Influence of chemical composition of organic matter on rate of decomposition
1933
Martin, T.L.
The results of this experiment agree with the findings of Waksman and others, except that the sweet clover cellulose does not break down nearly as readily as does the crude protein. The water-soluble materials in the roots and tops disappear rapidly and at about the same relative rates for organic maternal from the same source, but the disappearance is more rapid for alfalfa than for sweet clover. Alfalfa tops and roots seem to decompose more rapidly than do sweet clover tops and roots. The lignin content accumulates very rapidly, more so in roots than in tops. Due in all probability to a higher percentage of lignin in the roots and to its tendency to arrest decay of cellulose, tops decompose at a more rapid rate than do the roots. Because of the slow decomposition of proteins and the rapid accumulation of lignin, there is the suggestion that the remainder will consist largely of these two substances. However, in the sweet clover tops and roots cellulose probably too will be a part of the residue.
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