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CROP RESIDUES

Residue Decomposition and Prediction of Carbon and Nitrogen Release Rates Based on Biochemical Fractions Using Principal-Component Regression

Dep. of Crop Sci., Univ. of Illinois, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801

^* Corresponding author (gbollero{at}uiuc.edu)

Received for publication May 21, 2002. The successful use of winter cover crops (WCCs) in short rotations depends on adequate management of their residues. To improve management decisions, there is a need to understand the factors controlling WCC residue decomposition rates and nutrient release rates. A 2-yr study was conducted to estimate residue decomposition and C and N release rates using principal-component regression (PCR) based on WCC biochemical fractions at the time of WCC killing. Rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), and rye–hairy vetch biculture were planted as WCCs in the fall and chemically killed in the spring before no-till–planting corn (Zea mays L.). At killing time, residues were analyzed for total C and total N concentrations, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), and C and N concentration in the NDF and ADF. Concentration of C and N in neutral detergent soluble fractions (NDSOLC and NDSOLN, respectively) and acid detergent soluble fractions (ADSOLC and ADSOLN, respectively) were calculated. Principal components (PCs) 1, 4, 5, and 7 were selected as significant predictor variables for biomass decomposition and C and N release rates. The PC1 scores suggest that large concentrations of NDF and ADF are associated with low biomass decomposition and slow C and N release rates. Other important fractions are C and N concentration in the NDF and NDSOLC, NDSOLN, ADSOLC, and ADSOLN. The availabilities of C and N, rather than their total concentration in the residue, play a critical role in residue decomposition and nutrient release.

Abbreviations: AD, acid detergent • ADF, acid detergent fiber • ADFC, carbon concentration in acid detergent fiber fraction • ADFN, nitrogen concentration in acid detergent fiber fraction • ADSOL, acid detergent soluble fraction • ADSOLC, carbon concentration in acid detergent soluble fraction • ADSOLN, nitrogen concentration in acid detergent soluble fraction • C/N, carbon/nitrogen ratio • CV, coefficient of variation • DCD, decomposition-day(s) • DGD, degree-day(s) • PC, principal component • PCR, principal-component regression • ND, neutral detergent • NDF, neutral detergent fiber • NDFC, carbon concentration in neutral detergent fiber fraction • NDFN, nitrogen concentration in neutral detergent fiber fraction • NDSOL, neutral detergent soluble fraction • NDSOLC, carbon concentration in neutral detergent soluble fraction • NDSOLN, nitrogen concentration in neutral detergent soluble fraction • WCC, winter cover crop

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