Decomposition and release of nutrients from species of tropical green manure

Decomposition processes and mineralization are essential to determine the time deploy manage species in consortia or rotations. The aim of this article was study dynamics biomass decomposition release macronutrients plant residues Fabacea. used were: jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), dwarf mucuna (Mucuna deeringiana) sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea). experiment conducted field a randomized block design, 4 x 5 factorial, four green manure five times (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 days). In results, had lower C, N, K, Mg. All species, K P showed similar half-lives (t1/2). For presented lowest coefficient (k), 0.0040 g g-1 dia-1, associated with highest t1/2 (173.3 days), already, k (0.0122 dia-1) (56.8 edaphoclimatic conditions, use is recommended for supply nutrients shorter periods subsequent crops. However, greater persistence mulch on soil.