Carbon Dioxide Release as an Index of Mineralization Rates of Organic Substrates

Abstract

Mineralization of nutrients from organic materials is vital for optimum plant growth and development. Various methods have been used to evaluate the mineralization rate of different organic substrates. Of these, carbon dioxide release is a reliable method to estimate mineralization rate. Four different substrates: dry chicken manure, Azolla, coconut coir dust (CCD), and Gliricidia sepium leaves and the combination of these substrates with SNAP solution on their rates of mineralization was determined. The results were significantly different in the amounts of CO₂ released from the substrates. CO₂ release from the substrates was stimulated by SNAP. Among all treatments, G. sepium with SNAP yielded the highest amount while coconut coir dust gave the lowest. Nitrogen mineralized to about fifty percent (50%) during the first week of all treatments. Using soil organic materials such as G. sepium leaves would quickly provide the soil with more mineralized nutrients which are available for plant growth and development.