耕作措施对双季稻田土壤碳及有机碳储量的影响

针对不同耕作措施对双季稻田的固碳效应和固碳潜力问题,选择湖南省宁乡县的双季稻区试验点进行了有机碳、活性有机碳以及耕层有机碳储量的研究,以期为制定适合于稻田条件下的合理耕作方式提供理论依据。结果表明,耕作措施和秸秆还田对有机碳（SOC）和活性有机碳（AOC）含量均产生不同程度的影响。免耕处理下,有机碳和活性有机碳含量皆随土壤深度的增加而减少,土壤0～5cm的SOC和AOC的含量最高,且与其他层次达到显著性差异水平（P＆lt;0.05）,具有明显的表层富集现象。与免耕相比,旋耕和翻耕则更利于5～10cm和10～20cm土层的有机碳和活性有机碳的积累。比较秸秆还田对SOC和AOC的影响表明,秸秆还田有效地提高了0～10cm有机碳含量,但对10～20cm并未产生显著影响,秸秆的输入并未增加土壤活性有机碳的含量。采用等质量方法计算了耕层土壤有机碳储量,结果显示旋耕秸秆还田使有机碳储量明显增加,而免耕只增加了土壤0～5cm和5～10cm土层有机碳储量,10～20cm有机碳储量有所降低,但耕作措施对有机碳储量的长效作用还有待于进一步研究。     

土壤颗粒有机碳和矿质结合有机碳对4种耕作措施的响应

以陕西关中平原中部耕作定位试验为研究对象,研究深松、旋耕、免耕和统耕作4种耕作方式在秸秆还田和不还田条件下对土壤颗粒有机碳和矿质结合态有机碳的影响。结果表明,相对于传统耕作,深松、旋耕和免耕处理都使土壤颗粒碳(POC)含量增加,但在秸秆还田下相应增加幅度更大,在0-10cm土层颗粒碳增加20.71%～69.25%,表现出深松>旋耕>免耕>传统耕作的顺序,而对其他10-20cm,20-30cm,30-40cm土层的颗粒碳影响较小。在同一种耕作模式下,秸秆还田的与无秸秆还田的相比,深松、旋耕、传统耕作使土壤POC增加了9.17%～26.61%,其中以传统耕作措施的提高幅度最大。在秸秆不还田条件下,各耕作处理矿质结合态有机碳的差异较小,但在秸秆还田条件下,旋耕促进了土壤矿质结合态有机碳(MOC)的增加,比对照(传统耕作)提高了22.98%。从土壤有机碳的角度考虑,深松和旋耕并结合秸秆还田是较适合于当地土壤条件的耕作模式。     

保护性耕作对土壤有机碳组分的影响

为了探讨土壤有机碳及活性有机碳组分对不同耕作措施的响应,在黄土高原半干旱区的定西市李家堡镇进行了长期田间定位试验,采用免耕、秸秆覆盖及小麦和豌豆轮作等保护性耕作措施,对0-5 cm,5-10 cm,10-30cm 3层土壤的有机碳(SOC)、易氧化有机碳(ROC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)的动态进行了系统的研究,结果表明,与传统耕作相比,保护性耕作的3个处理均能不同程度地提高两种轮作次序下SOC,ROC,MBC的含量,这说明保护性耕作有利于碳的固定和生态农业的健康发展,其中免耕和秸秆覆盖两部分结合效果最佳.同时,各处理土层的含碳量均随土壤深度的增加而降低.相关分析表明,ROC,MBC,ROC/SOC,MBC/SOC对不同耕作措施产生的响应与SOC基本一致,它们可以作为对土壤SOC影响的评价指标,与SOC的相关系数大小排序依次为MBCROCMBC/SOCROC/SOC,在表征土壤有机碳变化上它们比SOC更敏感,其灵敏度排序为MBCROC/SOCMBC/SOCROC,因此,在ROC,MBC,ROC/SOC,MBC/SOC等指标中,MBC更要值得重视和采用.     

