An interpretative model of carbon and nitrogentransformations applied to a residue incubation experiment

Abstract

A simple model of 3 equations was devised to simulate the rates through time of gross mineralisation of nitrogen, nitrogen immobilisation, and microbial respiration relating to individual inputs into soil of plant residues of any age or type. Using published data from an incubation experiment carried out in Iowa, we applied the model to a residue newly added to soil, to the original soil organic matter (SOM), and to a mixture of these.

Manipulation of the model allowed the derivation from the Iowa data of a net mineralisation index which seemed to summarise the nitrogen release characteristics of the residue in all treatments of the experiment.

The equations and parameter values developed for the added residue were applied to SOM using results from unamended soil. The balance between respiration and mineralisation was found not to correspond to that expected for old organic matter near an equilibrium carbon/nitrogen ratio. Rate constants of mineralisation and respiration for SOM were adapted to overcome this apparent anomaly.

To model the dynamics SOM and added residue simultaneously, the 2 sets of 3 equations were applied in parallel to 4 extreme treatments in the with-residue series (lowest and highest nitrate levels with low and high residue additions). To achieve the fits presented, only 2 of the 12 parameters required in each set of equations needed to differ between the set for SOM and that for added residue.

The model reproduces well most of the primary Iowa data and also some derived results. Use of the model helped to interpret divergences between simulations and data.