Contrasting agricultural management effects on soil organic carbon dynamics between topsoil and subsoil

Soil Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Yui Osanai ◽  
Oliver Knox ◽  
Gunasekhar Nachimuthu ◽  
Brian Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Organic Fraction ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact

Agricultural practices (e.g. tillage, crop rotation and fertiliser application) have a strong influence on the balance between carbon (C) input and output by altering physicochemical and microbial properties that control decomposition processes in the soil. Recent studies suggest that the mechanisms by which agricultural practice impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in the topsoil may not be the same as those in the subsoil. Here, we assessed SOC stock, soil organic fractions and nitrogen availability to 1.0 m in soils under a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-based cropping system, and assessed the impact of agricultural management (three historical cropping systems with or without maize (Zea mays L.) rotation) on SOC storage. We found that the maize rotation and changes in the particulate organic fraction influenced SOC stock in the topsoil, although the overall change in SOC stock was small. The large increase in subsoil SOC stock (by 31%) was dominated by changes in the mineral-associated organic fraction, which were influenced by historical cropping systems and recent maize rotation directly and indirectly via changes in soil nitrogen availability. The strong direct effect of maize rotation on SOC stock, particularly in the subsoil, suggests that the direct transfer of C into the subsoil SOC pool may dominate C dynamics in this cropping system. Therefore, agricultural management that affects the movement of C within the soil profile (e.g. changes in soil physical properties) could have a significant consequence for subsoil C storage.

Potential soil organic carbon stock and its uncertainty under various cropping systems in Australian cropland

Soil Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongkui Luo ◽  
Enli Wang ◽  
Jeff Baldock ◽  
Hongtao Xing
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
Soc Stocks

The diversity of cropping systems and its variation could lead to great uncertainty in the estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock across time and space. Using the pre-validated Agricultural Production Systems Simulator, we simulated the long-term (1022 years) SOC dynamics in the top 0.3 m of soil at 613 reference sites under 59 representative cropping systems across Australia’s cereal-growing regions. The point simulation results were upscaled to the entire cereal-growing region using a Monte Carlo approach to quantify the spatial pattern of SOC stock and its uncertainty caused by cropping system and environment. The predicted potential SOC stocks at equilibrium state ranged from 10 to 140 t ha–1, with the majority in a range 30–70 t ha–1, averaged across all the representative cropping systems. Cropping system accounted for ~10% of the total variance in predicted SOC stocks. The type of cropping system that determined the carbon input into soil had significant effects on SOC sequestration potential. On average, the potential SOC stock in the top 0.3 m of soil was 30, 50 and 60 t ha–1 under low-, medium- and high-input cropping systems in terms of carbon input, corresponding to –2, 18 and 26 t ha–1 of SOC change. Across the entire region, the Monte Carlo simulations showed that the potential SOC stock was 51 t ha–1, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 38 to 64 t ha–1 under the identified representative cropping systems. Overall, predicted SOC stock could increase by 0.99 Pg in Australian cropland under the identified representative cropping systems with optimal management. Uncertainty varied depending on cropping system, climate and soil conditions. Detailed information on cropping system and soil and climate characteristics is needed to obtain reliable estimates of potential SOC stock at regional scale, particularly in cooler and/or wetter regions.

scholarly journals Measuring and Monitoring the Impact of Precision Land Levelling and Arable Cropping Systems on Aggregate Associated Carbon Fractions and Soil Carbon Stock in Sub-tropical Ecosystems

2020 ◽  
pp. 197-220
Author(s):  
R. K. Naresh ◽  
Yogesh Kumar ◽  
S. S. Tomar ◽  
Mukesh Kumar ◽  
M. Sharath Chandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Energy Productivity ◽  
Tropical Ecosystems ◽  
Carbon Fractions ◽  
The Impact

