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The influence of sward species composition on the rate of organic matter decomposition in grassland soil
Author(s) -
HOPKINS D. W.,
SHIEL R.S.,
O'DONNELL A.G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1988.tb01224.x
Subject(s) - grassland , organic matter , agronomy , mineralization (soil science) , soil water , soil organic matter , decomposition , soil respiration , chemistry , environmental science , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
SUMMARY To examine the influence of different plant materials on the rate of organic matter (OM) decomposition in soil, respiration and N mineralization/immobilization were measured during incubation of a test soil to which the plant materials were added. Amendments consisted of sward material either from grassland plots with different amounts of OM accumulation, or material from plants associated with soils having markedly different OM contents. Evolution of CO 2 from the test soil plus herbage from an experimental plot showing OM accumulation was greater than that from the same soil amended with herbage from plots without accumulation. Apparently, grass species had no significant effect on OM turnover; differences in accumulation in grassland soils must be related to other environmental factors. Decomposition of young Calluna vulgaris was, however, slower than that of young grass material and in this case species could affect organic matter accumulation.