Influence of the carbon-nitrogen ratios of organic matter on rate of decomposition in the soil
1934
Hutchings, I.J. | Martin, T.L.
1. When alfalfa and sweet clover roots and tops and straw are added to soil that as the CO2 evolution decreases NO3 accumulation increases. 2. That the addition of NaNO3 to narrow the ratio stimulates CO2 evolution during the first few days. 3. That the addition of NaNO3 delays the maximum accumulation of NO3 for a time. 4. That where NaNO3 was added tbe alfalfa roots and straw treated soils showed greater NO3 accumulation, due either to increased nitrification or decreased NO3 assimilation. 5. That NO3 accumulation was depressed through the 30-day period for alfalfa and sweet clover tops and sweet clover roots when cellulose was used to widen the C-N ratio. 6. That NO3 accumulation in the soil treated with the sweet clover roots was depressed when NANO3 was used to narrow the C-N ratio. 7. That the use of NaNO3 to narrow the C-N ratio of straw tended to cause an accumulation of NO3. 8. That the narrowing of the C-N ratio to 10:1 and widening it to 80:1 by means of NaNO3 and cellulose, respectively, using alfalfa tops and roots, sweet clover tops and roots, and straw, influenced very little the relative rate at which these materials decomposed as measured by CO2 evolution. These facts indicate that the chemical composition of the material is a very important factor to be considered when discussing the rate at which organic matter decomposes.
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