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A study of the Compositton and Utilisation of Alberta Peats
Author(s) -
NEWTON J. D.
Publication year - 1934
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1934.tb06903.x
Subject(s) - cellulose , lignin , decomposition , phosphorus , nitrogen , peat , wood ash , agronomy , zoology , botany , biology , chemistry , organic chemistry , ecology
Summary. 1. The three elements commonly applied in the form of mineral fertilisers in farm practice did not produce rapid decomposition of filter paper cellulose in incubated cultures, whereas the addition of all “essential” elements produced rapid decomposition. 2. Fungi appeared to be more important than bacteria in the decomposition of the filter paper cellulose. 3. The numbers of ammonifying bacteria in cellulose fermentation cultures increased with each additional “essential” element or group of “essential” elements. 4. Different horizons or layers of the Alberta peats studied differ greatly in colour or stage of decomposition and in reaction or p H value. 5. The surface samples of peat usually contain less ash than the deeper samples. 6. The nitrogen content of the different samples varies rather widely, and the subsurface layer usually contains about twice as much nitrogen as the surface layer. 7. The total phosphorus content of the different samples does not vary as much as the nitrogen content. 8. The calcium oxide percentages and the p H values indicate that the Carnwood and Spruce Grove peats require liming and that the Winter burn and Stonyplain peats do not require liming for satisfactory crop production. 9. The cellulose content of the peats varies from none to about 47 per cent. of ash‐free cellulose, and the lignin from about 20 to 49 per cent. A decrease in cellulose content is usually accompanied by an increase in lignin. 10. Cellulose, lignin, and ash together nearly always make up about two‐thirds or more of the weight of the peat. Nitrogeneous organic matter would account for about 3–16 per cent., and petroleum‐ether‐soluble material for only 1 per cent. or less of the total peat. 11. Growth of oat seedlings and bacterial plate counts indicated that the fertility of Carnwood surface peat was not greatly increased or affected by the addition (about three to four months earlier) of ordinary applications of fertiliser salts. 12. At the end of an incubation period of 50 days appreciable losses of cellulose had occurred in the Carnwood peat cultures to which an abundant supply of fertiliser salts had been added; and bacterial numbers were increased by the addition of fertiliser salts. In the case of the Winterburn peat the losses of cellulose, if any, were within the experimental error of the determination. 13. After nineteen days' incubation at a relatively high temperature (55°C.) all of the cultures of Spruce Grove peat showed loss of cellulose, the largest loss occurring in the culture to which lime was given in addition to an abundant supply of the other nutrient salts.