Mineralization parameters from organic materials added to soil as a function of their chemical composition

Carbon mineralization of different organic materials added to soil was monitored over a short time in a laboratory incubation experiment. Several kinetic models were evaluated for their suitability in describing the decomposition processes. A modified first-order model best described carbon mineralization for each material. Parameters derived from such a model were tested as indexes for assessing the relationships between the decomposition in soil of the organic materials and their chemical compositions. The term 'initial potential rate of C mineralization', especially when normalized to total C added to soil, was found to be the most effective index for assessing the above-mentioned relationship. Carbon mineralization of different organic materials added to soil was monitored over a short time in a laboratory incubation experiment. Several kinetic models were evaluated for their suitability in describing the decomposition processes. A modified first-order model best described carbon mineralization for each material. Parameters derived from such a model were tested as indexes for assessing the relationships between the decomposition in soil of the organic materials and their chemical compositions. The term 'initial potential rate of C mineralization', especially when normalized to total C added to soil, was found to be the most effective index for assessing the above-mentioned relationship