Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on deciduous litter decomposition

Journal Article · Tue Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1978 · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200060030x· OSTI ID:5775606

Kelly, J M ^[1]; Henderson, G S

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1. Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL

Urea and concentrated superphosphate were applied to plots in a deciduous forest to examine their effects on decomposition of white oak leaves (Quercus alba L.) in litter bags and the associated populations of decomposer organisms. Urea applications decreased soil invertebrate populations by about 30% and caused a three- to four-fold increase in bacterial populations while increasing decomposition rates by 1 and 3% at the 550 and 1100 kg/ha N levels, respectively. Superphosphate additions caused bacterial populations to decrease by 30% at the highest addition rate and decreased decomposition by 4 and 6% at the 275 and 550 kg/ha P rates, respectively. Soil acidity changes following fertilizer additions appear to be primarily responsible for observed results although longer-term changes in decomposition may be associated with changes in the nutrient status of the forest floor.

• OSTI ID: 5775606
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States) Vol. 42:6; ISSN SSSJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510100* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AMIDES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CARBONIC ACID DERIVATIVES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FERTILIZERS
FOREST LITTER
FORESTS
HUMUS
LEAVES
NUTRIENTS
OAKS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SOILS
SUPERPHOSPHATES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
TREES
UREA