This study aimed to evaluate the deposition of litter, during one year period, in forest restoration plantation, deployed at different spacings. The planting took place in November 2004, at the Thermoelectric Plant 'Barbosa Lima Sobrinho', in Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state. In December 2007, nine circular collectors were installed, tied to trees with nylon, in the four studied spacings: 1 x 1 m; 1.5 x 1.5 m; 2 x 2 m; and 3 x 2 m. The collections were done monthly, until December 2008. The material was taken to the laboratory, separated into leaves, branches, reproductive and miscellaneous and after being dried in stove at 65 °C for 48 hours, it was weighed. The values found for the total deposition of litter were, from the more to the less dense spacing: 6.93; 4.48; 5.12; and 3.71 Mg ha-1. The spacing which produced a greater quantity of litter was the 1 x 1 m. The litter deposition was higher in the dry season. The seasonal pattern was similar in the different spacings. The leaf fraction was predominant in all the spacings. The litter deposition, in general, was positively correlated with canopy cover index and was not correlated with the basal area of the stand. The obtained values of the litter production in this study can be considered similar to those found in secondary forest near the study area.
litter; planting density; reforestation; deposition
