Journal article
Carbon and nitrogen mineralisation after maize harvest between and within maize rows: a microcosm study using 13C natural abundance
Publication Details
Authors: | Ludwig, B. |
Publication year: | 2004 |
Journal: | Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science |
Pages range : | 270-276 |
Journal acronym: | J Plant Nutr Soil Sc |
Volume number: | 167 |
ISSN: | 1436-8730 |
Abstract
The sequestration of carbon in soil is not completely understood, and quantitative information about the rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover could improve understanding. We analyzed the effects of the uneven distribution of crop residues after harvest of silage maize on C and N losses (CO2-C, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), and NO3-) from a Haplic Phaeozem and on the occurrence of priming effects induced by the decomposition of accumulated maize residues. Soil columns were taken from a continuous maize (since 1961) field after harvest i) between maize stalk rows M-bare) ii) within the maize rows including a standing maize stalk (M-stalk), and iii) from a continuous rye (since 1878) field after tillage (rye stalk and roots were mixed into the Ap horizon). The soil columns were incubated for 230 days at 8 degreesC with an irrigation rate of 2mm 10(-2) M CaCl2 per day. Natural C-13 abundance was used to distinguish between maize-derived C (in SOC and maize residues) and older C originating from former C-3 vegetation.
The sequestration of carbon in soil is not completely understood, and quantitative information about the rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover could improve understanding. We analyzed the effects of the uneven distribution of crop residues after harvest of silage maize on C and N losses (CO2-C, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), and NO3-) from a Haplic Phaeozem and on the occurrence of priming effects induced by the decomposition of accumulated maize residues. Soil columns were taken from a continuous maize (since 1961) field after harvest i) between maize stalk rows M-bare) ii) within the maize rows including a standing maize stalk (M-stalk), and iii) from a continuous rye (since 1878) field after tillage (rye stalk and roots were mixed into the Ap horizon). The soil columns were incubated for 230 days at 8 degreesC with an irrigation rate of 2mm 10(-2) M CaCl2 per day. Natural C-13 abundance was used to distinguish between maize-derived C (in SOC and maize residues) and older C originating from former C-3 vegetation.