土壤活性有机碳不同组分对保护性耕作的响应

为分析保护性耕作措施对旱作农田土壤活性有机碳的影响以及对土壤有机碳的敏感响应指标进行归纳总结,探讨适合西南丘陵区紫色土农田生态系统在保护性耕作下的有机碳分组方法和活性碳有效指标提供科学依据,进而为土壤固碳减排、提高土壤质量奠定理论基础。在重庆北碚西南大学试验农场对平作(traditional tillage,T)、垄作(ridge tillage,R)、平作+秸秆覆盖(traditional tillage+straw mulching,TS)和垄作+秸秆覆盖(ridge tillage+straw mulching,RS)4种处理下、西南紫色土丘陵区"旱三熟"种植模式下的土壤总有机碳(Total soil organic carbon,TOC)、颗粒有机碳(Particulate organic carbon,POC)、水溶性有机碳(Dissolved organic carbon,DOC)、易氧化有机碳(Readily oxidized organic carbon,ROC)、可矿化有机碳(Mineralized organic carbon,MOC)以及微生物量有机碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)进行了测定和分析。结果表明,秸秆覆盖不仅增加了表层土壤的TOC,也有利于20cm以上的耕层TOC的增加,而垄作对TOC的影响很小。秸秆覆盖处理下各土层POC均显著高于传统耕作,而单纯的垄作处理对5cm以下土层的POC没有影响,却显著地降低了0-5cm土层POC含量。DOC含量随土层的加深逐渐降低,且不同处理的差异主要出现在表层0-5cm土壤中,5cm以下土壤的DOC含量不易受到耕作措施的影响。TS、RS与对照相比均显著提高0-5cm土层的ROC含量,R与T之间差异不显著,秸秆覆盖只对土壤表层ROC影响很大。T、R、TS、RS处理全年日均土壤呼吸分别为1.84,1.65,2.22,2.21μmol/(m2·s),年土壤呼吸总量分别为696.31,624.41,840.12,836.33g/m2。与对照相比,垄作对土壤呼吸的影响不大,秸秆覆盖加速了土壤呼吸速率。秸秆覆盖处理显著提高了MBC含量,而垄作处理的影响不大。MBC与土壤呼吸速率呈显著正相关,R2介于0.756~0.919之间,P0.05。通过对土壤总有机碳及各组分之间的相关分析分析结果显示,TOC、POC、DOC和ROC在0-5cm土层表现显著的正相关,其他土层没有明显的规律。TOC、POC、DOC、ROC和MBC对耕作措施的响应变化基本一致,表现为对垄作处理的响应不显著,而受秸秆覆盖的影响很大,其中颗粒有机碳占总有机碳的35.74%~49.66%,二者显著正相关,可以作为反映土壤有机碳变化的敏感指标。     

不同耕作措施对甘肃引黄灌区耕地土壤有机碳的影响

为了探明不同耕作措施对甘肃引黄灌区耕地土壤有机碳的影响,2014-2017年在连续翻耕8a的玉米地上设置翻耕(CT)、旋耕(RT)、深松(ST)、免耕(NT)4个单一耕作处理和翻耕-免耕(CT-NT)、深松-免耕(ST-NT)2个轮耕处理开展了研究。结果表明,连续免耕(NT)显著增加了0～40cm土层有机碳含量和有机碳储量(P0.05),平均比CT增加4.45%和5.27%,比RT增加7.23%和8.50%;连续深松(ST)也有较好的固碳效果,在4个单一耕作措施中仅次于NT;连续翻耕(CT)和旋耕(RT)显著降低了土壤有机碳含量和有机碳储量(P0.05),RT的降低幅度大于CT。CT-NT和ST-NT2个轮耕处理既有较好的固碳效果,又符合当地农民操作习惯,有机碳含量分别比CT增加2.44%和4.82%,比RT增加5.12%和7.55%;有机碳储量比CT增加2.50%和5.47%,比RT增加5.64%和8.70%。不同耕作制度会使土壤有机碳发生层化,但有机碳含量的层化更多表现在不同土层之间,相同层次各处理之间变化不大;而有机碳储量只在耕层以下发生了层化,相同土层各处理之间也表现出比较明显的层化特征。因此,综合分析认为,任何一个单一耕作措施都有其局限性,CT-NT和ST-NT是比较理想的耕作模式,在该区域农业可持续发展中具有一定的应用价值。     

不同保护性耕作措施对麦-豆轮作土壤有机碳库的影响

通过设置在甘肃省定西市李家堡镇的不同保护性耕作试验,对春小麦、豌豆两种轮作次序下的土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳、微生物量碳含量进行了测定,并计算了各处理土壤碳库管理指数.结果表明:经过5年的轮作后,与传统耕作相比,两种轮作次序下免耕秸秆覆盖和传统耕作结合秸秆还田处理均能不同程度地提高土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳、微生物量碳含量及土壤碳库管理指数,而免耕不覆盖处理除在0～5 cm提高了土壤有机碳库管理指数外,其他各层次均降低了土壤有机碳库管理指数,说明仅依靠免耕而不结合秸秆覆盖或还田对于土壤有机碳库的管理来讲是不可持续的.     

