Altering soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in intensively tilled two-year rotations

Information is needed on the ability of different crop management factors to maintain or increase soil C and N pools, especially in intensively tilled short crop rotations. Soil samples from field experiments in Maine were used to assess the effect of cover crop, green manure (GM) crop, and intermittent or annual amendment on soil C and N pools. These field experiments, of 6–13 years duration, were all characterized by a 2-year rotation with either sweet corn ( Zea mays L.) or potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), and primary tillage each year. Total, particulate organic matter (POM), and soil microbial biomass (SMB)-C and -N pools were assessed for each experiment. Total C and N stocks were not affected by red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) cover crop or legume GM, but were increased by 25–53% via a single application of papermill sludge or an annual manure and/or compost amendment. With the exception of continuous potato production which dramatically reduced the SMB-C and SMB-N concentration, SMB-C and -N were minimally affected by changes in cropping sequence, but were quite sensitive to amendments, even those that were primarily C. POM-C and -N, associated with the coarse mineral fraction (53–2,000 µm), were more responsive to management factors compared to total C and N in soil. The change in soil C fractions was a linear function of increasing C supply, across all experiments and treatments. Within these intensively tilled, 2-year crop rotations, substantial C and N inputs from amendments are needed to significantly alter soil C and N pools, although cropping sequence changes can influence more labile pools responsible for nutrient cycling.     

Tillage choices affect biochemical properties in the soil profile

Intensive conventional farming and continuous use of land resources can lead to agro-ecosystem decline and increased releases of CO₂ to the atmosphere as soil organic matter (OM) decays. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of varying types and depths of tillage on microbial biomass, C content, and humification in the profile of a loamy-sandy soil in the Mugello valley, close to the Apennine Mountains, in Italy. Soil samples were collected to depths of 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm, in the ninth year following introduction of tillage practices. Highest content of all C forms examined (total, extractable and humified) was found at the 0–10 cm depth with minimum tillage (MT) and ripper subsoiling (RS) and at the 30–40 cm depth with conventional tillage (CT). Humified C decreased with depth in soils under MT and RS. None of the tillage systems showed any difference in total N and microbial biomass C in the upper depths, but concentrations were greater below 20 cm in soils subjected to CT, than other tillage systems. Crop production was similar in all tillage systems. Stratification and redistribution of nutrients were consistent with the well known effects of tillage reduction. Total organic C and its distribution in the profile depended on the tillage system employed. MT and RS can be regarded as excellent conservation tillage systems, because they also sequester C.     

Soil ecosystem engineering by the train millipede Parafontaria laminata in a Japanese larch forest

Periodic swarming by adult train millipedes Parafontaria laminata (Attems, 1909) occurs in central Japan on an 8-year cycle, and the emergence of new adults is highly predictable. Millipede biomass reaches a maximum and feeding habits change upon the emergence of adults. Larvae are geophagous while adults feed on both litter and soil. We hypothesized that the shift in the developmental stages of P. laminata influenced the carbon dynamics in the soil and conducted a field mesocosm experiment in a larch plantation forest over 2 years (1999 and 2000) using three developmental stages: sixth- and seventh-instar larvae and adults. By experimentally manipulating millipede density at four levels, we obtained the following results: larvae were geophagous, while adults consumed both litter and soil (mixed-feeding) and consequently showed stronger density effects on litter decomposition rates than larvae; adult activities in the high-density treatment increased soil microbial biomass but not at low adult densities or at the larval stages; and adults increased the carbon accumulation in soil layers especially at high densities due to their mixed-feeding on litter and soil. We determined that due to synchronized postembryonic development with high densities and changes in feeding habits, the train millipede periodically sequestered carbon in this forest.     

