DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2015.v03i04.009

Pages: 369-374

The objective of the present study was to determine how carbon mineralization of red beet soil (Beta vulgaris L. var. rapacea, Chenopodiaceae) is affected by the addition of red radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula, Brassicaceae), watermelon radish (Raphanus sativus L., Brassicaceae) and red beet leaf, tuber and their mixtures (containing 2.0% total organic carbon) under the laboratory conditions (60 days at 28°C). Carbon mineralization of all soil-plant mixtures was determined by CO2 respiration. The ratios of C mineralization (%) in soils added red radish tuber, leaves and tubers of watermelon radish, leaves and tubers of red radish was significantly higher than no added soil at the end of 60 days. C mineralization ratio increased especially in addition of red radish leaves together with tuber. This result show that organic C and N contents and organic matter quality of red radish were more preferred by soil microorganisms than organic matter of the red beet and watermelon radish.