Chickpea Residue Properties Controlling Decomposition Dynamics and nitrogen Availability in Some Tropical Acid Soils
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Date
2013
Authors
Danga, B. O.
Hadas, A.
Wakindiki, I.
Ouma, J. P.
Bar-Tal, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis; NISC (Pty) Ltd
Abstract
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) grown in a rotation can contribute significant nitrogen (N) if its decomposition and nutrient-release dynamics are known and synchronised with the maximum demand by the succeeding crop. The aims of the study were to investigate the decomposition rates of two chickpea residues, mature (CHR) and green manure (GM), and use their properties to predict N dynamics in acid soils. The N dynamics were predicted by the NCSOIL model using neutral and acidic detergent fibres (NDF and ADF, respectively) measured by near-infrared
reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for defining residue pools. The GM released 50ā60% of total N in 84 d, whereas CHR immobilised N. Simulations based on the two residue pools indicated that NIRS predicted the carbon (C) and N dynamics reasonably well for both residues. The decay rate constants of the NDF ā soluble pool varied between 0.5 and 0.2 dā1. Adding an intermediate pool NDF ļ« ADF improved the prediction of C and N dynamics for CHR but not for GM. Therefore, successful prediction of N dynamics required the search of N partitioning among pools by NCSOIL, as long as no chemical analysis of N was suitable for this purpose.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
C and N mineralisation, Decomposition rate, NCSOIL model, Near-infrared spectroscopy, N immobilisation
Citation
South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 2013, 30(4): 203ā212