The decomposition dynamics and mineralization of nitrogen of fourteen residues of grasses and legumes forages varying in origin and collecting places were evaluated. Seven species were selected (B. humidicola, B. brizantha, A.pintoi, D.ovalifolium, L.leucocephala, S. guianensis and C. pubescens), based on qualitative characteristics and using the distance medium Euclidian as dissimilarities measure and then placed in erlenmeyers vases in the laboratory in an entirely randomized fashion. Decomposition data were analyzed using a split-splot design with residues in the main plot and the evaluation on time as the subplot. The decomposition of the selected residues was measured by means of the liberation of C-CO2, evaluated as a function of time (hours) and adjusted in a logistic function. Weekly sampling of ammonium and nitric nitrogen was realized for a period of seven weeks. If was observed that the amount of polyphenols and their protein complexing ability were the qualitative attribute that affect most the net decomposition and mineralization of N. The residues of C. pubescens and A. pintoi had the highest rates of decomposition and net N mineralization along with the residue of B. brizantha. Nitrification in the soil was more intense under the mineralization conditions of the A. pintoi.
mineralization; residue; decomposition
