不同有机肥对稻田温室气体排放及产量的影响

为研究有机肥施入稻田对温室气体排放的影响,设置猪粪、鸡粪和稻草分别与化肥混施处理,利用静态箱法-气相色谱仪监测稻田甲烷(CH_4)和氧化亚氮(N_2O)排放通量并进行分析。研究结果表明,化肥处理(CF)CH_4季节排放为202.1、279.9和332.5 kg/hm~2,与猪粪(PM)无显性差异,明显低于鸡粪(CM)和稻草(RS)处理;CF处理N_2O排放总量最高,与有机肥处理无显著性差异;CH_4季节排放通量与土壤Eh值呈极显著负相关关系,与土壤温度呈极显著正相关关系;肥料中不同活性有机碳质量分数为18.4~114.5 g/kg,肥料中被167 mmol/L高锰酸钾氧化的有机碳(ROC167)与稻田CH_4排放总量呈显著正相关关系(相关系数为0.872,P0.05);施有机肥第三年水稻平均产量比CF处理增加14.3%(P0.05);不同有机肥中,以PM处理的增温潜势和温室气体排放强度最小,与不施肥和CF处理无显著性差异,猪粪的ROC167含量低,能较好的协调环境与产量之间关系,是值得推荐的有机肥种类。     

Potential for greenhouse gas emissions from soil carbon stock following biofuel cultivation on degraded lands

Consequent to the interest in converting degraded lands for cultivation of biofuel crops, concerns have been expressed about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from changes in soil‐carbon (C) stock following land conversions. A literature‐based study was undertaken for estimating the magnitude of emission of GHGs, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), following an assessment of the extent and causes of land degradation and the nature of CO₂ emission from soils. The study estimated the potential for CO₂ emission resulting from changes in soil‐carbon stock following land conversions, using oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as a case study. The analysis indicated that, overall, the magnitude of CO₂ emission resulting from changes in soil C stock per se following opening up of degraded land would be low compared with other potential sources of CO₂ emission. However, lack of data on critical aspects such as baseline soil C status was a limitation of the study. Soil respiration is the single best measure of GHG emission from soils. Fixation of C in additional biomass will compensate, over time, for C loss through soil respiration following a change in land use or land management, unless such changes involve conversion of existing large C stocks. Therefore, any net CO₂ emission from soils resulting from changes in soil C stock following opening up of degraded land is likely to be a short‐term phenomenon. The estimations used in the study are based on various assumptions, which need to be validated by experimental field data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Consequences of feasible future agricultural land‐use change on soil organic carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions in Great Britain

The aim of this study was to assess the consequences of feasible land‐use change in Great Britain on GHG emissions mainly through the gain or loss of soil organic carbon. We use estimates of per‐area changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, coupled with Great Britain (GB) county‐level scenarios of land‐use change based on historical land‐use patterns or feasible futures to estimate the impact of potential land‐use change between agricultural land‐uses. We consider transitions between cropland, temporary grassland (<5 yr under grass), permanent grass (>5 yr under grass) and forest. We show that reversion to historical land‐use patterns as present in 1930 could result in GHG emission reductions of up to ca. 11 Mt CO₂‐eq./yr (relative to a 2004 baseline), because of an increased permanent grassland area. By contrast, cultivation of 20% of the current (2004) permanent grassland area for crop production could result in GHG emission increases of up to ca. 14 Mt CO₂‐eq./yr. We conclude that whilst change between agricultural land‐uses (transitions between permanent and temporary grassland and cropland) in GB is likely to be a limited option for GHG mitigation, external factors such as agricultural product commodity markets could influence future land‐use. Such agricultural land‐use change in GB could have significant impacts on Land‐use, Land‐Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) emissions, with relatively small changes in land‐use (e.g. 5% plough out of grassland to cropland, or reversion of cropland to the grassland cover in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones of 1998) having an impact on GHG emissions of a similar order of magnitude as the current United Kingdom LULUCF sink. In terms of total UK GHG emissions, however, even the most extreme feasible land‐use change scenarios account for ca. 2% of current national GHG emissions.     