Long-term management impacts on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics of grazed bermudagrass pastures

Managed pastures have potential for C and N sequestration in addition to providing forage for livestock. Our objectives were to investigate changes in soil organic C (SOC) and soil organic N (SON) concentrations and mineralizable C and N in cattle (Bos indicus) grazed bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures up to 32 y after establishment. Management included low- and high-grazing intensity, fertilization, and winter overseeding with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and clover (Trifolium sp.). Soil (0-15 cm) was sampled 7, 15, 26, and 32 y after establishment of Coastal and common bermudagrass pastures. No significant differences in SOC or SON concentrations were observed between Coastal and common bermudagrass pastures. Grazing strategies played important roles in C and N sequestration, as high-grazing intensity resulted in a lower increase in SOC and SON concentrations over time compared to low-grazing intensity. Increases in SOC were observed up to 26 y, while increases in SON were observed up to 32 y after establishment of bermudagrass pastures. Soil organic C increased 67 and 39% from 7 to 26 y at low-grazing intensity for bermudagrass+ryegrass and bermudagrass+clover pastures, respectively. SOC and SON concentrations did not increase beyond 15 y after bermudagrass establishment at high-grazing intensity. An exception was the Coastal bermudagrass+ryegrass pastures, which exhibited higher SON at 32 y than at 7 y at both grazing intensities. By 32 y, SON increased 83 and 45% in Coastal bermudagrass+ryegrass pastures at low- and high-grazing intensity, respectively, compared to 7 y. The introduction of clover to pastures decreased SOC and SON relative to ryegrass at high- but not at low-grazing intensity. Potentially mineralizable C increased from 7 to 15 y, while mineralizable N increased from 7 to 32 y. Potentially mineralizable N was also greater for bermudagrass+clover than bermudagrass+ryegrass pastures. Long-term increases in SOC and SON concentrations suggest that managed and grazed pastures have strong potential for C and N sequestration.     

Carbon and nitrogen sequestration and soil aggregation under sorghum cropping sequences

Management practices, such as no tillage (NT) and intensive cropping, have potential to increase C and N sequestration in agricultural soils. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of conventional tillage (CT), NT, and cropping intensity on soil organic C (SOC) and N (SON) sequestration and on distribution within aggregate-size fractions in a central Texas soil after 20 years of treatment imposition. Tillage regime and cropping sequence significantly impacted both SOC and SON sequestration. At 0–5 cm, NT increased SOC storage compared to CT by 33% and 97% and SON storage by 25% and 117% for a sorghum/wheat/soybean (SWS) rotation and a continuous sorghum monoculture, respectively. Total SOC and SON storage at both 0–5 and 5–15 cm was greater for SWS than continuous sorghum regardless of tillage regime. The majority of SOC and SON storage at 0–5 cm was observed in 250-m to 2-mm aggregates, and at 5–15 cm, in the >2-mm and 250-m to 2-mm fractions. Averaged across cropping sequences at 0–5 cm, NT increased SOC storage compared to CT by 212%, 96%, 0%, and 31%, and SON storage by 122%, 92%, 0%, and 37% in >2-mm, 250-m to 2-mm, 53- to 250-m, and <53-m aggregate-size fractions. No tillage and increased cropping intensity improved soil fertility by increasing soil organic matter levels and potential nutrient supply to crops.     

垄作免耕对稻田垄埂土壤有机碳累积和作物产量的影响

依托稻田免耕长期定位试验,研究了垄作免耕对稻田垄埂土壤有机碳累积和作物产量的影响。研究主要涉及常规平作(中稻-冬水田,简称中稻)、常规平作(中稻-油菜,简称稻油)、垄作免耕(中稻)和垄作免耕(稻油)等4个耕作处理。针对垄作对田面微地形的影响,将垄作小区中所有垄埂当成一个整体,统计其土壤有机碳的累积指标,再与平作处理中同体积或同质量的表土层(对比土层)作比较。结果表明,在对比土层和小区垄埂体积相同时,垄作免耕(稻油)的垄埂土壤有机碳密度要显著高于2个常规平作处理中对比土层和垄作免耕(中稻)的垄埂(p0.05);在对比土层与小区垄埂质量相同时,各耕作处理的垄埂或对比土层中单位质量土壤的固碳量依次为:垄作免耕(稻油)常规平作(中稻)垄作免耕(中稻)常规平作(稻油),且处理间差异显著(p0.05)。这表明,针对垄埂和对比土层而言,垄作免耕(稻油)的土壤有机碳累积效应要优于垄作免耕(中稻)和常规平作处理。与传统的常规平作相比,垄作免耕的水稻增产效应明显,虽然其会导致油菜减产,但不影响水旱两季作物的经济总产出。总体而言,垄作免耕(稻油)是一种能兼顾环境和经济效益的稻田保护性耕作措施。     

