Mulching effect of plant residues of chemically contrasting compositions on soil organic matter content and cation exchange capacity
1997
Tian, Gang | Brussaard, L.
Effects of five types of plant residues [Acioa, presently Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena lecocephala prunings, maize (Zea mays) stover and rice (Oryza sativa) straw] applied as mulch on soil organic matter (SOM) content and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) were studied on an Alfisol in the humid tropics. Plant residue mulch resulted in a decline in SOM and ECEC during two years of cropping following six years of grass fallow. Rice straw mulch resulted in less and maize stover mulch in a greater decrease of SOM and ECEC than the other mulches. Decrease in SOM and ECEC is attributed to the mulching effect on the soil micro-climate which enhanced the decomposition of SOM accumulated during the grass fallow prior to the initiation of the experiment. In order to maintain SOM for a tropical soil, plant residues with high lignin, polyphenols, and silica will have to be among residue species when applied in continuous cropping systems.
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