Changes in Organic Matter of an Oxisol with the Addition of Soybean and Corn Residues, Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Abstract

ABSTRACTPlants with different photosynthetic cycles (C3 and C4) and different plant parts (root or shoot) contribute in different ways to soil organic carbon (SOC). In addition, phosphate and nitrogen fertilization also act differently on the SOC stock. In this study, roots or shoots of corn (C3) and soybean (C4) plants were incorporated into samples of an Oxisol, with or without the addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and had the emission of carbon (C)- carbon dioxide (CO2) measured during 45 days. Subsequently, soil organic matter fractionation, carbon and nitrogen microbial biomass and 13C isotopic discrimination were performed. The greatest increment in SOC was observed by adding corn plant material rather than soybean material. For both crops, the greatest contribution to SOC was achieved by adding roots as compared to shoots. Phosphorus addition produced greater microbial activity, followed by the addition of NP and then the addition of only N.