Wheat straw decomposition in subtropical Australia .II. Effect of straw placement on decomposition and recovery of added 15N urea

Soil Research ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Cogle ◽  
WM Strong ◽  
PG Saffigna ◽  
JN Ladd ◽  
M Amato
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Organisms ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Straw Management ◽  
Biological Denitrification ◽  
15N Urea ◽  
Subtropical Australia ◽  
Subtropical Environment

Decomposition of 14C-labelled wheat straw and its effect on fertilizer 15N transformations was studied in a subtropical environment over a 2 year period. The effect of straw management was also studied. Wheat straw incorporated in topsoil initially decomposed at a faster rate than wheat straw placed on the soil surface. This was due to the greater positional availability of straw carbon to soil organisms in incorporated straw. Later decomposition rates were similar. After 1.5 months, 44% of applied 15N-urea was recovered from incorporated straw treatments and 55% from surface-retained straw treatments. Losses were attributed to biological denitrification. The greater loss in incorporated straw treatments was suggested to be due to a greater availability of carbon to the denitrifying population compared with treatments where straw was retained on the surface. After 2 years, the recovery of 15N decreased to between 12 and 15% of that applied.

scholarly journals Winter Wheat Straw Decomposition under Different Nitrogen Fertilizers

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Gabriela Mühlbachová ◽  
Pavel Růžek ◽  
Helena Kusá ◽  
Radek Vavera ◽  
Martin Káš
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Rainy Weather ◽  
N Fertilisers

The climate changes and increased drought frequency still more frequent in recent periods bring challenges to management with wheat straw remaining in the field after harvest and to its decomposition. The field experiment carried out in 2017–2019 in the Czech Republic aimed to evaluate winter wheat straw decomposition under different organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizing (urea, pig slurry and digestate with and without inhibitors of nitrification (IN)). Treatment Straw 1 with fertilizers was incorporated in soil each year the first day of experiment. The Straw 2 was placed on soil surface at the same day as Straw 1 and incorporated together with fertilizers after 3 weeks. The Straw 1 decomposition in N treatments varied between 25.8–40.1% and in controls between 21.5–33.1% in 2017–2019. The Straw 2 decomposition varied between 26.3–51.3% in N treatments and in controls between 22.4–40.6%. Higher straw decomposition in 2019 was related to more rainy weather. The drought observed mainly in 2018 led to the decrease of straw decomposition and to the highest contents of residual mineral nitrogen in soils. The limited efficiency of N fertilisers on straw decomposition under drought showed a necessity of revision of current strategy of N treatments and reduction of N doses adequately according the actual weather conditions.

Decomposition rate of cereal straw as affected by soil placement

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Curtin ◽  
G. S. Francis ◽  
F. M. McCallum
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
Litter Bag ◽  
Residue Contact ◽  
Co2 Output ◽  
Soil Residue

Decomposition rates for crop residues have generally been estimated based on data obtained using buried litter bags. Because of limited soil–residue contact, the litter bag technique may not adequately simulate decomposition when residues are mixed through the soil. In field microplots, decomposition of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) straw (autumn-incorporated at a rate of 7 t/ha) mixed through the 0–0.20 m soil layer was compared with straw decomposition in fibreglass bags (4-mm mesh) buried at a depth of 0.20 m. A surface-placed straw treatment and a no-straw control were included for comparison. Emissions of CO2 were monitored from the incorporated straw treatments and undecomposed straw was recovered after 158 days (mean soil temperature during the trial period was 8°C at 0.10 m). Emissions of CO2 from the soil‐mixed straw treatment were generally greater than from the buried bag treatment in the 2 months following incorporation. Output of CO2-C over the first 73 days averaged 83 g/m2 for the soil-mixed straw treatment compared with 61 g/m2 for the litter bag treatment and 34 g/m2 for the no-straw control. Over the entire trial, CO2-C attributable to straw (CO2-C output from straw-treated plots minus CO2-C emitted from the control) was 66% greater for soil‐mixed straw than for litter bag straw, indicating that within soil placement can have a strong and persistent effect on straw decomposition. Straw type had a small but significant (P < 0.05) effect on CO2 output (barley > wheat). Straw mass loss during the trial averaged 66% for soil-mixed straw, 32% for litter bag straw, and 13% for straw placed on the soil surface. The low recovery of soil‐mixed straw is partly due to difficulty of extracting small (<2 mm) residue fragments from the soil; however, such fragments could legitimately be considered part of the soil organic matter. The results confirm that straw that is well distributed through the soil may decompose more rapidly than would be anticipated from litter bag measurements.

