Date of Award
1-10-2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Agriculture, MSA
First Advisor
Steven Green
Committee Members
Jennifer Bouldin; Kim Pittcock
Abstract
Ethanol and other advanced biofuels from cellulosic biomass, plant stalks, trunks, stems, and leaves are renewable alternatives expected to significantly produce improved or expanded renewable energy sources to meet the current energy demand. Therefore, we need to better understand the production of renewable energy sources needs. The long term combined effects of tillage, cropping systems and nutrient sources fertilization on active and slow fractions of soil organic matter dynamics need to be realized. The objectives of this research are to: 1) determine the effects of different nutrient sources on soil organic matter dynamics and 2) determine the effects of bioenergy cropping systems on soil organic matter dynamics. I hypothesize that mixed planting of bioenergy crops combined with organic nutrient sources will increase organic matter buildup and enhance on OM dynamics. A field experiment was established in 2009 at the Arkansas State University Research Farm Complex in Jonesboro, Arkansas (35< 50L 11h North, 90< 39L 57h West), USA. Five biomass species treatments and four nutrient source treatments, in all combinations, were established in spring 2009. The crop species treatments include: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), switchgrass/big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) mix, eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and biomass sorghum rotation with soybean (Glycine max). The various fertilizers include pelleted poultry litter, class A municipal biosolids, and chemical nitrogen fertilizer (urea) as well as a control with no nitrogen added. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design. During year one of study, depth and block were significant at (ANOVA p > 0.0005). There were no significant differences among the different nutrient sources (urea, biosolids and poultry litter) and cropping systems on soil organic matter, Active soil carbon and fÀ- glucosidase activity although the control plots had slightly lower values.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Khatenje, Jane Achando, "Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in bioenergy cropping systems" (2011). Student Theses and Dissertations. 975.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/975
