Decomposition of Organic Matter in Soils in Relation to Mineralization of Carbon and Nutrient Availability

In an aerobic incubation with different organic matter it was found that the rate of CO2 evolution was highest during the first week of incubation. Farmyard manure showed a steady evolution of CO2 and was found to be the best material for building up of soil organic matter. Mineralization of N was the highest and rapid from Sesbania rostrata foliowed by rice straw and farmyard manure. Rice straw caused N immobilization during the initial period of incubation.