102121 Does Stimulating Decomposers with Sodium and/or Carbon Increase Efficiency of Agricultural Phosphorus Cycling?.
Poster Number 177-419
See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Biology and Biochemistry
See more from this Session: Soil Biology and Biochemistry Poster I (includes student competition)
Abstract:
We are working to find ways to increase the P cycling rates, thereby decreasing the amount of P fertilizer required. Specifically, we are testing the hypothesis that stimulating decomposers (such as bacteria and invertebrates) with a high carbon (C) substrate and/or sodium (Na) may increase the proportion of soil P available to plants. We predicted that small Na additions will increase invertebrate decomposer activity, and that additions of corn litter will increase microbial activity and P release from soil particles. To test these predictions, we set up 12 sets of plots in each of four conventionally-managed corn fields in northwestern Ohio to which we either added corn litter, a dilute sodium chloride solution, a combination of both, or neither. We then measured soil P, N and C concentrations, soil microbial enzyme activities, microbial respiration, and decomposer arthropod biomass.
See more from this Division: SSSA Division: Soil Biology and Biochemistry
See more from this Session: Soil Biology and Biochemistry Poster I (includes student competition)