长期施肥对稻田土壤活性有机碳和氮的影响

土壤活性有机碳、氮是土壤有机碳、氮中最活跃的组分,在土壤碳、氮循环过程中具有重要作用。以湖南3个长期定位试验点（桃源、宁乡、桃江）为研究对象,分析测定表层土壤MBC、MBN、DOC、DON,研究长期施肥对土壤活性有机碳、氮（MBC＋DOC,MBN＋DON）的影响。结果表明,长期施用化肥及配施有机肥均能提高土壤活性有机碳、氮的含量。与对应的无肥处理（CK）相比,长期单施化肥（NPK）使土壤活性有机碳、氮的提高幅度分别为3.3%~21.0%和3.3%~27.1%,长期有机肥施用提高幅度分别为48.7%~84.8%和17.9%~105.8%,且土壤活性有机碳、氮含量随有机肥施用量的提高而增加,3个试验点活性有机碳大小顺序为桃源〉宁乡〉桃江。土壤活性有机碳与土壤有机碳（SOC）的累积速率呈显著正相关关系（P〈0.05）,而与SOC的含量关系不大。桃源土壤粘粒含量较高可能是土壤SOC累积速率快的主要原因;宁乡和桃江的粘粒含量和有机碳投入量相差不大,桃江较高的初始SOC水平影响了SOC积累速率;桃源和宁乡试验点的土壤活性氮含量相差不大,约是桃江的1.8倍。与土壤全氮（TN）相比,全氮的积累速率与土壤活性氮的关系更为密切,两者间有极显著的相关关系（P〈0.01）。     

不同耕作措施对旱地土壤有机碳转化的影响

通过田间定位试验探讨了黄土高原旱地不同耕作措施下土壤有机碳的存在形式、转化过程以及有机碳各组分之间的关系。结果表明，免耕可以增加土壤有机碳含量，作物秸秆的保留与否主要影响土壤全碳（TOC）的变化。免耕秸秆覆盖（NTS）极显著提高了表层TOC含量，在干旱半干旱地区秸秆还田17个月就可使表层土壤TOC含量增加20．77％。传统耕作不覆盖（T）和传统耕作结合秸秆还田（TS）等耕作措施会破坏土壤结构，不利于土壤有机碳的积累。不同处理间的土壤焦磷酸钠提取态碳（SPPC）含量差异不显著，SPPC的含量占TOC的比例随耕作措施和土壤性质的不同变幅很大，从23．70％到50．60％不等。NTS处理的SPPC含量最高，NT处理的SPPC含量最低，说明免耕秸秆覆盖有利于改善土壤理化性质，而单纯免耕、不归还秸秆不利于土壤有机质的积累。土壤热水溶性碳水化合物（HWCC）的积累量是NTS〉NT〉TS〉T，说明免耕秸秆覆盖有利于土壤活性有机质的产生和积累，有利于土壤理化性质的改良，能够给土壤微生物提供大量能源物质，有利于土壤的健康发展。     

耕作措施对土壤水稳性团聚体及有机碳分布的影响

通过9a不同耕作的定位试验,研究了深松、旋耕、免耕和传统耕作4种耕作措施对关中塿土小麦-玉米轮作条件下土壤水稳性团聚体及有机碳垂直分布的影响。结果表明,与传统耕作相比,深松、旋耕、免耕措施均提高了0～40cm土层中〉2mm和0.25～2mm大团聚体含量、团聚体有机碳贡献率和团聚体平均重量直径,而传统耕作相应地增加了0～40cm土层中0.053～0.25mm微团聚体和〈0.053mm粘砂粒含量及其有机碳贡献率。同时深松、旋耕、免耕措施提高了各土层总有机碳和耕层0～10cm所有级别团聚体有机碳含量,相比较而言,深松的作用效果更大。秸秆还田进一步提高了各土壤层次上总有机碳和所有级别团聚体的有机碳含量及大团聚体的形成与稳定。在玉米秸秆不还田的条件下,隔年深松比连年深松更有利于0～30cm大团聚体形成及总有机碳和各级别团聚体有机碳的积累。     