Effects of potato–grain rotations on soil erosion, carbon dynamics and properties of rangeland sandy soils

The potential for wind erosion in South Central Colorado is greatest in the spring, especially after harvesting of crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) that leave small amounts of crop residue in the surface after harvest. Therefore it is important to implement best management practices that reduce potential wind erosion and that we understand how cropping systems are impacting soil erosion, carbon dynamics, and properties of rangeland sandy soils. We evaluate the effects of cropping systems on soil physical and chemical properties of rangeland sandy soils. The cropping system included a small grain–potato rotation. An uncultivated rangeland site and three fields that two decades ago were converted from rangeland into cultivated center-pivot-irrigation-sprinkler fields were also sampled. Plant and soil samples were collected in the rangeland area and the three adjacent cultivated sites. The soils at these sites were classified as a Gunbarrel loamy sand (Mixed, frigid Typic Psammaquent). We found that for the rangeland site, soil where brush species were growing exhibited C sequestration and increases in soil organic matter (SOM) while the bare soil areas of the rangeland are losing significant amounts of fine particles, nutrients and soil organic carbon (SOM-C) mainly due to wind erosion. When we compared the cultivated sites to the uncultivated rangeland, we found that the SOM-C and soil organic matter nitrogen (SOM-N) increased with increases in crop residue returned into the soils. Our results showed that even with potato crops, which are high intensity cultivated cropping systems, we can maintain the SOM-C with a rotation of two small grain crops (all residue incorporated) and one potato crop, or potentially increase the average SOM-C with a rotation of four small grain crops (all residue incorporated) and one potato crop. Erosion losses of fine silt and clay particles were reduced with the inclusion of small grains. Small grains have the potential to contribute to the conservation of SOM and/or sequester SOM-C and SOM-N for these rangeland systems that have very low C content and that are also losing C from their bare soils areas (40%). Cultivation of these rangelands using rotations with at least two small grain crops can reduce erosion and maintain SOM-C and increasing the number of small grain crops grown successfully in rotation above two will potentially contribute to C and N sequestration as SOM and to the sequestration of macro- and micro-nutrients.     

Effect of long-term conservation tillage on soil biochemical properties in Mediterranean Spanish areas

In semi-arid Mediterranean areas, studies of the performance of conservation tillage systems have largely demonstrated advantages in crop yield, soil water storage and soil protection against wind and water erosion. However, little attention has been given to interactions between soil biochemical properties under different tillage practices. Biochemical properties are useful tools to assess changes caused by different soil tillage systems in long-term field experiments. This study deals with the effect of long-term tillage practices (reduced tillage and no-tillage vs. traditional tillage) on soil chemical properties and microbial functions in three different sites of Spain (two of them located in the Northeast and one in the Southwest) under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. Soil biological status, as index of soil quality, was evaluated by measuring microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dehydrogenase (an oxidoreductase) and protease (a hydrolase) activities at three soil depths (0–5, 5–10 and 10–25 cm). In the three experimental areas, increases in soil organic matter content, MBC and enzymatic activities were found at the superficial layers of soil under conservation tillage (reduced tillage and no-tillage) in comparison with traditional tillage. Values of the stratification ratio of some biochemical properties were significantly correlated with yield production in Northeast sites.Conservation tillage has proven to be an effective strategy to improve soil quality and fertility in Mediterranean areas of Spain.     

