AGRO 2051 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Nutrient Cycle, Bulk Density, Water Content
Document Summary
Very briefly, what is meant by the carbon cycle (or any other nutrient cycle) is simply the cycling between organic and inorganic forms. Rate of decomposition sugars, starches, proteins hemicelluloses > cellulose > fats, waxes > lignins leading to radiation, Increasing concentration of certain gases in the atmosphere may cause a net gain in solar increased average temperatures, alteration in weather patterns and rise in sea level. In addition to co2, other greenhouse gases are released from soil. These include co2, ch4 and n2o produced by soil microorganisms. The origin of soil organic matter is plant material. The rate of decomposition of plant residues depends on their composition and soil environmental conditions. Decomposition proceeds with the liberation of co2 + h2o; release of n, p and s in inorganic forms (mineralization) or synthesis into organic combinations (immobilization); and the formation of new compounds that are resistant to decomposition.