长期施肥对土壤活性有机碳指标的影响

以棕壤长期肥料定位试验地土壤为试材,研究和对比了不同施肥处理耕层土壤各项活性有机碳指标对长期施肥的响应。研究结果表明,长期施用化肥、有机肥以及有机肥配施化肥均显著改变了土壤总有机碳(TOC)含量。与此同时,土壤的轻组有机碳(LFOC)、易氧化有机碳(ROC)和微生物量碳(MBC)含量亦对长期施肥产生与TOC基本一致的响应。相关分析结果表明,土壤的LFOC、ROC和MBC可以作为长期施肥对土壤TOC影响的评价指标,且三者的指示灵敏度依次为MBC>LFOC>ROC。     

Changes in soil organic carbon and its chemical fractions under different tillage practices on loess soils of the Guanzhong Plain in north‐west China

Over the past 20 years, conservation tillage has been used on the loess plateau of north‐west China to improve the sustainability of local agriculture. There had been particular concern about loss of soil organic matter associated with traditional tillage. We examined the influence of four tillage treatments: conventional tillage (CT), subsoiling tillage (SST), rotary tillage (RT) and no‐tillage (NT), with two straw residue management treatments (return and removal) on the distribution with soil depth (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm) of total organic carbon, labile organic carbon (KMnO₄‐C) and bound organic carbon. The study was carried out on a Loutu soil (Earth‐cumuli‐Orthic Anthrosol) over seven consecutive years of a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer maize (Zea mays L.) crop rotation. By the end of this period, conservation tillage (SST, RT and NT) led to greater storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) (22.7, 14.9 and 16.3% with straw return in contrast to 21.4, 15.8 and 12.3% with no straw return, respectively) compared with CT in the surface soil (0–20 cm). The reduced tillage treatments (SST and RT) both increased significantly the highly labile organic carbon (HLOC) content of the surface soil (50% in both SST and RT) and mildly labile organic matter (MLOC) (49.4 in SST and 53.5% in RT) when straw was removed. The largest pool of bound carbon was observed in the Humin‐C pool, and the smallest in the free humic acids C (FHA‐C) in each tillage treatment. Conservation tillage led to an increased content of FHA‐C and CHA‐C. Results from correlation analyses indicate that SOC enrichment might have resulted from the increase in HLOC, MLOC, FHA‐C and CHA‐C over a short period. Labile organic carbon was associated with the organic carbon that was more loosely combined with clay (FHA‐C and CHA‐C). We conclude that both SST and RT are effective in maintaining or restoring organic matter in Loutu soils in this region, and the effect is greater when they are used in combination with straw return.     

Influence of fertilization and organic amendments on organic‐carbon fractions in Heilu soil on the loess plateau of China

The influence of fertilization on organic‐carbon fractions separated by density and particle size in Heilu soil (Calcic Kastanozems, FAO) was investigated in a 20‐year (1979–1999) long‐term experiment on the Loess Plateau of China. Compared to an unfertilized treatment, N application alone did not increase total organic carbon (TOC) and its fractions of density and particle size. However, the treatment of N + P fertilization significantly increased salty‐solution–soluble organic carbon (SSOC), microbial biomass C (MB‐C), and organic C associated with fine silt. When manure was applied alone and in combination with N and P fertilizer, the light fraction of organic C (LFOC), SSOC, and MB‐C were increased significantly, and the TOC was as high as that of a native Heilu soil. Organic C associated with different particle‐size fractions was also increased significantly, and the allocation of C among the fractions was altered: the proportions of C in sand (>50 μm), coarse‐silt (20–50 μm), and fine‐clay (<0.2 μm) fractions were increased whereas fine‐silt (2–20 μm) and coarse‐clay (0.2–2 μm) fractions were decreased. It is concluded that N fertilizer alone is not capable of restoring organic‐matter content in the Heilu soils of the Loess Plateau and that C‐containing material like manure and straw is necessary to produce significant increase in soil organic carbon in these soils.     

