Long-term effects of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic C and total N in a clay soil in southwestern Saskatchewan

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
D. Curtin
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
N Content ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
C And N

Soil organic matter contributes to the productivity and physical well-being of soils. An 11-yr study was conducted on a clay soil in the Brown soil zone in southwestern Saskatchewan to determine the influence of tillage and cropping frequency on soil organic C and total N content. Carbon and N behaved in a similar manner. Cropping frequency did not affect soil organic C or total N content, but soil C and N were greater under no-tillage (NT) than under mechanically tilled continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Cont W) and fallow-wheat (F-W) rotations. Effects were apparent in the 0– to 7.5– and 7.5– to 15-cm depths. Over the 11-yr period, F-W (minimum tillage) gained no additional C; Cont W (conventional tillage) gained 2 t C ha−1, and both Cont W (NT) and F-W (NT) gained 5 t C ha−1. Changes in organic C and N were greatest in the final 4 yr of the experiment when crop residue production was greatest. Using data from two similar experiments conducted during the same period on soils differing in texture, we demonstrated that C gains were directly related to clay content of the soils. Thus, when attempting to estimate C storage in soils, we must consider both residue input and soil clay content. Key words: Organic C, total N, organic matter, soil texture, bulk density

Water-stable aggregation and organic matter in four soils under conventional and zero tillage

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Franzluebbers ◽  
M. A. Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Soil Exposure

Zero tillage management reduces soil exposure and disturbance and, therefore, may improve soil aggregation and organic matter sequestration under some environments. We determined the distribution and soil organic C (SOC) content of five water-stable aggregate (WSA) classes at depths of 0–50, 50–125 and 125–200 mm in a loam, a slit loam, a clay loam, and a clay soil managed for 4–16 yr under conventional shallow tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT) in the Peace River region of northern Alberta and British Columbia. Macroaggregation (> 0.25 mm and mean weight diameter (MWD) were greater under ZT than under CT in coarse-textured soils at a depth of 0–125 mm. Under CT, macroaggregation and MWD increased with increasing clay content, thereby reducing the potential of ZT to improve these properties in soils with high clay content. Concentration of SOC tended to be greatest in macroaggregates and lowest in microaggregates of coarse-textured soils, but was not different among WSA classes of fine-textured soils. Soil organic C content of macroaggregates under ZT was 0.34, 0.40, 0.62, and 0.16 kg m−2 greater than under CT at a depth of 0–200 mm in the loam, silt loam, clay loam and clay soil, respectively. Our results suggest that implementation of ZT in this cold semiarid climate can quickly improve WSA of coarse-textured soils and potentially increase SOC sequestration, albeit more slowly than in warmer more humid climates, when macroaggregation is improved. Key words: Aggregation, soil organic matter, soil texture, tillage

Management of sugarcane harvest residues: consequences for soil carbon and nitrogen

Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona A. Robertson ◽  
Peter J. Thorburn
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
C And N

The Australian sugar industry is moving away from the practice of burning the crop before harvest to a system of green cane trash blanketing (GCTB). Since the residues that would have been lost in the fire are returned to the soil, nutrients and organic matter may be accumulating under trash blanketing. There is a need to know if this is the case, to better manage fertiliser inputs and maintain soil fertility. The objective of this work was to determine whether conversion from a burning to a GCTB trash management system is likely to affect soil fertility in terms of C and N. Indicators of short- and long-term soil C and N cycling were measured in 5 field experiments in contrasting climatic conditions. The effects of GCTB varied among experiments. Experiments that had been running for 1–2 years (Harwood) showed no significant trash management effects. In experiments that had been running for 3–6 years (Mackay and Tully), soil organic C and total N were up to 21% greater under trash blanketing than under burning, to 0.10 or 0.25 m depth (most of this effect being in the top 50 mm). Soil microbial activity (CO2 production) and soil microbial biomass also increased under GCTB, presumably as a consequence of the improved C availability. Most of the trash C was respired by the microbial biomass and lost from the system as CO2. The stimulation of microbial activity in these relatively short-term GCTB systems was not accompanied by increased net mineralisation of soil N, probably because of the greatly increased net immobilisation of N. It was calculated that, with standard fertiliser applications, the entire trash blanket could be decomposed without compromising the supply of N to the crop. Calculations of possible long-term effects of converting from a burnt to a GCTB production system suggested that, at the sites studied, soil organic C could increase by 8–15%, total soil N could increase by 9–24%, and inorganic soil N could increase by 37 kg/ha.year, and that it would take 20–30 years for the soils to approach this new equilibrium. The results suggest that fertiliser N application should not be reduced in the first 6 years after adoption of GCTB, but small reductions may be possible in the longer term (>15 years).