The Long term experiment (2009-10 to-2018-19) was conducted to study the effects of precision land levelled (PLL) versus traditional land levelled (TLL) systems on aggregate-associated soil organic carbon (SOC) in a farmers participatory fields under sub-tropical ecosystems (Western Uttar Pradesh) of Indian conditions. The significance of this study mainly focus to determine the suitability of various labile carbon fractions as indicators of soil quality and the stability of aggregates plays a vital role in preserving and long term storing of soil organic carbon by implementing Precision Land Levelling under various arable cropping system. The treatment comprised of sixteen alternative arable cropping systems strategies viz. R-WPLL, R-WTLL, S-WPLL, S-WTLL, R-P-MbPLL, R-P-MbTLL, R-P-OPLL, R-P-OTLL, R-C-OPLL, R-C-OTLL, O-W-MbPLL, O-W-MbTLL, M-W-MbPLL, M-W-MbTLL, M-P-MbPLL, and M-P-MbTLL etc were taken with recommended dose of fertilizers and various observations were recorded. The results indicated that the M-P-MbPLL produced 79.5 kgha-1day-1 productivity and used only 110 cm irrigation water which was 48.1 per cent less than irrigation water used for R-WPLL. The land use efficiency under R-P-MbPLL, R-P-OPLL, R-P-MbPLL, R-C-OPLL and M-P-MbPLL were recorded as 86.2, 85.1, 84.8, 84.6 and 83.9%. However, energy value in terms total input energy and energy productivity were 39.9 and 218.5 GJ ha-1 over existing R-W system (32.9 & 105.7 GJ ha-1). The quantity of water used in the R-C-O, M-W-Mb, M-P-Mb, and O-W-Mb were 46.1, 44.9, 40.1 and 36.3 per cent less than quantity of water used for R-W system. Aggregate-associated SOC contents in 0-15 cm depth were recorded highest SOC at 15-30 cm depth in PLL systems as 9.4% for both M-P-MbPLL and M-W-MbPLL. Highest PON change in arable cropping system (30.9 & 40.1%) was found in O-W-Mb with precision land levelling (T11) plots followed by R-P-O with precision land levelling (T7) plots (26.1 & 35.8%) as compared to R-W and S-W system. The values of LFOC in surface soil were 194.7, 187.9, 176.2, 170.9, 168.5, 150.6, 132.8 and 123.8 mgkg−1 in R-P-O, R-C-O, M-W-Mb, O-W-Mb, M-P-Mb, R-P-Mb, R-W and S-W with precision land levelling treatments. Higher SOC sequestration was observed with precision land leveling along with alternative arable cropping systems with O-W-MbPLL, R-C-OPLL, R-P-OPLL, O-W-MbPLL and M-P-MbPLL respectively. Therefore, PLL systems had greater soil surface aggregation and carbon storage, land levelling did not affect SOC patterns across aggregates, but changed the distribution of aggregate size, reflecting that land levelling mainly influenced soil fertility by altering soil structure.

Effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon stock and other soil properties

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Ferré ◽  
Gianni Facciotto ◽  
Sara Bergante ◽  
Roberto Comolli
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Tree Plantation ◽  
Humus Forms ◽  
Organic Horizons ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact

<p>We explored the effects of conversion from vineyard to tree plantation on humus forms, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and other soil properties by sampling paired plots in a hilly area of Monferrato (Piedmont, Italy).</p><p>The study area is located at Rosignano Monferrato (AL) and includes a vineyard (VY) and a nearby 30-years-old tree plantation (TP) for wood production that replaced an existing vineyard, where eight poplar clones were consociated with other timber species (wild cherry, European ash, manna ash, deodar cedar). The area under study covers 3 ha and extends along a slighty-wavy slope with an average gradient of 15%; according to the WRB classification, soils are Calcaric Cambisols (Loamic).</p><p>The impact of land use change on soil properties was evaluated considering the spatial variability of soil characteristics, testing for autocorrelation among the model residuals. Soil sampling was performed from 3 layers (0-10 cm, 10-40 cm and 40-70 cm) at 61 and 69 points in the VY and the TP respectively, to characterize soil pH in water, organic carbon content and SOC stock, C:N ratio, soil texture and total carbonates. The common pedological origin of soils within the study area was verified and confirmed by comparability of soil texture and carbonates content of the deeper layer.</p><p>At TP the humus forms were described and classified; the organic horizons were sampled and analyzed for OC content determination.</p><p>Statistical analyses showed significant (p-value < 0.05) differences for all the investigated layers between the considered land uses with regard to pH, SOC stock and C:N ratio.</p><p>Our study provided evidence that: (1) the conversion from vineyard to tree plantation resulted in the appearance of organic horizons: the main humus forms in TP were Mull and Amphi; (2) 30 years of tree plantation strongly modified SOC stock, resulting in an increase of 26% in the first 70 cm, which became 42% if the organic layers were included; (2) soil acidification (pH difference of 0.4) and change in SOC type (C:N increase of 1) were also observed in TP compared to VY; and (3) the spatial distribution of soil properties in the VY were affected by erosive and depositional dynamics unlike the TP where vegetation counterbalance erosion.</p>

