Evolution of CO.> from Soil Humus 



163 



loss {)t oiie-tliircl of the nitrogtMi was sliown to takt> place in 22 years, 

 as a result ot (.iiltiNatioii; one-tliird of the' nitrogen liberated durinj^ 



80 100 120 



Days of incubation 



200 



Fic. 70. Influence of moisture upon decomposition of peat (from Waksman and 



Purvis ) . 



the decomposition was recovered in the crops. The nature and the 

 treatment of the soil are of considerable importance in determining 

 the extent of these changes (Table 32). 



TArtLE 3:3. Influence of Carbon-Xitrogen Ratio in Soil upon the Decomposition 

 OF Soil Organic Matter (from Sievers and Holtz) 



Carbon Nitrogen C/N Ratio of 

 Liberated Liberated Mineralized 



