruce litter was investigated in both pure and mixed condition to determine whether its nutrient dynamic is affected by its composition with broad-leaved litters or not. For this reason, Norway spruce litters were treated for 400 days at pure and mixed conditions with Beech (Fagus orientalis lipsky), Alder (Alnus subcordata C.A.Meyer) and Maple (Acer velutinum Boiss.) litters in pure Norway spruce plantation at Lajim site, using litter bag method. The results showed that the non-additive effect of litter composition on dynamic of lignin and manganese was neutral, but on dynamic of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium was positive, whereas on dynamic of calcium was negative. The finding of this study showed that litter mineralization rate of nitrogen in the three treatments of litter composition was higher than the its rate in the pure Norway spruce litter, whereas the mineralization rate of manganese was negative at the end of the study time in all the combinations, except for Norway spruce mixed with beech.