Wheat straw decomposition in subtropical Australia .I. A comparison of 14C labeling and two weight loss methods for measuring decomposition

Soil Research ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Cogle ◽  
PG Saffigna ◽  
WM Strong ◽  
JN Ladd ◽  
M Amato
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Percent Recovery ◽  
14C Labelling ◽  
Mesh Bags ◽  
Mesh Bag ◽  
14C Labeling ◽  
Subtropical Australia

Three techniques for measuring straw decomposition in the field were compared. They were 14C labelling, weight loss from unconfined straw, and weight loss from straw held in mesh bags. The effect of these techniques on nitrogen transformations was also considered. The percent recovery by weight of straw held in mesh bags was greater than that which had been left unconfined in microplots, and also was greater than the percent recovery of 14C from 14C-labelled straw. This suggested that the mesh bag technique gave an underestimate of decomposition. Unconfined straw in microplots provided results in general agreement with 14C recoveries. Straw decomposition under the conditions of the different treatments had little effect on nitrogen transformations.

Nitrogenase activity (C2H2 reduction) in soils following wheat straw retention: effects of straw management

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
MM Roper ◽  
GW Marschke ◽  
NA Smith
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Straw Management ◽  
C2h2 Reduction

The effects of stubble management practices on straw decomposition (C02 production) and nitrogenase activity C2H2 reduction) were examined in situ on a black earth (pH 7.4, clay content 51%)) near Gunnedah in the wheat-belt of New South Walcs. Straw treatments were: (1) mulching (bladeploughed) or surface cultivation (scarification), (2) burning and cultivation, (3) no-tillage, and (4) incorporation (disc-ploughed). In 1979, the straw was mulched on the surface in treatment 1. When moisture was applied, preliminary measurements (1 980) showed that nitrogenase activity was highest in the incorporated treatment with less in the surface mulched and no-tillage treatments respectively. There was only a small amount of activity in the burnt treatment due to some straw remaining. In a longer-term study in 1985 and 1986 straw in treatment 1 was lightly mixed near the soil surface by scarification. Following moisture application, nitrogenase activity was significantly higher in the scarified treatment than in the incorporated treatment, indicating that depth of mixing of straw with soil was important. Nitrogenase activity in the no-tillage treatment was similar to that in the incorporated treatment, and there was substantially less activity in the burnt treatment. Production of CO2 was similar in the straw-retained treatments, but significantly lower in the burnt treatment. In a series of short-term assays throughout 1985, microbial activity from January to May 1985 decreased with falling soil temperature. With the increase in temperature from July to November 1985, there was no corresponding increase in activity. Despite changes in microbial activity throughout the year, there was little change in the numbers of N2-fixing bacteria in the 14-month period from February 1985 to March 1986, indicating stability in the potential for N2 fixation. Although surface-cultivation (scarification) of straw is apparently the most favourable for free-living N2 fixation, other factors such as erosion and disease control need to be considered in deciding which straw management practice is to be adopted.

scholarly journals Effect of Digestate and Straw Combined Application on Maintaining Rice Production and Paddy Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5714
Author(s):  
Xue Hu ◽  
Hongyi Liu ◽  
Chengyu Xu ◽  
Xiaomin Huang ◽  
Min Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Paddy Soil ◽  
Rice Yield ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Rice Grains ◽  
Combined Application

Few studies have focused on the combined application of digestate and straw and its feasibility in rice production. Therefore, we conducted a two-year field experiment, including six treatments: without nutrients and straw (Control), digestate (D), digestate + fertilizer (DF), digestate + straw (DS), digestate + fertilizer + straw (DFS) and conventional fertilizer + straw (CS), to clarify the responses of rice growth and paddy soil nutrients to different straw and fertilizer combinations. Our results showed that digestate and straw combined application (i.e., treatment DFS) increased rice yield by 2.71 t ha−1 compared with the Control, and digestate combined with straw addition could distribute more nitrogen (N) to rice grains. Our results also showed that the straw decomposition rate at 0 cm depth under DS was 5% to 102% higher than that under CS. Activities of catalase, urease, sucrase and phosphatase at maturity under DS were all higher than that under both Control and CS. In addition, soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN) under DS and DFS were 20~26% and 11~12% higher than that under B and DF respectively, suggesting straw addition could benefit paddy soil quality. Moreover, coupling straw and digestate would contribute to decrease the N content in soil surface water. Overall, our results demonstrated that digestate and straw combined application could maintain rice production and have potential positive paddy environmental effects.

