Decomposition and nutrient release pattern of wheat (Triticum aestivum) residues under different treatments in desert field conditions of Sudan

Abstract

Background Recycling of crop residues is essential to sustain soil fertility and crop production. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to study the decomposition of crop residues particularly in the arid tropics. The decomposition and nutrient release pattern from crop residues incorporated in the soil have rarely been investigated under semiarid climatic conditions in Sudan. Decomposition and nutrient release pattern from wheat residue were investigated in a 12 week litter bag experiment under field condition. Litter bags contain 50 g wheat residue were buried in plots cultivated with guar and treated with following treatments: crop residue (CR), recommended fertilizer ? crop residue (RF ? CR), sewage sludge (SS) and non treated control (C). In each plot of each block, 12 litter bags were buried. Four bags from each treatment were retrieved at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of decomposition. The decomposed residue was analysed for remaining dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents. Mass loss and nutrients released from wheat residue followed the exponential model, W t = W 0 9 e -kt from which the specific decay rate constants (k) and t 0.5 and t 0.95 were calculated. Results The result show that the mineral fertilization combined with crop residues (RF ? CR) resulted in the maximum decomposition and nutrient release compared to the other treatments. The half-life (t 0.5 ) values of the treatments were in the following order: RF ? CR (6.70 weeks) \ SS (8.0 weeks) \ CR (9.60 weeks) \ C (11.91 weeks). The percentage remaining DM in the litter bags followed the order C (73.25 %) [ CR (66.45 %) [ SS (59.85 %) [ RF ? CR (53.85 %). A 50 % loss of residue N was found after 8.88 weeks in the C treatment and 5.04 weeks in RF ? CR treatment. Generally, nutrient loss from all treatments in the order ofConclusions Application of mineral fertilizer or sewage sludge enhances the decomposition of low-quality residue (wheat). Therefore, it is essential to apply fertilizer in degraded soil before incorporation of crop residue with high carbon to nitrogen ratio.

Turnover of Minerals and Organics in the Postharvest Herbage of Annuals and Perennials: Winter Wheat and Goldenrod

“…In dependence on precipitation, temperature, soil type, aeration, N availability, and even on the retarding presence of cover plants [88,89], wheat residues lost 27%-49% DW within 2.5-3 months [80,90,91] in accordance with the current results. Gao et al [92] recorded losses of 36.6% and 53.7% over 4 and 12 months, respectively, in wheat straw, with the decay rate decreasing slowly to 12 months upon the enrichment of lignin [93].…”

Effect of the Applied Fertilization Method under Full Straw Return on the Growth of Mechanically Transplanted Rice

“…Straw decomposition is beneficial for nutrient absorption by crops and facilitates crop growth in the long term [20]. Previous studies have shown that the application of nitrogen fertilizer in high C/N straw nutrient release and promote crop growth [21]. In this study, the straw decomposition rate after non-fertilization treatment was lower than that after fertilization treatments for all periods tested.…”

Effects of organic amendments on sand dune fixation

“…The increase in Ca and Mg in plots treated with organic amendments may be due to the release of organic forms of these elements in the organic residue (Ogbodo 2009). The contents of Ca and Mg in decomposing organic amendments have been reported to released (Rezig et al 2014;Mubarak et al 2008) or completely immobilized (Lupwayi and Haque 1999).…”

“…The results showed an increased total N content in plots treated with chicken manure, sewage sludge, and combined application of sawdust and inorganic fertilizer. Organic waste with high C/N ratio such as, sawdust, wheat, rice, barley, and maize may require addition of inorganic N for decomposition to proceed (Rezig et al 2014;Debnath and Sinha 1993). Improved decomposition rates of organic amendments due to addition of inorganic N and low C/N ratio organic amendments have been reported by several workers (Rezig et al 2014(Rezig et al , 2013Debnath and Sinha 1993).…”

“…Organic waste with high C/N ratio such as, sawdust, wheat, rice, barley, and maize may require addition of inorganic N for decomposition to proceed (Rezig et al 2014;Debnath and Sinha 1993). Improved decomposition rates of organic amendments due to addition of inorganic N and low C/N ratio organic amendments have been reported by several workers (Rezig et al 2014(Rezig et al , 2013Debnath and Sinha 1993). The increase in Ca and Mg in plots treated with organic amendments may be due to the release of organic forms of these elements in the organic residue (Ogbodo 2009).…”