保护性耕作及其对土壤有机碳的影响

本文把保护性耕作的发展划分为3个阶段,系统总结了保护性耕作技术发展的历程与趋势,并结合我国实际情况,论述了我国保护性耕作研究与应用存在的不足及其与国外的差距,进一步探讨了保护性耕作对土壤有机碳的影响。指出我国在该领域的研究应侧重以下几方面：加强研究保护性耕作对生态环境的作用,寻求有效的固碳途径和管理措施;探讨农田土壤保护性耕作系统能流-碳流循环过程及其动态响应,实现农田系统碳汇／源科学管理调控;采用GIS技术结合土壤有机碳动态模拟模型,评价保护性耕作区域尺度生态效益。     

长期施肥下红壤有机碳及其颗粒组分对不同施肥模式的响应

采集不同施肥24年的红壤,采用物理分组的方法,观测了长期不同施肥下红壤有机碳及其组分变化,并结合历史资料分析了不同施肥模式对红壤有机碳及其颗粒组分的影响。结果表明,化肥配施有机肥（NPKM）处理下红壤总有机碳含量（10.33 g/kg）,砂粒（2000～53 m）、细粉粒（5～2 m）和粘粒（2 m）组分中的有机碳含量显著高于其他处理。与不施肥（CK）相比,施用化肥（NPK、2NPK）和有机肥（NPKM、M）显著地提高了红壤有机碳在砂粒和粘粒中的分配比例,而降低了其在粗粉粒和细粉粒的分配比例。施化肥（NPK、2NPK）、单施有机肥（M）、化肥配施有机肥（NPKM）处理,土壤有机碳的平均固定速率分别为0.05 t/(hm2?a)、0.18 t/(hm2?a)、0.26 t/(hm2?a)。相关分析表明,不同施肥模式下红壤有机碳的固定量与碳投入量之间存在着极显著的线性相关关系（R2=0.909, P0.01）,土壤的固碳效率为8.1%;随着碳投入的增加,粗粉粒和细粉粒有机碳储量逐渐下降,而砂粒和粘粒中碳储量逐渐增加,并且粘粒增加速率要远远高于砂粒。以上结果说明,红壤中有机碳还没有达到饱和,还具有一定的固碳潜力,增加的有机碳主要固持在粘粒中,粘粒是红壤有机碳的主要固持组分。     

长期保护性耕作对黄绵土总有机碳和易氧化有机碳动态的影响

长期定位试验研究了黄土高原西部旱农区不同耕作措施(传统耕作T、免耕+秸秆覆盖NTS、免耕NT、传统耕作+秸秆翻埋TS、传统耕作+地膜覆盖TP和免耕+地膜覆盖NTP)对黄绵土土壤总有机碳和易氧化有机碳的影响。结果表明, 土壤有机碳含量随土壤深度的增加而降低, 10~30 cm土层土壤有机碳含量的下降较为明显, 并且在0~5 cm、5~10 cm和10~30 cm土层中, 均表现为由研究初期各处理相对差异较小到试验中后期各处理出现显著差异的变化。不同耕作措施下0~30 cm土壤总有机碳和易氧化有机碳在2002-2012年的平均含量均为NTS>TS>NTP>NT>T>TP。与传统耕作相比, 免耕各处理和传统耕作秸秆翻埋处理可增加1.2%~7.2%的土壤总有机碳, 5.3%~16.6%的土壤易氧化有机碳含量, 而传统耕作覆膜处理分别降低4.3%和2.7%。免耕和秸秆覆盖处理均有利于黄绵土土壤有机碳和易氧化有机碳的积累, 免耕结合秸秆覆盖效果最佳, 而多年传统耕作覆盖地膜后有机碳明显降低。免耕秸秆覆盖处理土壤总有机碳和易氧化有机碳含量平均值在2004年、2006年、2008年、2010年及2012年分别较2002年提高9.5%和42.9%、13.2%和67.6%、21.5%和71.5%、1.1%和15.9%、2.7%和12.6%。因此, 在西部黄土高原黄绵土区, 采用免耕结合秸秆覆盖的保护性耕作措施有利于土壤总有机碳和易氧化有机碳含量的提高, 从而有利于土壤质量的持续改善。易氧化有机碳对不同耕作措施的响应比总有机碳更灵敏, 可以将其作为指示黄绵土有机碳变化的早期指标。     

