HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Allison, F. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Allison, F. E. Agricola Articles by Allison, F. E.

Does Nitrogen Applied to Crop Residues Produce More Humus?¹

ABSTRACT

The fate of carbon in carbonaceous crop residues decomposing under different levels of nitrogen is considered. Laboratory and greenhouse results show that although nitrogen additions offset the harmful effect of such residues on crop growth, and often accelerate decomposition, such added nitrogen does not appreciably increase the percentage of the crop residue carbon that remains in the soil as humus. Nitrogen added to cropped soils does tend to maintain soil organic matter at a higher level than in its absence, but this is due to the increased crop yields and resulting larger, crop residues available for humus formation.

¹ Contribution from the Soil and Water Conservation Research Branch, A.R.S., U.S.D.A., Beltsville, Md.

² Principal Soil Scientist.

Received for publication November 19, 1954.