Free light fraction carbon and nitrogen, a physically uncomplexed soil organic matter distribution within subtropical grass and leucaena–grass pastures

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 820 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Conrad ◽  
R. C. Dalal ◽  
D. E. Allen ◽  
R. Fujinuma ◽  
Neal W. Menzies
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Total N ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

Quantifying the size and turnover of physically uncomplexed soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial for the understanding of nutrient cycling and storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the C and nitrogen (N) dynamics of SOM fractions in leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala)–grass pastures remains unclear. We assessed the potential of leucaena to sequester labile, free light fraction (fLF) C and N in soil by estimating the origin, quantity and vertical distribution of physically unprotected SOM. The soil from a chronosequence of seasonally grazed leucaena stands (0–40 years) was sampled to a depth of 0.2m and soil and fLF were analysed for organic C, N and δ13C and δ15N. On average, the fLF formed 20% of SOC and 14% of total N stocks in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows and showed a peak of fLF-C and fLF-N stocks in the 22-year-stand. The fLF δ13C and fLF δ15N values indicated that leucaena produced 37% of fLF-C and 28% of fLF-N in the upper 0.1m of soil from leucaena rows. Irrespective of pasture type or soil depth, the majority of fLF-C originated from the accompanying C4 pasture-grass species. This study suggests that fLF-C and fLF-N, the labile SOM, can form a significant portion of total SOM, especially in leucaena–grass pastures.

Simulation of soil carbon dynamics in Australia with {\sc Roth C}

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Viscarra Rossel ◽  
Juhwan Lee ◽  
Mingxi Zhang ◽  
Zhongkui Luo ◽  
YingPing Wang
Keyword(s):  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
C Decomposition ◽  
Soil Measurements

<p>We simulated soil organic carbon (C) dynamics across Australia with the Rothamsted carbon model ({\sc Roth C}) by connecting new spatially-explicit soil measurements and data with the model. This helped us to bridge the disconnection that exists between datasets used to inform the model and the processes that it depicts. We compiled publicly available continental-scale datasets and pre-processed, standardised and configured them to the required spatial and temporal resolutions. We then calibrated {\sc Roth C} and run simulations to estimate the baseline soil organic C stocks and composition in the 0--0.3~m layer at 4,043 sites in cropping, modified grazing, native grazing, and natural environments across Australia. We used data on the C fractions, the particulate, mineral associated, and resistant organic C (POC, MAOC and ROC, respectively) to represent the three main C pools in the {\sc Roth C} model's structure.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>The model explained 97--98\% of the variation in measured total organic C in soils under cropping and grazing, and 65\% in soils under natural environments. We optimised the model at each site and experimented with different amounts of C inputs to simulate the potential for C accumulation under constant and chainging climate in a 100-year simulation. Soils under native grazing were the most potentially vulnerable to C decomposition and loss, while soils under natural environments were the least vulnerable. An empirical assessment of the controls on the C change showed that climate, pH, total N, the C:N ratio, and cropping were the most important controls on POC change. Clay content and climate were dominant controls on MAOC change. Consistent and explicit soil organic C simulations improve confidence in the model's estimations, contributing to the development of sustainable soil management under global change.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>

Simulation of soil organic carbon and nitrogen changes in cereal and pasture systems of southern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Carter ◽  
WJ Parton ◽  
IC Rowland ◽  
JE Schultz ◽  
GR Steed
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C