scholarly journals ORGANIC CARBON DYNAMICS IN GRASSLAND SOILS. 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SIMULATION

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. VAN VEEN ◽  
E. A. PAUL
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Soil Biomass ◽  
The World

The decomposition rates of 14C-labelled plant residues in different parts of the world were characterized and mathematically simulated. The easily decomposable materials, cellulose and hemicellulose, were described as being decomposed directly by the soil biomass; the lignin fraction of aboveground residues and the resistant portion of the roots entered a decomposable native soil organic matter. Here it could be decomposed by the soil biomass or react with other soil constituents in the formation of more recalcitrant soil organic matter. The transformation rates were considered to be independent of biomass size (first–order). Data from 14C plant residue incorporation studies which yielded net decomposition rates of added materials and from carbon dating of the recalcitrant soil organic matter were transformed to gross decomposition rate constants for three soil depths. The model adequately described soil organic matter transformations under native grassland and the effect of cultivation on organic matter levels. Correction for microbial growth and moisture and temperature variations showed that the rate of wheat straw decomposition, based on a full year in the field in southern Saskatchewan, was 0.05 that under optimal laboratory conditions. The relative decay rates for plant residues during the summer months of the North American Great Plains was 0.1 times that of the laboratory. Comparison with data from other parts of the world showed an annual relative rate of 0.12 for straw decomposition in England, whereas gross decomposition rates in Nigeria were 0.5 those of laboratory rates. Both the decomposable and recalcitrant organic matter were found to be affected by the extent of physical protection within the soil. The extent of protection was simulated and compared to data from experimental studies on the persistence of 14C-labelled amino acids in soil. The extent of protection influenced the steady-state levels of soil carbon upon cultivation more than did the original decomposition rates of the plant residues.

Sugar cane straw left in the field during harvest: decomposition dynamics and composition changes

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 758 ◽  
Author(s):  
José G. de A. Sousa ◽  
Maurício R. Cherubin ◽  
Carlos E. P. Cerri ◽  
Carlos C. Cerri ◽  
Brigitte J. Feigl
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
N Losses ◽  
No Removal ◽  
Bioenergy Production ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decomposition Dynamics ◽  
Straw Incorporation

The understanding of sugar cane straw decomposition dynamics is essential for defining a sustainable rate of straw removal for bioenergy production without jeopardising soil functioning and other ecosystem services. Thus, we conducted a field study in south-east Brazil over 360 days to evaluate sugar cane straw decomposition and changes in its composition as affected by increasing initial straw amounts and management practices. The sugar cane straw amounts tested were: (1) 3.5 Mg ha–1 (i.e. 75% removal); (2) 7.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. 50% removal); (3) 14.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. no removal); and (4) 21.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. no removal plus 50% of the extra straw left on the field). In addition, two management practices were studied for the reference straw amount (14 Mg ha–1), namely straw incorporation into the soil and irrigation with vinasse. The findings showed that dry mass (DM) loss increased logarithmically as a function of the initial amount left on the soil surface. An exponential curve efficiently described straw DM and C losses, in which more readily decomposable compounds are preferably consumed, leaving compounds that are more recalcitrant in the late stages of decomposition. After 1 year of decomposition, net straw C and N losses reached approximately 70% and 23% respectively for the highest initial straw amounts. Straw incorporation in the soil significantly accelerated the decomposition process (i.e. 86% DM loss after 1 year) compared with maintenance of straw on the soil surface (65% DM loss after 1 year), whereas irrigation with vinasse had little effect on decomposition (60% DM loss after 1 year). We conclude that straw decomposition data are an essential starting point for a better understanding of the environmental effects caused by straw removal and other management practices in sugar cane fields. This information can be used in models and integrated assessments towards a more sustainable sugar cane straw management for bioenergy production.

Wheat Straw Decomposition Patterns and Control Factors Under Nitrogen Fertilization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Liu ◽  
Yangquanwei Zhong ◽  
Xiaoyu Jia ◽  
Weiming Yan ◽  
Jia Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
And Control
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