腐殖酸-水铁矿复合物提升新整治耕地土壤有机碳的效应

通过室内培养试验,探究了秸秆(S)、生物质炭(B)、木本泥炭腐殖酸(HA)和木本泥炭腐殖酸-水铁矿复合物(HA-Fe)对新整治耕地红壤、滨海盐土和黄绵土有机碳的提升效应及其差异。结果表明：在整个培养期间,4种物料均显著提升了3种土壤的总有机碳含量,但培养100 d时,HA、B和HA-Fe处理的提升效果分别是S处理的3.1倍 ~ 4.3倍、3.1倍 ~ 3.8倍和3.0倍 ~ 4.0倍;在培养360 d时,HA、B和HA-Fe处理的提升效果分别是S处理的3.0倍 ~ 7.1倍、2.9倍 ~ 6.2倍和2.9倍 ~ 6.3倍。B和HA处理对土壤矿物结合态有机碳的提升效果则弱于S处理。相比于S、B和HA处理,HA-Fe处理同时具备大幅提升土壤总有机碳和矿物结合态碳的能力,然而其对土壤活性易氧化碳的提升效果远小于S处理。本研究结果揭示,木本泥炭腐殖酸-水铁矿复合物具有更良好的快速提升新整治耕地有机质的能力,但在实际应用中应当与易分解有机质配合施用以更全面地提升土壤活性和矿物结合态有机质。     

Carbon input belowground is the major C flux contributing to leaf litter mass loss: Evidences from a C labelled-leaf litter experiment

Partitioning of the quantities of C lost by leaf litter through decomposition into (i) CO₂ efflux to the atmosphere and (ii) C input to soil organic matter (SOM) is essential in order to develop a deeper understanding of the litter-soil biogeochemical continuum. However, this is a challenging task due to the occurrence of many different processes contributing to litter biomass loss. With the aim of quantifying different fluxes of C lost by leaf litter decomposition, a field experiment was performed at a short rotation coppice poplar plantation in central Italy. Populus nigra leaf litter, enriched in ¹³C (δ¹³C ∼ +160‰) was placed within collars to decompose in direct contact with the soil (δ¹³C ∼ −26‰) for 11 months. CO₂ efflux from within the collars and its isotopic composition were determined at monthly intervals. After 11 months, remaining litter and soil profiles (0-20 cm) were sampled and analysed for their total C and ¹³C content. Gas chromatography (GC), GC-mass spectrometry (MS) and GC-combustion-isotope ratio (GC/C/IRMS) were used to analyse phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) extracted from soil samples to identify the groups of soil micro-organisms that had incorporated litter-derived C and to determine the quantity of C incorporated by the soil microbial biomass (SMB). By the end of the experiment, the litter had lost about 80% of its original weight. The fraction of litter C lost as an input into the soil (67 ± 12% of the total C loss) was found to be twice as much as the fraction released as CO₂ to the atmosphere (30 ± 3%), thus demonstrating the importance of quantifying litter-derived C input to soils, in litter decomposition studies. The mean δ¹³C values of PLFAs in soil (δ¹³C = −12.5‰) showed sustained incorporation of litter-derived C after one year (7.8 ± 1.6% of total PLFA-C). Thus, through the application of stable ¹³C isotope analyses, we have quantified two major C fluxes contributing to litter decomposition, at macroscopic and microscopic levels.     

Dissolved and Soil Organic Carbon after Long‐Term Conventional and No‐Tillage Sorghum Cropping

Abstract

Distribution of dissolved (DOC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) with depth may indicate soil and crop‐management effects on subsurface soil C sequestration. The objectives of this study were to investigate impacts of conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), and cropping sequence on the depth distribution of DOC, SOC, and total nitrogen (N) for a silty clay loam soil after 20 years of continuous sorghum cropping. Conventional tillage consisted of disking, chiseling, ridging, and residue incorporation into soil, while residues remained on the soil surface for NT. Soil was sampled from six depth intervals ranging from 0 to 105 cm. Tillage effects on DOC and total N were primarily observed at 0–5 cm, whereas cropping sequence effects were observed to 55 cm. Soil organic carbon (C) was higher under NT than CT at 0–5 cm but higher under CT for subsurface soils. Dissolved organic C, SOC, and total N were 37, 36, and 66%, respectively, greater under NT than CT at 0–5 cm, and 171, 659, and 837% greater at 0–5 than 80–105 cm. The DOC decreased with each depth increment and averaged 18% higher under a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation than a continuous sorghum monoculture. Both SOC and total N were higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean than continuous sorghum from 0–55 cm. Conventional tillage increased SOC and DOC in subsurface soils for intensive crop rotations, indicating that assessment of C in subsurface soils may be important for determining effects of tillage practices and crop rotations on soil C sequestration.     

