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 Parr, J. F. Articles by Reuszer, H. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Parr, J. F. Articles by Reuszer, H. W. Agricola Articles by Parr, J. F. Articles by Reuszer, H. W.

Organic Matter Decomposition as Influenced by Oxygen Level and Flow Rate of Gases in the Constant Aeration Method¹

ABSTRACT

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the rate of decomposition of wheat straw added to soil when continuous aeration was conducted with N₂-O₂ gas mixtures containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 21% oxygen at flow rates of , , , 1, and 2 liters per hour. Rates of decomposition and total decomposition were followed by determination of wheat straw carbon evolved as CO₂.

Total decomposition at all oxygen levels varied directly with aeration flow rate, except for the 0% level where an inverse relationship was observed.

Microbial activity at the 21% oxygen level was greatly stimulated as flow rate increased from through 2 liters per hour.

A rapid increase in microbial activity occurred for the 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0% oxygen levels as flow rate increased from through liters per hour, however, little increase in CO₂ production was observed at higher flow rates.

¹ Journal Paper No. 1864 Purdue University Agr. Exp. Sta., Lafayette, Ind. Contribution from the Dept. of Agronomy. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Ph.D. degree.

² Research Associate, Plant Nutrition Laboratory, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, formerly Instructor, Purdue University Agr. Exp. Sta.; and Associate Microbiologist, respectively.

Received for publication January 9, 1962. Accepted for publication March 29, 1962.