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 Anderson, J. U. Articles by Rai, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Anderson, J. U. Articles by Rai, D. Agricola Articles by Anderson, J. U. Articles by Rai, D.

Humus Accumulation in a Forested Haploboroll in South-Central New Mexico¹

ABSTRACT

A field study of a 65-hectare area and a laboratory study of samples from two Boroll profiles and two Boralf profiles was conducted to determine why these extensive forested Borolls at high elevation have such an unusually high organic matter content. The study revealed that in these Rendzina-like Borolls, organic litter decomposes much more slowly than in an adjoining Boralf, as indicated by differences in organic matter contents. This difference in rate of microbial oxidation does not depend primarily on nutrients supplied to the microorganisms or on invasion by locally indigenous microflora. Slow decomposition of Boroll organic matter probably results from protection afforded by its mixture with mineral soil in the gut of terrestrial snails (Ashmunella rhyssa).

¹ Journal article 538, New Mexico State University, Agric. Exp. Sta., Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003.

² Professor of Soils, Department of Agronomy, New Mexico State Univ.; former Graduate Student, present Ph.D. candidate, Univ. of California, Davis; and Research Associate, New Mexico State Univ., respectively. Dr. Anderson was accidentally drowned on 27 July 1974.

Received for publication October 28, 1974. Accepted for publication April 8, 1975.