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In general, litter with a C:N ratio greater than 30 leads to immobilization, lit

ID: 161064 • Letter: I

Question

In general, litter with a C:N ratio greater than 30 leads to immobilization, litter with a C:N ratio less than 20 leads to mineralization, and litter with a C:N ratio of 20—30 leads to a balance of immobilization and mineralization resulting in no net N production. If garlic mustard leaf litter collected on the forest floor had 43.2% C and 1.16% N, this tissue would lead to

A) immobilization.

B) mineralization.

C) a balance of immobilization and mineralization.

Answer: C

I want to know the reason. Thank you.

Explanation / Answer

C/N ratio = 43.2/1.16 = 37.24

37.24 >30

Here the answer should be immobilization as the C/N ratio is greater than 30.

It seems there is some problem with the answer key.