Maintenance and improvement of soil organic matter levels is an important concern in dryland farming systems of temperate regions. The Century soil organic matter model was used to simulate changes in soil organic C and total N under long-term wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pasture rotations at five sites in southern Australia. Average declines in soil organic C and total N of 14 and 10%, respectively, in continuous and wheat-fallow systems over a 10 to 20 year period were closely simulated by the model at each site. Additions of N fertilizer (80 kg N ha-1), which prevented soil organic matter decline in continuous wheat systems, was also well represented by the model. Trends in soil organic matter under long-term legume pasture were not adequately simulated by the model, probably due to the 'annual' nature of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean L.) in dry seasons and subsequent changes in the ratio of live to dead plant biomass and shoot to root ratios. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of adequate total plant C production to prevent a decline in soil organic C.

scholarly journals Simulation of soil carbon dynamics in Australia under a framework that better connects spatially explicit data with Rᴏᴛʜ C

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhwan Lee ◽  
Raphael A. Viscarra Rossel ◽  
Zhongkui Luo ◽  
Ying Ping Wang
Keyword(s):  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
C Stocks

Abstract. We simulated soil organic carbon (C) dynamics across Australia with the Rothamsted carbon model (Rᴏᴛʜ C) under a framework that connects new spatially-explicit soil measurements and data with the model. Doing so helped to bridge the disconnection that exists between datasets used to inform the model and the processes that it depicts. Under this framework, we compiled continental-scale datasets and pre-processed, standardised and configured them to the required spatial and temporal resolutions. We then calibrated Rᴏᴛʜ C and run simulations to predict the baseline soil organic C stocks and composition in the 0–0.3 m layer at 4,043 sites in cropping, modified grazing, native grazing, and natural environments across Australia. The Rᴏᴛʜ C model uses measured C fractions, the particulate, humus, and resistant organic C (POC, HOC and ROC, respectively) to represent the three main C pools in its structure. The model explained 97–98 % of the variation in measured total organic C in soils under cropping and grazing, and 65 % in soils under natural environments. We optimised the model at each site and experimented with different amounts of C inputs to predict the potential for C accumulation in a 100-year simulation. With an annual increase of 1 Mg C ha−1 in C inputs, the model predicted a potential soil C increase of 13.58 (interquartile range 12.19–15.80), 14.21 (12.38–16.03), and 15.57 (12.07–17.82) Mg C ha−1 under cropping, modified grazing and native grazing, and 3.52 (3.15–4.09) Mg C ha−1 under natural environments. Soils under native grazing were the most potentially vulnerable to C decomposition and loss, while soils under natural environments were the least vulnerable. An empirical assessment of the controls on the C change showed that climate, pH, total N, the C:N ratio, and cropping were the most important controls on POC change. Clay content and climate were dominant controls on HOC change. Consistent and explicit soil organic C simulations improve confidence in the model's predictions, contributing to the development of sustainable soil management under global change.

Effect of crop rotations and cultural practices on soil organic matter, microbial biomass and respiration in a thin Black Chernozem

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
G. P. Lafond
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

The effects of crop rotations and various cultural practices on soil organic matter quantity and quality in a Rego, Black Chernozem with a thin A horizon were determined in a long-term study at Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Variables examined included: fertilization, cropping frequency, green manuring, and inclusion of grass-legume hay crop in predominantly spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems. Generally, fertilizer increased soil organic C and microbial biomass in continuous wheat cropping but not in fallow-wheat or fallow-wheat-wheat rotations. Soil organic C, C mineralization (respiration) and microbial biomass C and N increased (especially in the 7.5- to 15-cm depth) with increasing frequency of cropping and with the inclusion of legumes as green manure or hay crop in the rotation. The influence of treatments on soil microbial biomass C (BC) was less pronounced than on microbial biomass N. Carbon mineralization was a good index for delineating treatment effects. Analysis of the microbial biomass C/N ratio indicated that the microbial suite may have been modified by the treatments that increased soil organic matter significantly. The treatments had no effect on specific respiratory activity (CO2-C/BC). However, it appeared that the microbial activity, in terms of respiration, was greater for systems with smaller microbial biomass. Changes in amount and quality of the soil organic matter were associated with estimated amount and C and N content of plant residues returned to the soil. Key words: Specific respiratory activity, crop residues, soil quality, crop rotations

scholarly journals ANALISIS PERUBAHAN CADANGAN HARA PADA BERBAGAI PENGGUNAAN LAHAN DAN KELERENGAN DI DAS MIKRO KALI KUNGKUK, KOTA BATU

