Abstract
ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to adapt the partial chemical digestion method for estimation of labile soil organic matter pools by evaluating the effect of different digestion times in Mollisols of the Argentine Pampas. The soils were sampled from nine agricultural fields under no-tillage at the 0–20 cm depth. A chemical method was performed through partial soil digestion with dilute sulphuric acid at 100°C on the basis of four digestion times: 1 (Nd1), 2 (Nd2), 4 (Nd4) and 6 (Nd6) hours. Soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions were determined. The extracted organic N (Nd) ranged from 0.076 g kg−1 to 0.273 g kg−1, with a mean of 0.154 g kg−1. Statistically, the means for each digestion time indicated highly significant differences (P = 0.008). High correlations were found between Nd for different times and labile C and N fractions. However, the best fit prediction was observed between Nd2 and soil total carbohydrates (CHt), with a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.94). Partial chemical digestion for 2 h can be used as a rapid indicator to accurately predict CHt. Because of its speed and simplicity, this method may also be useful for rapid soil quality assessments.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
