Carbon decomposition kinetics and nitrogen mineralization from corn, soybean, and wheat residues

Abstract

An incubation study was conducted for 30 days in Taloka (fine, mixed, thermic mollic Albaqualf) and Leadvale (fine, silty, siliceous, thermic typic Fragiudult) silt loam soils to evaluate carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], corn (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residues. Corn and soybean residues were collected at the tasseling and late vegetative stages, respectively. Wheat straw was collected after harvest. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution and inorganic N accumulation were measured. Carbon mineralization was described by a sequential decomposition model with a rapid and slow phase, each described by first‐order kinetics. Rapid and slow fraction rate constants and percent rapid were determined. Decomposition ranged from 39% for wheat to 67% for soybean. Carbon dioxide evolution peaked on the third day, and 30 to 50% of residue C was decomposed during the first six days of incubation. Decomposition and N mineralization were higher in the Taloka compared to the Leadvale soil, and generally followed the sequence soybean > corn > wheat residues as did percent rapid fraction, and rapid and slow fraction rate constants. Rapid fraction rate constants ranged from 0.039±0.005 to 0.115±0.005 per day. Slow fraction rate constants ranged from 0.013±0.002 to 0.030±0.002 per day. Percent rapid fraction ranged from 13±2% to 38±2%. The half‐lives of the slow fraction ranged from 23.4±3.5 to 51.8±3.5 days. Nitrogen mineralization, as estimated by ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃) formation occurred only with the soybean residue, whereas the corn and wheat residues were characterized by N immobilization throughout the study.