Manuring and rotation effects on soil organic carbon concentration for different aggregate size fractions on two soils in northeastern Ohio, USA

Soil carbon (C) sequestration is important to the mitigation of increasing atmospheric concentration of CO₂. This study was conducted to assess soil aggregation and C concentration under different management practices. The effects of crop rotation, manure application and tillage were investigated for 0–5 and 5–10 cm depths on two silt loam soils (fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aquic Fragiudalfs and fine-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Fragiadalf) in Geauga and Stark Counties, respectively, in northeastern Ohio, USA. Wet sieve analysis and gravity fractionation techniques were used to separate samples in aggregate and particle size groups, respectively. In the Stark County farms water stable aggregate (WSA) is higher in wooded (W) controls (WSA = 94.8%) than in cultivated soils with poultry manure (PM, 78.7%) and with chemical fertilizers (CF, 79.0%). Manure applications did not increase aggregation compared to unmanured soils. The C concentrations (%) within aggregates (C_agg) are higher in W than in cultivated soils (W = 5.82, PM = 2.11, CF = 1.96). Soil C (%) is enriched in the clay (W = 9.87, PM = 4.17, CF = 4.21) compared to silt (4.26, 1.04 and 0.98, respectively) and sand (0.93, 0.14 and 0.32, respectively) fractions. In the Geauga County farm, continuous corn (CC) with conventional tillage has lower WSA (83.1%) than soils with rotations (R) (93.9%), dairy manure (DM) application (93.2%) and no-till (NT) (91.1%). The C concentrations within macroaggregates (C_agg) were higher in W soils (4.84%) than in cultivated soils (ranging from 2.65 to 1.75%). The C (%) is enriched in clay (W = 8.56, CC = 4.18, R = 5.17, DM = 5.73, NT = 4.67) compared to silt (W = 2.35, CC = 0.90, R = 0.96, DM = 1.57, NT = 1.06) and sand (W = 0.44, CC = 0.33, R = 0.13, DM = 0.41, NT = 0.18). Cultivation decreased C concentration whereas reduced tillage, rotation and manure enhanced C concentration in soil.     

Depth distribution of soil organic C and N after long-term soybean cropping in Texas

Crop management practices have potential to enhance subsoil C and N sequestration in the southern U.S., but effects may vary with tillage regime and cropping sequence. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of tillage and soybean cropping sequence on the depth distribution of soil organic C (SOC), dissolved organic C (DOC), and total N after 20 years of treatment imposition for a silty clay loam soil in central Texas. A continuous soybean monoculture, a wheat–soybean doublecrop, and a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation were established under both conventional (CT) and no tillage (NT). Soil was sampled after soybean harvest and sectioned into 0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–55, 55–80, and 80–105 cm depth intervals. Both tillage and cropping intensity influenced C and N dynamics in surface and subsurface soils. No tillage increased SOC, DOC, and total N compared to CT to a 30 cm depth for continuous soybean, but to 55 cm depths for the more intensive sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation and wheat–soybean doublecrop. Averaged from 0 to 105 cm, NT increased SOC, DOC, and total N by 32, 22, and 34%, respectively, compared to CT. Intensive cropping increased SOC and total N at depths to 55 cm compared to continuous soybean, regardless of tillage regime. Continuous soybean had significantly lower SOC (5.3 g kg⁻¹) than sorghum–wheat–soybean (6.4 g kg⁻¹) and wheat–soybean (6.1 g kg⁻¹), and 19% lower total N than other cropping sequences. Dissolved organic C was also significantly higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean (139 mg C kg⁻¹) than wheat–soybean (92 mg C kg⁻¹) and continuous soybean (100 mg C kg⁻¹). The depth distribution of SOC, DOC, and total N indicated treatment effects below the maximum tillage depth (25 cm), suggesting that roots, or translocation of dissolved organic matter from surface soils, contributed to higher soil organic matter levels under NT than CT in subsurface soils. High-intensity cropping sequences, coupled with NT, resulted in the highest soil organic matter levels, demonstrating potential for C and N sequestration for subsurface soils in the southern U.S.