scholarly journals Future climate variability impacts on potential erosion and soil organic carbon in European croplands

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1561-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. van der Velde ◽  
J. Balkovič ◽  
C. Beer ◽  
N. Khabarov ◽  
M. Kuhnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Climate Trend ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Earth System Models

Abstract. We investigate the impact of future climate variability on the potential vulnerability of soils to erosion and the consequences for soil organic carbon (SOC) in European croplands. Soil erosion is an important carbon flux not characterized in Earth System Models. We use a~European implementation of EPIC, driven by reference climate data (CNTRL), and climate data with reduced variability (REDVAR). Whether erosion regimes will change across European cropland depends on the spatial conjunction of expected changes in climate variability and physiographic conditions conducive to erosion. We isolated the effect of erosion by performing simulations with and without erosion. Median CNTRL and REDVAR erosion rates equalled 14.4 and 9.1 ton ha−1, and 19.1 and 9.7, for 1981–2010 and 2071–2100, respectively. The total amount of carbon lost from European cropland due to erosion was estimated at 769 Tg C for 1981–2010 (from a total storage of 6197 Tg C without erosion) under CNTRL climate. Climate trend impacts reduce the European cropland SOC stock by 578 Tg C without – and by 683 Tg C with erosion, from 1981 to 2100. Climate variability compounds these impacts and decreases the stock by an estimated 170 Tg without erosion and by 314 Tg C with erosion, by the end of the century. Future climate variability and erosion will thus compound impacts on SOC stocks arising from gradual climate change alone.

scholarly journals Economics- and policy-driven organic carbon input enhancement dominates soil organic carbon accumulation in Chinese croplands

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (16) ◽  
pp. 4045-4050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongcun Zhao ◽  
Meiyan Wang ◽  
Shuijin Hu ◽  
Xudong Zhang ◽  
Zhu Ouyang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
Carbon Accumulation ◽  
The Impact

China’s croplands have experienced drastic changes in management practices, such as fertilization, tillage, and residue treatments, since the 1980s. There is an ongoing debate about the impact of these changes on soil organic carbon (SOC) and its implications. Here we report results from an extensive study that provided direct evidence of cropland SOC sequestration in China. Based on the soil sampling locations recorded by the Second National Soil Survey of China in 1980, we collected 4,060 soil samples in 2011 from 58 counties that represent the typical cropping systems across China. Our results showed that across the country, the average SOC stock in the topsoil (0–20 cm) increased from 28.6 Mg C ha−1 in 1980 to 32.9 Mg C ha−1 in 2011, representing a net increase of 140 kg C ha−1 year−1. However, the SOC change differed among the major agricultural regions: SOC increased in all major agronomic regions except in Northeast China. The SOC sequestration was largely attributed to increased organic inputs driven by economics and policy: while higher root biomass resulting from enhanced crop productivity by chemical fertilizers predominated before 2000, higher residue inputs following the large-scale implementation of crop straw/stover return policy took over thereafter. The SOC change was negatively related to N inputs in East China, suggesting that the excessive N inputs, plus the shallowness of plow layers, may constrain the future C sequestration in Chinese croplands. Our results indicate that cropland SOC sequestration can be achieved through effectively manipulating economic and policy incentives to farmers.

