Carbon Dioxide Emissions from an Organically Amended Tropical Soil

Abstract

This study determined carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a tropical soil amended with organic compost (CP), chicken manure (CM), and untreated controls during three growing seasons of sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The organic amendments resulted in significantly greater CO2 emissions compared with control treatments. The time duration after organic amendment applications significantly affected CO2 emissions, especially during the warmer growing seasons. The cumulative soil CO2 emissions increased in the order of control < CP < CM probably due to a greater microbial activity and to the greater above and below ground biomass production from N fertilization of organic amendments.