ABSTRACT
Effect of soil moisture levels and temperature on organic matter decomposition, under laboratory conditions

M. Teresa Varnero M.1, Fernando Santibáñez O.1 y Marión Espinosa T.2
 

The influence of temperature and moisture levels on the decomposition of soil organic matter was determined in two dryland soil sections of the Metropolitan Region. Section 1, with herbaceous cover and section 2 with herbaceous and shrub cover. Incubations under laboratory conditions during 37 days at five temperatures, 10º, 20º, 30º, 40º, and 60º Cand two moisture levels, -0.3 bars and -15 bars were stablished, to determine respiration rateo In soil sampJes incubated at -0.3 bars the first respiratory pick was detected at 30ºC and the second one at 60ºC for both bistratified and herbaceous range situations. The two soil samples incubated at -15 bars showed the first pick at 20ºC, while the second was detected at 60ºC for the bistratified range and at 40º to 60ºC for the herbaceous one.

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1 Fac. de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. U. de Chile. Casilla 1004, Santiago, Chile.
2 a/c. M.T. Varnero. Casilla 1004, Santiago, Chile.