Author
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Martens, Dean |
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Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Cycling of plant carbon and nutrient release are several of the most important soil functions. Agronomists have noted soil properties are improved by growth or soil incorporation of certain plant species. This study documents that the improvement noted with addition of different plant species is due to the different biochemical profiles that are released during microbial decomposition. Residue decomposition studies with oat, clover, canola, soybean, corn, prairie and alfalfa showed that residues with a lower phenolic acid content were mineralized at a faster rate, resulted in a lower soil C content and were less effective for increased soil aggregation after incubation in Webster soil for 84 d (20 degrees Celsius). The studies showed that residues containing phenolic acids such as p-hydroxycinnamic acid and ferulic acid were more effective for decreasing C mineralization and increasing aggregation than were benzoic acid derivatives. Additional studies found that soybean cultivars differ greatly in the composition (benzoic vs. cinnamic acids) and the quantity of phenolic acids. Growth of soybean cultivars higher in certain phenolic acids may help improve soil structure in a corn-soybean rotation. |