耕作、残茬及施肥管理对土壤有机质动态变化影响的情景分析

Based on data from 10-year field experiments on residue/fertilizer management in the dryland farming region of northern China, Century model was used to simulate the site-specific ecosystem dynamics through adjustment of the model＇s parameters, and the applicability of the model to propose soil organic carbon （SOC） management temporally and spatially, in cases such as of tillage/residue/fertilization management options, was identified v/a scenario analysis.Results between simulations and actual measurements were in close agreement when appropriate applications of stover,manure and inorganic fertilizer were combined. Simulations of extreme C/N ratios with added organic materials tended to underestimate the measured effects. Scenarios of changed tillage methods, residue practices and fertilization options showed potential to maintain and enhance SOC in the long run, while increasing inorganic N slowed down the SOC turnover rate but did not create a net C sink without any organic C input. The Century model simulation showed a good relationship between annual C inputs to the soil and the rate of C sequestration in the top 20 cm layer and provided quantitative estimations of changes in parameters crucial for sustainable land use and management. Conservation tillage practices for sustainable land use should be integrated with residue management and appreciable organic and inorganic fertilizer application, adapted according to the local residue resource, soil fertility and production conditions. At least 50% residue return into the soil was needed annually for maintenance of SOC balance, and manure amendment was important for enhancement of SOC in small crop-livestock systems in which crop residue land application was limited.     

Current trends of soil organic carbon in English arable soils

Abstract. A model of the impact of land management changes upon soil organic carbon (SOC) was constructed, and the total amount of topsoil organic carbon was estimated for the arable area of England from 1940 to 2000. The largest influence on the overall mean SOC in arable topsoils proved to be a decline in the area of both permanent and temporary grassland. SOC declined over a prolonged period (60 years), but has now reached a plateau. Modelling changes in mean values enabled a statistical evaluation to be made between a measured decline in the number of sites with 'high' SOC levels between 1980 and 1995, and the decline predicted by the model. The SOC content of arable soils in England was measured at National Soil Inventory sites twice in recent decades: in 1980 and 1995. The proportion of fine textured soils in the lowest SOC class (<2.3%) rose from just over 40% to about 50% over the same period. There was a significant difference between the observed values of 1995 and those expected from modelling the decline from 1980 values, in the category of 'low SOC' fine textured soils. The variation in the fine textured soils represents a significant and widespread decline in topsoil organic carbon concentrations, which was greater than the underlying long-term trend.     

Soil profile distribution of total C content and natural abundance of 13C in two volcanic soils subjected to crop residue burning versus crop residue retention

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a key role in crop productivity and soil quality. Conservation agriculture has a positive effect on SOC accumulation in the surface soil horizons, but little information is available regarding the effect of the removal of crop residues by burning. This study aimed to assess the impact of different types of crop residue management practices on the total C distribution and natural abundance of ¹³C (‰, δ¹³C). Two volcanic soils, located in the Mediterranean temperate zone of Southern Chile, were studied: an Ultisol (Collipulli Series, CPL) and an Andisol (Santa Bárbara Series, SBA). Both soils had been cultivated under direct-drilling and a typical annual crop rotation system for a long period of time. Two different types of crop residue management practices were imposed in both soils: (i) crop residue burning (CPL-B; SBA-B) and (ii) crop residue retention over the soil (CPL-R; SBA-R), corresponding to treatments B and R, respectively. Soil profile distribution of the C content and natural abundance of ¹³C were analysed for bulk soils (down to 100 cm depth) and three particle-size fractions of the soils (down to 20 cm of soil depth): (a) ≤ 53 µm, (b) 53-212 µm and (c) ≥ 212 µm. It was found that the effect of crop residue management can be observed in the variations of C content and δ¹³C in the soil profile in both volcanic soils. Crop residue burning (B treatment) increased the C content in bulk soil and the particle-size fractions. On the other hand, soil organic matter of crop residue retention (R treatment) showed higher natural abundance of ¹³C (δ¹³C) compared with residue burning (B treatment) in the two volcanic soils. R treatment enriched the particle-size fractions (except ≥ 212 µm fraction of CPL soil) with ¹³C. Factors that could account for these findings are also discussed here.     

