ICDSUPL2-E018

Volume: 2, 2023
2^nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: E018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E018

Published online: 19 April 2023

ICDSUPL, 2, E018 (2023)

Soil moisture impact on manuring induced soil respiration and organic matter decomposition

Sebastian Kuśmierz¹*, Katarzyna Połeć², Monika Skowrońska¹

¹ Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin; Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland

² Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, St. Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-950, Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: sebastian.kusmierz@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

Soil moisture is known to affect soil biological activity but its direct impact on OM  (organic matter) decomposition is yet to be explored. We hypothesized that under manure fertilization soils with higher water content will show higher CO₂ emissions and OM decomposition rates than drier soils. In order to test that, we conducted a short-term mesocosm study analysing relations between soil moisture and CO₂ fluxes derived from OM decomposition. In detail, 48 mesocosms filled with air-dried soil were rewetted gradually until they reached a water content of 20% to 100 % WHC (water holding capacity). Subsequently, soil was manured with a dose of 100kg N/ha. CO2 measurements were done daily for 3 weeks, after which CO₂ cumulative flux and OM decomposition rates were calculated. Linear regression analysis indicated that there is a strong impact of water content in the soils on both CO₂ flux and OM decomposition rates, raising the necessity of including soil moisture as a factor which may influence carbon losses from agriculturally managed soils.

How to cite

S. Kuśmierz, K. Połeć, M. Skowrońska, 2023. Soil moisture impact on manuring induced soil respiration and organic matter decomposition. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E018