Influence of litter removal in the content of phosphorus and potassium in Eastern Amazon

Resumo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of removing and seasonality of precipitation on litter deposition and content of nutrients P and K in a forest successional stage in the city of Castanhal-PA. Two systems were established: 1) removal: removal of soil and litter: 2) Control or witness, without the removal of litter. With this, 12 collectors of 1 m² were installed in each system for monthly quantification of the dry mass and obtain the contents of P and K. The total litter deposition was 6.65 and 6.24 Mg ha-1 yr-1 for control systems and removal respectively, did not differ from each other (p < 0.05). The removal of litter did not change the content of P and K, however, there was change over the months, with higher P values in the period of increased rainfall, with the K featuring reverse pattern. Therefore, litter production has performed seasonal during the year and the removal of litter caused no change in P and K content, and the rainfall was the climate variable that influenced the content of these elements.