Effect of straw biochar application on soil carbon,greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching: A vegetable crop rotation field experiment

Intensive vegetable crop systems are rapidly developing, with consequences for greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, nitrogen leaching and soil carbon. We undertook a field trial to explore the effect of biochar application (0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹) on these factors in lettuce, water spinach and ice plant rotation. Our results show that the 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹ soil treatments resulted in the SOC content being 26.3% and 29.8% higher than the control (0 t ha⁻¹), respectively, with significant differences among all treatments (p < .05). Biochar application caused N₂O emissions to decrease during the lettuce and water spinach seasons, by 1.5%–33.6% and 12.4%–40.5%, respectively, compared the control, with the 20 t ha⁻¹ application rate resulting in the lowest N₂O emissions. Biochar also decreased the dissolved nitrogen (DN) concentration in leachate by 9.8%–36.2%, following a 7.3%–19.9% reduction in dissolved nitrogen in the soil. Similarly, biochar decreased the nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations in leachate by 3.9%–30.2%, following a 3.8%–16.7% reduction in the soil nitrate level. Overall, straw biochar applied at rate of 20 t ha⁻¹ produced the lowest N₂O emissions and N leaching, while, increasing soil carbon.     

Assessing the effect of crop residue removal on soil organic carbon storage and microbial activity in a no‐till cropping system

Changes in agricultural management strategies have received much attention in recent years with a view to increasing or maintaining the amount of carbon (C) sequestered as soil organic C (SOC). In many parts of the world, minimum or no‐till management has been promoted as a means of improving soil quality, reducing losses of erosion and potentially increasing SOC stocks. However, no‐till systems can become problematic and potentially disease‐prone, especially due to high crop residue loadings. Consequently, residue removal either by harvesting or burning off may be employed to reduce these pressures. Here, we examined the effect of crop residue removal on C storage in soil that had been under no‐till management for 20 yr. We predicted improved physical properties (i.e. lower bulk density) and greater microbial activity under the residue retention soils due to greater readily available C and nutrients derived from crop residues. In contrast, we predicted relative reductions in SOC in the no residue soils due to a lack of available residue‐derived C for microbial use. Residue removal caused a relative C loss from the soil, which was related to C input, amount of nutrient availability and microbial activity. We demonstrate the importance of maintaining crop residue cover in no‐till cropping systems for soil function and highlight the potentially deleterious effects of changing management strategy to increased residue harvesting or removal by burning.     

中国农田秸秆还田土壤N_2O排放及其影响因素的Meta分析

农田N2O排放是全球人为温室气体主要的来源之一,了解农作措施对其排放的影响对中国农田减排具有重要的意义。该研究采用Meta分析方法,定量分析了秸秆还田对中国农田土壤N2O排放的影响,并对其影响因素进行解析。研究结果表明,在中国不同区域秸秆还田对土壤N2O排放有一定的差异,其中华东地区显著减排18.61%(P0.05),而华中和华北地区则分别显著增加排放62.3%和27.73%(P0.05)。同时,施氮量介于0~240 kg/hm2(以N计,下同)时,随着施氮量的增加,秸秆还田对土壤N2O影响的效应值逐渐由负值增加为正值;当施氮量介于241~300 kg/hm2时,秸秆还田有显著降低土壤N2O排放的趋势。当土壤p H值介于6.5~7.5时,秸秆还田对N2O排放影响的效应值为正值;当黏粒质量分数为15%~25%时,秸秆还田对N2O排放影响的效应值为正值,当黏粒质量分数15%时,秸秆还田显著降低土壤N2O排放。秸秆的碳氮比与秸秆还田量对N2O的排放也有不同程度的影响,另外,秸秆还田下不同的种植制度间N2O的排放也有差异。因此,秸秆还田下实施农田N2O减排措施应综合考虑区域农业资源特点、种植制度、土壤类型和水肥管理因素。研究可为科学管理秸秆与减少农田N2O排放提出理论支撑。     