The impact of hedges maturation on soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Biffi ◽  
Pippa j Chapman ◽  
Richard P Grayson ◽  
Guy Ziv
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact

<p>Hedgerows can provide a wide range of regulatory ecosystem services within improved grassland landscapes, such as soil function improvement, soil erosion reduction, biodiversity, water quality, and flood prevention and mitigation. Because of their beneficial effects, farmers are incentivised to retain their hedgerows and the planting of hedges has been encouraged in agri-environment schemes in Europe. Today, hedgerow planting it is one of the most popular practices adopted in the Countryside and Environmental Stewardships in England. The role of hedgerows in climate change mitigation has been increasingly recognized over the past decade, however, while other services have been more widely studies, less is known about hedges soil organic carbon (SOC) storage capacity. The Resilient Dairy Landscapes project aims at identifying strategies to reconcile dairy systems productivity and environment in the face of climate change, and with the Committee on Climate Change calling for a 30% - 40% increase in hedgerow length by 2050 in the UK, it is important to determine the role of hedgerows in meeting Net Zero targets. In this study, we estimate the extent of SOC stock beneath hedges and how it may vary with depth, hedge management and age, as well as how it may compare to SOC stock in adjacent agricultural fields. Thus, we measured SOC under 2-4 years old, 10 years old, 37 years old, and 40+ years old hedgerows at 10 cm intervals up to 50 cm of depth under 32 hedges located on dairy farms in Cumbria, UK. We found that the time since planting and the depth of samples play a crucial role in the amount of SOC stock stored underneath hedgerows when accounting for differences in soil type. Our results contribute measurable outcomes towards the estimate of targets for Net Zero 2050 and the extent of ecosystem services provision by hedgerow planting in agricultural landscapes.  </p>

Stocks, composition and vulnerability to loss of soil organic carbon predicted using mid-infrared spectroscopy

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Baldock ◽  
M. H. Beare ◽  
D. Curtin ◽  
B. Hawke
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soc Stocks

Developing a routine and cost effective capability for measuring soil organic carbon (SOC) content and composition will allow identification of land management practices with a potential to maintain or enhance SOC stocks. Coupling SOC content data and mid-infrared (MIR) spectra through the application of partial least-squares regression (PLSR) analyses has been used to develop such a prediction capability. The objective of this study was to determine whether MIR/PLSR analyses provide accurate estimates of the content and composition of SOC that can be used to quantify SOC stocks and its potential vulnerability to loss. Soil was collected from a field trial incorporating a range of land use (pasture, arable cropping and bare fallow) and tillage (intensive, minimum and no tillage) treatments over a nine-year period. The SOC content was measured by dry combustion analysis. Particulate organic carbon was separated from other forms of carbon on the basis of particle size (SOC in the >50 µm fraction). Resistant organic carbon was quantified using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. The MIR/PLSR algorithms were successfully developed to predict the natural logarithms of the contents of SOC and POC in the collected soils. With initial calibration, a single MIR analysis could be used in conjunction with PLSR algorithms to predict the content of SOC and its allocation to component fractions. The MIR/PLSR predicted SOC contents provided reliable estimates of the impact of agricultural management on the 0–25-cm SOC stocks, as well as an indication of the vulnerability of SOC to loss. Development of this capability will facilitate the rapid and cost effective collection of SOC content data for detecting the impact of agricultural management treatments on SOC stocks, composition and potential vulnerability to change.

scholarly journals Influence of Management Practices on Selected Cowpea Growth Attributes and Soil Organic Carbon

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
E. T. Sebetha ◽  
A. T. Modi
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Physiological Maturity ◽  
Plant Soil

