Use of a modified litterbag technique for the study of litter mixtures

The applicability of a modified, easily constructed litterbag is evaluated in this study. In this litterbag, designed for use in decomposition studies involving litter mixtures, litter species are decomposed in separated by mesh compartments so that they can interact with adjacent species and at the same time can be retrieved “non-contaminated” by them until late decomposition stages. The validity of the technique was examined by comparing mass loss rates of two litter species (Ailanthus altissima and Medicago sativa) incubated in single and mixed new litterbags, with rates in conventional litterbags. The results, referring to the disappearance of up to 65% of the material at constant moisture and temperature conditions, were not significantly affected by the use of the modified litterbag. Although differences between expected and measured decomposition rates of the mixture of the two species were not statistically significant, mixing resulted in a modification of decomposition rates of the individual components compared with their respective rates in single species litterbags.