温度和植物残体对紫色母岩发育的水稻土有机碳矿化的影响

培养试验研究了2种温度下紫色水稻土有机碳的矿化特征以及添加不同植物残体对其矿化的影响。结果表明, 62d的培养过程中,有机碳累积矿化量在28℃条件下为C 66.79 mg/g;40℃条件下为C 86.99 mg/g,差异达到极显著水平。用一级动力学方程对植物残体的矿化速率进行拟合表明,28℃条件下,植物残体的分解速率常数（k）为蚕豆秸秆玉米秸秆水稻秸秆,而40℃条件下则为水稻秸秆玉米秸秆蚕豆秸秆。温度状况和植物残体化学组分的差异影响了紫色水稻土中有机碳的动态变化,最终导致了碳累积矿化量的差异。     

Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from soil under silage production by use of organic manures or slow-release fertilizer

Abstract. Grassland is a major source of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions in the UK, resulting from high rates of fertilizer application. We studied the effects of substituting mineral fertilizer by organic manures and a slow-release fertilizer in silage grass production on greenhouse gas emissions and soil mineral N content in a three-year field experiment. The organic manures investigated were sewage sludge pellets and composted sewage sludge (dry materials), and digested sewage sludge and cattle slurry (liquid materials). The organic manures produced N₂O and carbon dioxide (CO₂) consistently from time of application up to harvest. However, they mitigated N₂O emissions by around 90% when aggregate emissions of 15.7 kg N ha⁻¹ from NPK fertilizer were caused by a flux of up to 4.9 kg N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ during the first 4 days after heavy rainfall subsequent to the NPK fertilizer application. CH₄ was emitted only for 2 or 3 days after application of the liquid manures. CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were not significantly mitigated. Composting and dried pellets were useful methods of conserving nutrients in organic wastes, enabling slow and sustained release of nitrogen. NPK slow-release fertilizer also maintained grass yields and was the most effective substitute for the conventional NPK fertilizer for mitigation of N₂O fluxes.     

冬季覆盖作物残茬还田对双季稻田土壤有机碳和碳库管理指数的影响

研究冬季不同覆盖作物残茬还田后稻田土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳含量和碳库管理指数的变化, 对合理利用冬闲稻田, 发展冬季覆盖作物, 以及科学评价不同种植模式具有重要意义。本研究以不同冬季覆盖作物-双季稻定位试验为研究对象, 采用田间小区试验方法, 分析了黑麦草-双季稻(T1)、紫云英-双季稻(T2)和油菜-双季稻(T3) 3种种植模式不同冬季覆盖作物残茬还田后对土壤耕层(0~20 cm)总有机碳、活性有机碳含量的影响, 并计算了各处理的碳库活度、碳库活度指数、碳库指数和碳库管理指数。结果表明, 与冬闲-双季稻(对照)相比, T1、T2和T3处理的冬季覆盖作物残茬还田均提高了稻田土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳含量, 其大小顺序均表现为T2>T1>T3>CK。其中, 各处理稻田土壤总有机碳含量均显著高于对照, 早稻收获时T1、T2和T3处理土壤总有机碳含量两年平均分别比对照增加6.73%、10.53%和4.79%, 晚稻收获时两年平均分别增加4.16%、6.20%和2.37%; T1和T2 处理土壤活性有机碳含量均显著高于对照, 早稻收获时两年平均分别比对照增加10.52%和21.52%, 晚稻收获时两年平均分别增加11.99%和15.59%。冬季覆盖作物残茬还田提高了土壤碳库活度、碳库活度指数、碳库指数和土壤碳库管理指数, 其大小顺序均表现为T2>T1>T3。总的来说, 各处理中以紫云英残茬还田的效果为最好, 黑麦草和油菜残茬还田的效果次之。     

