Title: Soil biodegradation of aerial and underground litter of Miscanthus , a perennial energy crop
Abstract: To predict the environmental benefits of energy crop production and use, the nature and fate of biomass residues in the soil need to be quantified. Our objective was to quantify Miscanthus x giganteus biomass recycling to soil (senescent leaves, roots and rhizomes) and to assess how harvesting time and N fertilization affect their characteristics and subsequent biodegradability. The quantification of aerial and belowground biomasses and their sampling were performed on 2- and 3-year-old Miscanthus stands, either fertilized with 120 kg N ha -1 year -1 or not fertilized, in autumn (maximal biomass production) and winter (maturity). Plant biomass was chemically characterized and incubated in optimum decomposition conditions (15°C, -80kPa) for 263 days, for C and N mineralization. C mineralization kinetics was analyzed in relation to litter quality.
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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