• Login
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Home
    • Massey Documents by Type
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The influence of cultural practices on soil organic matter, soil biomass size and nitrogen leaching : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science (Agricultural Environmental Science) at Massey University, New Zealand

    Icon
    View/Open Full Text
    01_front.pdf (277.9Kb)
    02_whole.pdf (2.001Mb)
    Export to EndNote
    Abstract
    The effects of bare fallow, cultivation and nitrogen application on soil organic matter, soil biomass and nitrogen leaching were compared against the backgrounds of permanent grass pasture and grass/clover pasture. Cultivated plots were dug annually to a depth of 15cm. All plots received an annual dressing of 300kg ha·1 of Potassic Super. The Nitrogen treatment was applied as two equal applications of 100kg ha·1 Calcium Ammonium Nitrate in November and December each year. The results indicated that both bare fallowing and cultivation reduced soil organic matter and soil microbial biomass. The use of N-fertilizer did not promote either the soil organic matter or soil microbial biomass; this is contrary to the general finding. Legume nitrogen was found to leach as readily as the applied nitrogen and hence posed an environmental threat to groundwater quality. In all cultural practices the largest concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) was observed at the 50 - 100m depth, below the root zone. Vertical movement of groundwater was estimated at lm year·1 This confirmed the concern of possible groundwater pollution by nitrate nitrogen from agricultural activities.
    Date
    1994
    Author
    Mapfumo, Phillimon
    Rights
    The Author
    Publisher
    Massey University
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10179/14802
    Collections
    • Theses and Dissertations
    Metadata
    Show full item record

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1
     

     

    Tweets by @Massey_Research
    Information PagesContent PolicyDepositing content to MROCopyright and Access InformationDeposit LicenseDeposit License SummaryTheses FAQFile FormatsDoctoral Thesis Deposit

    Browse

    All of MROCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Copyright © Massey University
    Contact Us | Send Feedback | Copyright Take Down Request | Massey University Privacy Statement
    DSpace software copyright © Duraspace
    v5.7-2020.1