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Soil Organic Matter & Microbial Decomposition of Organic Residues in Soils

1. The document reports on a soil science lab experiment measuring organic matter content and microbial decomposition in three soils (Soil A, B, C). Soil A had the highest organic matter at 1.93%, while Soil B was 0.69% and Soil C was 3.21%. 2. The experiment also measured carbon dioxide evolved from microbial respiration in soils with different C:N ratios added as organic materials. The narrow C:N ratio of Gliricidia sepium released more CO2 (213.4 mg) than the wide C:N ratio of rice straw (145.2 mg). 3. Even the unamended control soil produced some CO2 (

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Carisse Jade Angulo
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481 views

Soil Organic Matter & Microbial Decomposition of Organic Residues in Soils

1. The document reports on a soil science lab experiment measuring organic matter content and microbial decomposition in three soils (Soil A, B, C). Soil A had the highest organic matter at 1.93%, while Soil B was 0.69% and Soil C was 3.21%. 2. The experiment also measured carbon dioxide evolved from microbial respiration in soils with different C:N ratios added as organic materials. The narrow C:N ratio of Gliricidia sepium released more CO2 (213.4 mg) than the wide C:N ratio of rice straw (145.2 mg). 3. Even the unamended control soil produced some CO2 (

Uploaded by

Carisse Jade Angulo
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE

College of Agriculture and Food Sciences


Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte 6521 – A, Philippines

Name: Carisse Jade E. Angulo Date Conducted: March 22, 2019


Lab. Section: Friday 7:00 – 10:00 Date Submitted: April 17, 2019
Lab. Instructor: Medardo C. Magdadaro Rating:

EXERCISE NO. 6

SOIL ORGANIC MATTER


& MICROBIAL
DECOMPOSITION OF
ORGANIC RESIDUES IN
SOILS
A. Determination of organic matter by ignition

SOIL A SOIL B SOIL C

a. Initial weight (g) 4.3642 4.2541 4.2528

b. Final weight (g) 4.2344 4.1989 4.0533

c. Loss in weight (g) 0.1298 0.0552 0.1995

d. Loss on ignition (%LOI) 3.07% 1.31% 4.92%

e. Organic matter (%) 1.93% 0.69% 3.21%

Soil organic matter is considered to be the most important soil component. It influences soil
structure, water-holding capacity, soil stability, nutrient storage and turnover, and oxygen-
holding capacity, properties that are important in maintaining and improving soil quality. If a
decline in organic matter content is experienced, chances of soil erosion increase. Organic matter
is particularly important as the prime habitat for immense numbers and variety of soil fauna and
microflora, which play a critical role in the health and productivity of soils. It is highly
susceptible to changes in land use and management and to changes in soil temperature and
moisture. In the data above, the higher the organic matter is present in your soil results to a
higher productivity. Burning of the soil releases carbon dioxide and water which will then help
farmers determine the soil organic matter in order for them to have knowledge on what essential
nutrients must be applied to their field for a more productive and higher yield.

B. Microbial respiration determination

Part I. Measurement of CO2 Evolved

TREATMENT

CONTROL NARROW WIDE C:N


C:N

a. Normality of NaOH used 1N 1N 1N

b. Volume of NaOH, mL 15mL 15mL 15mL

c. Original milliequivalents of NaOH, a x b 15me 15me 15me

d. Normality of HCl used 1N 1N 1N

e. Volume of HCL, mL 12.3mL 5.3mL 8.4mL


f. Milliequivalents of NaOH, after incubation, d x e 12.3 me 5.3 me 8.4 me

g. Milliequivalents of CO2 evolved, c – f 2.7 me 9.7 me 6.6 me

h. Milliequivalent weight of CO2, mg/me 22 mg/me 22 mg/me 22 mg/me


(molecular weight/2)

i. Milligrams of CO2 evolved, g x h 59.4 mg 213.4 mg 145.2 mg

Part II. Organic Material Decomposed, mg

a. Milliequivalent of CO2 (g) 0 154 85.8

b. Milliequivalent weight of C, 12/2 6 6 6

c. Milligrams of organic material decomposed, a x 0 406,560 mg 226,512 mg


b x 100/44

Soil microbial activity reflects the processes of soil microorganisms which can be an
indicator of the quality of the soil. In this activity, the decomposing materials used were
Gliricidia sepium for the narrow C:N and rice straw for the wide C:N. The data above shows that
the narrow C:N has higher carbon dioxide released as compared to the wide C:N. This implies
that soil microorganisms prefer more nitrogen content for a higher decomposition. The soil with
wide C:N ratio has lower decomposition rate, lower microbial activity, and lower release of
carbon dioxide.

QUESTIONS:

1. Explain any differences, if they exist, in the physical appearance of the three soils after
ignition.
-

2. Enumerate at least 5 management strategies to improve the organic matter content of


soils.
- More complex crop rotations, especially crops with high residues
- Reduced tillage
- Intensive use of cover crops
- Use of variety of organic amendments
- Implement practices that decrease the loss of organic matter from soils because of
accelerated decomposition or erosion.
3. How does C/N ratio of added organic material affect carbon dioxide evolution?
- The effect of the addition of C/N ratio is inversely proportional with the carbon
dioxide evolution. A diet rich in nitrogen (N) such as Gliricidia sepium causes the
microorganisms to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
4. In unamended soils, CO2 was also recovered. Explain how this happen.
- This is because microorganisms in the unamended soil produced CO2 through
respiration.

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