<p>Cowpea is a multi-purpose nitrogen fixing crop that can be grown as a vegetable, grain legume and a fodder. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth response of cowpea to different cropping systems at different locations and determine nitrogen fertilization on cowpea growth and soil organic carbon content. Three cropping systems were used, namely, maize-cowpea rotation, cowpea monocropping and maize-cowpea intercropping at three locations (Potchefstroom, Taung, and Rustenburg) in South Africa during 2011/12 and 2012/13 planting seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at two rates where no application was the control at all locations and application according to soil analysis recommendation for maize requirement was applied at each location. The variables measured for cowpea growth were days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity, number of leaves and nodules per cowpea plant. Soil organic carbon was determined for each treatment. The results showed that, maize-cowpea rotation and monocropping reached days to 100% flowering and maturity significantly earlier compared to intercropping. Cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg reached days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity significantly earlier than cowpea planted at Taung. Cowpea planted at Taung had significantly higher number of nodules per plant than cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg. There was also a positive correlation between soil organic carbon and cowpea growth. It is concluded that the positive effect of cowpea in agronomic systems is enhanced by the correct cropping system, although it is affected by location.</p>

scholarly journals Short-term dynamics of leaf litter-derived soil organic carbon under different coffee and cocoa cropping systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-225
Author(s):  
Erwin Prastowo ◽  
Laily Mukaromah
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Shade Trees ◽  
Short Term

Litter plays a crucial role in the formation of soil organic carbon (SOC), and potentially affects different pools in the context of soil carbon cycle. To improve knowledge and understanding with respect to the dynamics of carbon in coffee and cocoa cropping systems, there is a need to develop a mechanistic model to explain the formation of carbon especially in different background of soil, climate and agronomic management. Short-term observation was performed in different cropping systems, i.e. coffee (Coff) and cocoa (CoL) with lamtoro(Leucaena sp.) shade trees, and cocoa with oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) shade trees (CoP), and teak (Tectona grandis) conservation area, to investigate the quantitative amount of leaf litter-derived carbon. Additionally, to improve the understanding with respect to the formation of soil organic carbon, a simple model is developed by employing organic carbon storage coefficient (hi) as parameter to validate the observation data from Coff and CoL plots. Leaf litter is collected daily with concomitant microclimate records, i.e. air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity, and soil temperature. Composite soil and leaf samples are collected for organic carbon, soil moisture content, and leaf relative water content (RWC), for laboratory identification. Analysis of data suggests the presence of cropping system effect, i.e. shading condition and agronomical practices such as pruning, to microclimate variations except for soil temperature. Furthermore, cropping systems do not significantly influence soil moisture content, amount of organic carbon, and RWC. With higher model efficiency (EF), the simulated model fits better for CoL, EF 0.95, than Coff, EF 0.58. Model simulation, with both hi values are 0.017 and 0.014 in Coff and CoL, reveals a possibly cropping system specific curve pattern. A faster SOC formation in Coff plot has suggested a crucial role the amount of leaf litter to support with continuous carbon supply. The simulation implies the presence of soil related-maximum point limiting carbon storage capacity

scholarly journals Potential and constraints for applying the “4 per 1000 Initiative” in the Caribbean: the case of Guadeloupe

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Chopin ◽  
Jorge Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soc Stocks

AbstractThis paper assesses the feasibility of the 4 per 1000 initiative for agricultural soils in the tropics more specifically in Guadeloupe, as a representative case study of the Caribbean and other tropical regions. We used a locally adapted and calibrated model describing soil organic carbon dynamics under the impact of climate change and a broad range of scenarios combining increased use of organic amendments, reduced soil tillage, and increased land area for the local market. We found that, in its current state, only 26% of agricultural area could achieve a 4‰ year−1 increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the coming 30 years, due mainly to perennial cropping systems (sugarcane, banana, orchards) occupying soils with the lowest SOC stocks. Implementing reduced tillage with increased use of locally produced composts would increase the agricultural area reaching the 4 per 1000 target to 31%. However, at territory scale, all scenarios tested showed an annual decrease in SOC stocks varying from − 0.1 to − 3.2‰. The limited area on which the 4 per 1000 target is feasible and generalized SOC losses were mainly linked to the current high SOC stocks in volcanic and calcareous soils on the island and lack of practices capable of further increasing C inputs in current cropping systems. We concluded that C sequestration potential in the Caribbean is rather limited and that increasing SOC stocks, even lower than 4 per 1000, should be the primary target in adaptation to climate change, by increasing the resilience of cropping systems based mainly on SOC-poor soils.

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