Ohio State University Extension Bulletin

Ornamental Plants
Annual Reports and Research Reviews
2001

Special Circular 186-02

Mulch Effects on Soil Microbial Activity, Nutrient Cycling, and Plant Growth in Ornamental Landscapes

John Lloyd recently completed his Ph.D. degree in entomology at The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, in Wooster, and is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho;

Dan Herms,
The Ohio State University,
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center,
Entomology;

Ben Stinner,
Kellogg Professor of Agricultural Ecosystem Management,
The Ohio State University,
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center;

Harry Hoitink,
The Ohio State University,
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center,
Plant Pathology

Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by the International Society of Arboriculture Research Trust Hyland Johns Grant Program and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center Interdisciplinary Grant Program. Mulch was donated by Kurtz Brothers, Inc., and rhododendrons were donated by Roemer Nursery, Inc.

Literature Cited

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Frey, S. D., E. T. Elliott, K. Paustian, G. A. Peterson. 2000. Fungal translocation as a mechanism for soil nitrogen inputs to surface residue decomposition in a no-tillage agroecosystem. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 32:689-698.

Glenn, J. 1999. Producers expand line of mulch products. BioCycle 40:45-47.

Kaye, J. P., and S. C. Hart. 1997. Competition for nitrogen between plants and soil microorganisms. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 12: 139-142.

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Nasholm, T., A. Ekblad, A. Nordin, R. Giesler, M. Högberg, and P. Högberg. 1998. Boreal forest plants take up organic nitrogen. Nature 392:914-916.

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Robinson, D. W. 1988. Mulches and herbicides in ornamental plantings. HortScience 23:547-552.

Wardle, D. A. 1992. A comparative assessment of factors which influence microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen levels in soil. Biological Review 67:321-358.

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