Differences in CO2 and N2O emission rates following crop residue incorporation with or without field burning: A case study of adzuki bean residue and wheat straw

In the context of sustainable soil-quality management and mitigating global warming, the impacts of incorporating raw or field-burned adzuki bean (Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & Ohashi) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw residues on carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission rates from soil were assessed in an Andosol field in northern Japan. Losses of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in residue biomass during field burning were much greater from adzuki bean residue (98.6% of C and 98.1% of N) than from wheat straw (85.3% and 75.3%, respectively). Although we noted considerable inputs of carbon (499 ± 119 kg C ha^–1) and nitrogen (5.97 ± 0.76 kg N ha^–1) from burned wheat straw into the soil, neither CO₂ nor N₂O emission rates from soil (over 210 d) increased significantly after the incorporation of field-burned wheat straw. Thus, the field-burned wheat straw contained organic carbon fractions that were more resistant to decomposition in soil in comparison with the unburned wheat straw. Our results and previously reported rates of CO₂, methane (CH₄) and N₂O emission during wheat straw burning showed that CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions under raw residue incorporation were similar to or slightly higher than those under burned residue incorporation when emission rates were assessed during residue burning and after subsequent soil incorporation.     

长期施肥下新疆灰漠土有机碳及作物产量演变

为明确长期不同施肥下新疆灰漠土有机碳和作物产量演变特征,依托始于1990年的灰漠土肥力长期定位监测试验,选择对照(CK,不施肥)、施氮磷肥(NP)、氮磷钾平衡施肥(NPK)、氮磷钾配合常量有机肥(NPKM)、氮磷钾配合高量有机肥(h NPKM,有机肥施用量为NPKM的2倍)、氮磷钾配合秸秆还田(NPKS)6个处理,分析不同处理下土壤有机碳和小麦、玉米产量演变特征,探讨碳投入及有机碳与作物产量的关系。结果表明:1)长期耗竭种植(CK)、连续施用NP或NPK肥,灰漠土有机碳含量持续下降,年均下降速率分别为0.094 g·kg~(-1)、0.043 g·kg~(-1)和0.053 g·kg~(-1),表明施化肥(NP、NPK)不能维持土壤有机碳含量,不利于土壤肥力的保持。NPKM和h NPKM处理,土壤有机碳显著增加,年均增加0.360 g·kg~(-1)和0.575 g·kg~(-1),增施有机肥是快速提高灰漠土肥力的重要措施。秸秆还田处理(NKPS),土壤有机碳年均增幅0.006 g·kg~(-1),与NPK处理对比,秸秆还田虽没有大幅度提高土壤有机碳,但维持了土壤肥力。2)较CK,长期化肥有机肥配施(NPKM、h NPKM)显著增加了作物产量(P0.05)。与NP和NPK比较,长期化肥有机肥配施显著提高了小麦产量(P0.05),但玉米产量与施化肥处理差异不显著(P0.05),玉米产量以平衡施肥(NPK)的增幅最高,达到220 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)。小麦的产量变异系数(29.1%~43.9%)高于玉米产量变异(19.0%~32.7%)。化肥配合秸秆还田(NPKS)处理的小麦增产幅度与高量施用有机肥(h NPKM)处理接近,喻示了秸秆还田对作物增产的作用不可忽视。3)碳投入与土壤有机碳和小麦、玉米产量有显著线性正相关(P0.05)。基于以上分析,在干旱区灰漠土增加土壤碳投入(有机肥或秸秆)仍然是最基本的土壤培肥措施。     

