Fragment size and diversity of mulches affect their decomposition, nutrient dynamics, and mycorrhizal root colonisation

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F23%3A97114" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/23:97114 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36457-x" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36457-x</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36457-x" target="_blank" >10.1038/s41598-023-36457-x</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Fragment size and diversity of mulches affect their decomposition, nutrient dynamics, and mycorrhizal root colonisation

Original language description

Plant-based mulch has been proposed as a sustainable way of maintaining soil fertility. However, the role of mulch diversity, quality, and size in decomposition dynamics, and their effect on crop yield, has not been fully explored. We investigated how mulch quality, proxied by the constituent plant species diversity, and residue size drive mulch decomposition, nutrient release, crop nutrition, and yield. A rhizotron experiment was set up with barley as a model crop, with the addition of mulch of two particle sizes (1.5 and 30 cm) and four different plant residue mixes of differing biodiversity (17, 12, 6, and 1 species) in a fully factorial design. Soil nutrient dynamics were measured at advanced decomposition stages, together with residue quality, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) root colonisation, and crop yield. Residue mass loss was significantly affected by its chemical composition. Initial NDF content was more restricted factor in C and N mineralisation than C:N or lignin. Long residues retained significantly higher C and N content, than short residues. Crop yield was not affected by residue type or size. Residue size significantly affected barley growth rate, influencing seed protein content. Soil available K was significantly increased by residues with a higher initial C:N ratio. Short residues resulted in higher soil Zn. Residues of higher diversity resulted inhigher AMF root colonisationof the barley plants. Generally, long residue mulches maintain higher fertilisation capacity at advanced stage of decomposition than short ones, without a deleterious effect on crop yield. Further investigation should evaluate the effect of continuous application of long residue mulches on soil fertility and microbial symbiosis.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10618 - Ecology

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Scientific Reports

ISSN

2045-2322

e-ISSN

2045-2322

Volume of the periodical

13

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

1-14

UT code for WoS article

001006690200062

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85163111687