Experimentos de laboratorio para el estudio del efecto del fuego de la quema de restos vegetales sobre las propiedades del suelo

Abstract

Seven surface soils from Colombia were analyzed directly (field-fresh), after drying at 40°C and after giving it the temperature treatments at 105°C, 300° and 500°C in order to study the effect of temperature upon soil characteristics. The pH values increased up to 1.5 units on heating to 500°C. The carbon and nitrogen content decreased to minimal values, specially after 500°C, the temperature of 300°C, that is common on burning the plant residues , would induce a loss of aproximately 200 kgN/ha in these soils. Burning of organic matter liberates P as H2PO4- wich then reacts to form calcium, iron and aluminum phosphates in soils. The increase in the water soluble cations was a very significant, and occurred parallel to the decrease in their reserves as exchangeable cations.