农业管理措施对中国不同农业区域土壤有机碳平衡的差异性影响

Improving management of soil organic carbon （SOC） has been considered as a substantial mitigation strategy to climate change. Management such as stubble retention （SR）, conservation tillage （ZT）, and fertilization are recommended for both promoting production and accumulating SOC. However, whether such management practices can cause net increase in SOC or just a slow-down of SOC decline largely depends on the current status of SOC for a given region. This paper synthesized the available SOC data in the croplands of China, and analysed the change of SOC in the top 20 cm soil as a result of management change. The results showed that, on average, SOC increased by 18.3% through SR, by 9.1% through ZT, and by 12.4%, 36.9% and 41.5% through application of inorganic （IF）, organic （OF） and combined inorganic and organic fertilizers （IOF）, respectively, compared to those under stubble removal, conventional tillage and no fertilization. Under SR, ZT, IF, OF and IOF, SOC increased by 16.0%, 10.2%, 8.2%, 32.2% and 41.3%, respectively, at the end of the trials compared with the initial values at the start of the trials. Our analysis also showed that in Northeast and Northwest China, SOC in agricultural soils is still decreasing due to cultivation. In North and South China, however, SOC appears to have reached a new equilibrium of low SOC state after a long cultivation history, and soils have greater potential to sequester C. Our analysis highlights the need of taking account of the baseline status to assess the net soil C balance over time and space.     

秸秆还田模式对小麦-玉米轮作体系土壤有机碳固存的影响

为解决麦玉轮作体系小麦秸秆直接粉碎还田存在的弊端,基于多年麦玉秸秆还田定位试验,筛选高产-节本-地力提升为一体的还田模式。选择4种还田模式,即小麦玉米秸秆均不还田(WN-MN,CK1)、小麦玉米秸秆均粉碎还田(WC-MC,CK2)、小麦高留茬还田(WH-MN)和小麦高留茬-玉米粉碎还田(WH-MC)为研究对象,比较其产量表现、土壤有机碳贮量盈亏、碳库管理指数等指标,评价将小麦秸秆粉碎还田改成高留茬还田后形成的还田模式与两季秸秆均粉碎还田的优劣。结果表明,与WN-MN相比,WC-MC和WH-MC的土壤碳储量分别增加24.23%和16.05%;与试验开始前土壤有机碳储量相比,4种还田模式的土壤碳固持为–0.83~6.14 Mg·hm^–2;维持土壤初始碳储量水平的最小碳投入量为4.06 Mg·hm^–2·a^–1。各处理不稳定有机碳组分的含量随着土层加深呈下降趋势。与WN-MN相比,WC-MC、WH-MC和WH-MN显著增加了0~20 cm表层不稳定碳组分的含量;WC-MC和WH-MC也显著增加了各土层的碳库管理指数。2015—2016周年产量,WC-MC、WH-MC平均较其他两个处理分别增加了34.5%、20.1%;2016—2017周年产量,以WH-MC最高,较其他处理平均高出11.1%。小麦高留茬-玉米粉碎还田模式下土壤有机碳储量、不稳定有机碳组分、碳库管理指数和作物产量均较高,且节本增效,表明该模式有利于关中平原麦玉轮作体系粮食生产可持续发展。     

Influence of soil properties and land use on organic carbon storage in agricultural soils near hedges

