Quantification of litter deposition and organic mantle accumulation are important steps on nutrient cycling studies. This study aimed to quantify litter deposition and organic mantle in a sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth) woodlot in an experimental farm in the Brazilian northeast region. Twenty 0.50 x 0.50 x 0.15 m wood collectors, to quantify litter deposition, were systematically distributed over the area elevated 30 cm above the soil. Deposited material was collected monthly from October 2000 to September 2001, and separated into leaves, twigs, flowers, pods and mixed portions. Undecomposed organic mantle was randomly sampled nearby collector boxes, to a total of 20 monthly samples, from which a 0.30 x 0.30 m composed sample was collected. The collected material was also hand separated into leaves, twigs, flowers, pods and mixed portions. All collected material was dried at 60°C until constant weight was achieved. Highest monthly litter deposition and leaf and pod fractions occurred in October, probably due to initiation of dry period. Litter deposition and stock were estimated at 7830.44 kg.ha-1.year-1 and 8906.9 kg.ha-1, respectively, with the leaf fraction dominating. Leaf fraction was the richest in nutrient content.
Carbon cycle; decomposition; legume tree; nutrient cycling; tropical
