Mazie (Zea mays L.) and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Straw Decomposition in Soil: Effect of Straw Placement, Mineral Nitrogen and Tillage

摘要

With the present understanding that decomposing straw may not only affect soil properties, but pos- sibly greenhouse gas emissions as well, focus among environmental researchers has gradually expanded to include understanding of decomposition rate and stability of straw of different plants in different soils under different management conditions. Against such a background, a short-term (60 days) greenhouse simulation experiment was carried out to study the effects of straw placement, external mineral N source and tillage on straw decomposition of maize and cotton in two contrasting soils, a red soil (Ferrasol) and a black soil (Acrisol).