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Refki Aulia Wiwaha ◽  
Syahrul Kurniawan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Forest Conversion ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N

The Kali Kungkuk micro watershed which is located in the upper area of Brantas watershed, had experienced forest conversion to horticulture during the last fourth decades. Since the physiographic of Kali Kungkuk micro watershed is hilly, forest conversion to horticulture may result in soil nutrient stock changes. The research aimed to analyze soil nutrient stock from forest to horticulture land uses (i.e. apple orchard and vegetables) in the Kali Kungkuk micro watershed. The field research was conducted on three different land uses (i.e. vegetable land (PK), apple orchard (PA), and forest (PH)) and four land slope classes (i.e. slope 0-8% (K1), 8-15% (K2), 15-25% (K3), and > 25% (K4)), with three, replicates plots of each. Soil samples were collected at three different depths (0-10, 10-30, and 30- 50 cm) from each plot. The parameters measured included soil texture, bulk density, standing litter mass, canopy cover, basal area, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. Data analysis was conducted with Linear Mixed Effect Models with a level of 5% and a further analysis of LSD test level of 5% as well as a correlation test between observational parameters. The results showed that differences in land use and slope affected to significant differences in the content of soil organic C and total N. In general, forests had higher soil C and N stocks as compared to other land uses (i.e. apple orchard and vegetables). Furthermore, soil organic C and total N was higher in the low slopes (i.e. 0-8%) and (8-15%) as compared to the high slopes (i.e. 15-25%) and (> 25%). The study found a positive correlation between soil nutrient stocks (i.e. C and N) and clay content. In contrast, soil C and N stock was negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Soil fertility degradation that occurs in the Kali Kungkuk micro watershed (i.e. apple orchard and vegetables) requires serious attention in soil management in order to ensure the sustainability of apple and vegetable production.

scholarly journals Changes in the stocks of C and N in organic matter fractions in soil cropped with coffee and fertilized with sunn hemp and ammonium sulfate

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 999
Author(s):  
Wander Douglas Pereira ◽  
Fábio Lúcio Martins Neto ◽  
Ricardo Henrique Silva Santos ◽  
Teógenes Senna de Oliveira ◽  
Segundo Sacramento Urquiaga Caballero
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Green Manuring ◽  
Time Zero ◽  
Sunn Hemp ◽  
C And N ◽  
Over Time

Despite the potential to provide N to crops, the rapid incorporation of green manure nutrients into stable fractions of organic matter in the soil (SOM) may reduce the efficiency of green manuring. Thus, the objective of this work was to characterize the changes of C and N stocks in fractions of SOM cultivated with coffee (Coffea arabica L.) and fertilized with sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and ammonium sulfate. To study the changes in organic C (OC) and total N (TN) in soil and fractions of SOM over time, soil samples were collected in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers, with the initial sampling done prior to the application of sunn hemp residues and ammonium sulfate. Five samples were collected every 2 months after the application of the legume and ammonium sulfate. The soil samples were submitted to densimetric and granulometric fractionation, obtaining the free light organic matter (F-LOM), particulate organic matter (POM), and organic matter associated with minerals (MAM). OC and TN stocks were then determined in soil and the SOM fractions. The changes in the stocks of OC (?StcC) in the soil in relation to time zero were positive in the evaluations carried out in the two layers. The fractions of SOM showed positive ?StcC at almost all of the evaluated times. The N supplied to the soil in the form of mineral and organic fertilizer promoted an increase of 0.24 Mg ha-1 of N in the 0–5 cm layer until after 60 days. Of this total, 0.03 Mg ha-1 was associated with F-LOM, 0.07 Mg ha-1 with POM, and the remainder was associated with MAM. Nearly 60% of the N that was supplied to the soil was drawn to the stable fractions of the SOM, indicating a rapid stabilization of this nutrient in the most recalcitrant organic compartments. Despite that, the variations in N stocks of MAM became smaller over time, and eventually became negative, in relation to time zero. This indicates the mineralization of N of this compartment. In the 5–10 cm layer, no effect of time was observed in the soil TN, N-POM, or N-MAM stocks. Additionally, under the conditions of this experiment, the majority of the N supplied to the soil was rapidly incorporated into the most stable fraction of SOM, and this might can reduced the efficiency of the green manuring.

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