有机培肥与耕作方式对稻麦轮作土壤团聚体和有机碳组分的影响

为了明确不同外源有机物和耕作方式对土壤地力培育的影响,以水稻-小麦轮作系统为对象,通过2个年度(2016—2018年)大田试验研究了外源有机物(秸秆和有机肥)和耕作方式及其交互作用[稻麦秸秆还田配合旋耕(SR),稻麦秸秆还田配合翻耕(SP),秸秆不还田、增施有机肥配合旋耕(MR),秸秆不还田、增施有机肥配合翻耕(MP),秸秆不还田、不施用有机肥、旋耕深度15 cm(CKR)]对土壤团聚体和有机碳组成的短期影响。结果表明:SR处理能够降低水稻季土壤容重并增加总孔隙度。相比CKR,小麦季SR处理显著增加0.05mm水稳性团聚体含量,增加量为7.2%。此外,外源有机物和耕作对土壤有机碳活性组分具有显著影响。其中,易氧化有机碳(EOC)主要受耕作与有机物交互作用影响,酸水解有机碳(LPIc和LPII_c)主要受耕作措施的影响, SR处理的土壤EOC和LPI_c含量比CKR提高0.3～2.6 g·kg~(-1)。颗粒有机碳(POC)主要受外源有机物的影响,并且秸秆还田处理POC平均含量高于增施有机肥处理,增加量为0.75g·kg~(-1)。短期内,外源有机物和耕作及其交互作用对稳定性有机碳(黑碳和矿物结合态有机碳)的影响较小。综上,秸秆还田配合旋耕有助于提高土壤水稳性团聚体和活性有机碳的含量(EOC、LPI_c和POC)。     

Effect of ultrasonic power on soil organic carbon fractions

Ultrasonic dispersion is a prevalent tool for soil fractionation. It is widely ignored that variation in ultrasonic power might lead to significantly different dispersion. We evaluated the effect of power variation with constant energy on the fine fraction mass, its organic C content and quality. All parameters increased significantly with power. The term “stable aggregates” as used in fractionation schemes cannot be defined by ultrasonic energy alone but power needs to be standardized, too.     

长期撂荒对黑土土壤有机碳组分的影响

为明确长期撂荒对黑土不同土层土壤有机碳及其组分的影响,以吉林公主岭黑土长期定位试验为对象,选取不施肥和撂荒2个处理,采用改良的Walkley-Black土壤有机碳分组方法,研究不同层次(0～0.2、0.2～0.4和0.4～0.6 m)土壤有机碳及其组分的变化.结果表明:(1)0～0.6 m土壤剖面中,撂荒处理下土壤有机...     

Effect of conservation tillage on crop yield and soil organic carbon in Northeast China: A meta-analysis

Northeast China, the important grain-producing region in China, is under threat from soil degradation because of long-term conventional tillage (CT). The adoption of conservation tillage is anticipated to restore soil fertility, maintain crop yields and enhance sustainability. However, the integrated effects of conservation tillage practice on crop yields and soil organic carbon (SOC) remain unclear. In this meta-analysis of peer-reviewed studies conducted in the Northeast China region, we assess crop yields and SOC values under no-till, ridge tillage and subsoiling tillage practices. The results indicate that in areas with mean annual temperatures (MAT) below 3°C, crop yields were significantly (p < .05) higher under ridge tillage (0.8%) and subsoiling tillage (13.1%) compared with CT, whereas yields reduced under no-till (−3.7%). Ridge tillage generally had a similar effect on crop yield as no-till, without the negative impact in colder regions. We also report that no-till practice increased SOC concentrations by 24.1%, 43.9% and 17.4% in areas of higher temperature (MAT > 6°C), low mean annual precipitation (MAP) (<500 mm) and continuous cropping conditions, respectively. Ridge tillage and subsoiling tillage also had positive effects on SOC concentrations (to a lesser degree than no-till), indicating that conservation tillage can enhance SOC in Northeast China. Overall, the implementation of different conservation tillage measures in Northeast China was found to enhance crop yields and sequester carbon. We recommend that ridge tillage is used in colder areas and that subsoiling tillage is used in rotation with other tillage measures to maintain crop yields.     

Effect of no-tillage with straw mulch and conventional tillage on soil organic carbon pools in Northern China

The dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) is imperative for maintaining soil quality. Our objective was to investigate the effects of tillage practices on SOC and its fractions at the depth (0–60 cm) of Chromic Cambisol profile in northern China. The experiment including no-tillage with straw mulch (NTSM) and conventional tillage (CT). Our results indicated that differences in SOC concentration and stock were primarily evident in the 0–10 cm layer. The particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) levels in the top layers (0–10 cm) under the NTSM treatment were 28.5, 26.1 and 51.0% higher than CT. A positive correlation was observed between these labile C fractions and the SOC, and POM-C was the much more sensitive indicator of SOC quality than MBC and DOC. NTSM was unable to sustain the greater yields, and from 2006 to 2011, the mean maize yield for NTSM was significantly lower than that for CT (P < 0.05). NTSM resulted in higher SOC content and stocks in dryland farming systems but lower crop yields is a concern which needs to be addressed in order to make these systems acceptable to the farming community.