In this context of climate change, agroforestry systems are acknowledged to have a good potential to increase carbon storage in agricultural areas. However, the carbon storage potential of agroforestry systems still needs to be quantified accurately, especially for hedges. The objectives of this study were to (1) add references to the existing literature on the potential for soil organic carbon (SOC) storage near hedges and (2) identify the main factors that influence the variability in this potential. To this end, we sampled soil in the adjacent fields of 25 hedges in France with mixed crop-livestock agriculture, with sampling on both sides for 20 hedges and sampling on only one side for five hedges, giving a total of 45 study sites. We measured SOC stocks to a depth of 90 cm at distances of 1, 2, 3 and 10 m from the hedge. The results showed that hedges have a strong potential to store carbon in soils, with a mean increase of 15% in SOC stock within 3 m of the hedge. This increase in SOC stock had high variability because of site characteristics. Additional SOC stocks were the largest in rotations of annual crops and grasslands with a permanent grass strip 1 m wide near the hedge, followed by rotations of annual crops, permanent grasslands and rotations of annual crops and grasslands. Large additional SOC stocks because of the hedge were also associated with soils that had a high C:N ratio. The contribution of this type of land management to soil carbon storage thus depends on the local context in which it is implemented.     

Long term crop management effects on soil organic carbon,structure, and water retention in a cropland soil in central Ohio,USA

The objective of this study was to determine 13‐year management effects on soil properties between a corn–soybean (Zea mays–Glycine max) cropping system (CSRS) and vegetable production systems (VPS) on a soil in central Ohio. Three treatments included in the VPS were: (1) addition of wood chips, (2) permanent raised beds (PRB) with black polyethylene film (20 μm thick), and (3) bare soil surface (BSS). Additionally, (4) animal manure was applied in all CSRS and VPS treatments except for the wood chips (WCP) added plot in the VPS. Research data from the study show that relatively more soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in the 0–20 cm soil depth of the BSS treatment (100.6 Mg ha^?1) was primarily due to differences in the type of soil amendments applied. For example, composted poultry manure was applied in the BSS and PRB plots, compared with input of fresh dairy manure mixed with straw being applied in the CSRS. Furthermore, soil management practices that aided in avoiding or reducing soil compaction (i.e., PRB or application of WCP in the surface) resulted in the overall improvement in soil structure and water retention, compared with that under chisel and disc ploughing done in the CSRS. The highest plant available water capacity (1.79 cm) was observed in the CSRS compared with 0.97 cm under BSS and PRB plots. These trends suggest that the type and amount of animal manure is critical to increasing SOC stocks in intensively cultivated VPS and CSRS in central Ohio, while also improving soil structure and water retention.     

Effects of reduced tillage,crop residue management and manure application practices on crop yields and soil carbon sequestration on an Andisol in northern Japan

Abstract

Soil carbon sequestration in agricultural lands has been deemed a sustainable option to mitigate rising atmospheric CO₂ levels. In this context, the effects of different tillage and C input management (residue management and manure application) practices on crop yields, residue C and annual changes in total soil organic C (SOC) (0–30 cm depth) were investigated over one cycle of a 4-year crop rotation (2003–2006) on a cropped Andisol in northern Japan. For tillage practices, the effects of reduced tillage (no deep plowing, a single shallow harrowing for seedbed preparation [RT]) and conventional deep moldboard plow tillage (CT) were compared. The combination of RT, residue return and manure application (20 Mg ha^?1 in each year) increased spring wheat and potato yields significantly; however, soybean and sugar beet yields were not influenced by tillage practices. For all crops studied, manure application enhanced the production of above-ground residue C. Thus, manure application served not only as a direct input of C to the soil, but the greater crop biomass production engendered enhanced subsequent C inputs to the soil from residues. The SOC contents in both the 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm layers of the soil profile were greater under RT than under CT treatments because the crop residue and manure were densely incorporated into the shallow soil layers. Comparatively, neither tillage nor C input management practices had significant effects on annual changes in SOC content in either the 10–20 cm or 20–30 cm layers of the soil profile. When soil C sequestration rates, as represented by annual changes in total SOC (0–30 cm), were assessed on a total soil mass basis, an anova showed that tillage practices had no significant effect on total C sequestration, but C input management practices had significant positive effects (P ≤ 0.05). These results indicate that continuous C input to the soil through crop residue return and manure application is a crucial practice for enhancing crop yields and soil C sequestration in the Andisol region of northern Japan.