Dynamics of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions and Aggregates in Vegetable Cropping Systems

doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(14)60046-1

Pedosphere

Volume 24, Issue 5, October 2014, Pages 605-612

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(14)60046-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Fertilisers significantly affect crop production and crop biomass inputs to soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the long-term effects of fertilisers on C associated with aggregates are not yet fully understood. Based on soil aggregate and SOC fractionation analysis, this study investigated the long-term effects of organic manure and inorganic fertilisers on the accumulation and change in SOC and its fractions, including the C concentrations of free light fraction, intra-aggregate particulate organic matter (POM) and intra-aggregate mineral-associated organic matter (MOM). Long-term manure applications improved SOC and increased the concentrations of some C fractions. Manure also accelerated the decomposition of coarse POM (cPOM) into fine POM (fPOM) and facilitated the transformation of fPOM encrustation into intra-microaggregate POM within macroaggregates. However, the application of inorganic fertilisers was detrimental to the formation of fPOM and to the subsequent encrustation of fPOM with clay particles, thus inhibiting the formation of stable microaggregates within macroaggregates. No significant differences were observed among the inorganic fertiliser treatments in terms of C concentrations of MOM, intra-microaggregate MOM within macroaggregate (imMMOM) and intra-microaggregate MOM (imMOM). However, the long-term application of manure resulted in large increases in C concentrations of MOM (36.35%), imMMOM (456.31%) and imMOM (19.33%) compared with control treatment.

References (35)

A.A. Freixo et al.
Soil organic carbon and fractions of a Rhodic Ferralsol under the influence of tillage and crop rotation in southern Brazil
Soil Till. Res.
(2002)
H.H. Janzen et al.
Management effects on soil C storage on the Canadian prairies
Soil Till. Res.
(1998)
J.D. Jastrow
Soil aggregate formation and the accrual of particulate and mineral-associated organic matter
Soil Biol. Biochem.
(1996)
M. Kanchikerimath et al.
Soil organic matter and biological properties after 26 years of maize-wheat-cowpea cropping as affected by manure and fertilization in a Cambisol in semiarid region of India
Agr. Ecosyst. Environ.
(2001)
S. Nardi et al.
Soil organic matter properties after 40 years of different use of organic and mineral fertilisers
Eur. J. Agron.
(2004)
W.R. Raun et al.
Effect of long-term N fertilization on soil organic C and total N in continuous wheat under conventional tillage in Oklahoma
Soil Till. Res.
(1998)
L. Rudrappa et al.
Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a Typic Haplustept of semi-arid subtropical India
Soil Till. Res.
(2006)
J. Six et al.
Soil macroaggregate turnover and microaggregate formation: A mechanism for C sequestration under no-tillage agriculture
Soil Biol. Biochem.
(2000)
L. Zotarelli et al.
Impact of tillage and crop rotation on light fraction and intra-aggregate soil organic matter in two Oxisols
Soil Till. Res.
(2007)
E. Besnard et al.
Fate of particulate organic matter in soil aggregates during cultivation
Eur. J. Soil Sci.
(1996)

R.C. Dalal et al.

Long-term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in Southern Queensland. IV. Loss of organic carbon from different density fractions

Aust. J. Soil Res.

(1986)

I. Del Galdo et al.

Assessing the impact of land-use change on soil C sequestration in agricultural soils by means of organic matter fractionation and stable C isotopes

Glob. Change Biol.

(2003)

K. Denef et al.

Carbon sequestration in microaggregates of no-tillage soils with different clay mineralogy

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

(2004)

E.T. Elliott

Aggregate structure and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in native and cultivated soils

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

(1986)

E.T. Elliott et al.

Let the soil work for us

Ecol. Bull.

(1988)

E.G. Gregorich et al.

Fertilization effects on soil organic matter turnover and corn residue C storage

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

(1996)

A.D. Halvorson et al.

Tillage, nitrogen, and cropping system effects on soil carbon sequestration

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

(2002)

Cited by (21)

Alterations of soil aggregates and intra-aggregate organic carbon fractions after soil conversion from paddy soils to upland soils: Distribution, mineralization and driving mechanism
2024, Pedosphere
Investigating the impacts of soil conversion on soil organic carbon (OC) content and its fractions within soil aggregates is essential for defining better strategies to improve soil structure and OC sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the consequences of soil conversion from paddy soil to upland soil for soil aggregates and intra-aggregate OC pools are poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the effects of soil conversion on soil aggregate and intra-aggregate OC pool distributions. Four typical rice-producing areas were chosen in North and South China, paired soil samples (upland soil converted from paddy soil more than ten years ago vs. adjacent paddy soil) were collected (0–20 cm) with three replicates in each area. A set of core parameters (OC preservation capacity, aggregate carbon (C) turnover, and biological activity index) were evaluated to assess the responses of intra-aggregate OC turnover to soil conversion. Results showed that soil conversion from paddy soil to upland soil significantly improved the formation of macro-aggregates and increased aggregate stability. It also notably decreased soil intra-aggregate OC pools, including easily oxidized OCa (EOCa), particulate OCa (POCa), and mineral-bound (MOCa) OC, and the sensitivity of aggregate-associated OC pools to soil conversion followed the order: EOCa (average reduction of 21.1%) > MOCa (average reduction of 15.4%) > POCa (average reduction of 14.8%). The potentially mineralizable C (C₀) was significantly higher in upland soil than in paddy soil, but the corresponding decay constant (k) was lower in upland soil than in paddy soil. Random forest model and partial correlation analysis showed that EOCa and pH were the important nutrient and physicochemical factors impacting k of C mineralization in paddy soil, while MOCa and C-related enzyme (β-D-cellobiohydrolase) were identified as the key factors in upland soil. In conclusion, this study evidenced that soil conversion from paddy soil to upland soil increased the percentage of macro-aggregates and aggregate stability, while decreased soil aggregate-associated C stock and k of soil C mineralization on a scale of ten years. Our findings provided some new insights into the alterations of soil aggregates and potential C sequestration under soil conversion system in rice-producing areas.
Occurrence, ecology risk assessment and exposure evaluation of 19 anthelmintics in dust and soil from China
2023, Chemosphere
In order to fill the blank of domestic research on anthelmintics in dust and soil, 159 paired dust (including indoor and outdoor dust) and soil samples were collected nationwide. All 19 kinds of the anthelmintics were detected in the samples. The total concentration of the target substances in the outdoor dust, indoor dust and soil samples ranged from 1.83 to 1.30 × 10³ ng/g, from 2.99 to 6.00 × 10³ ng/g and from 0.23 to 8.03 × 10² ng/g, respectively. The total concentration of the 19 anthelmintics in northern China were significantly higher than those in southern China in the outdoor dust and soil samples. No significant correlation was found in the total concentration of anthelmintics between the indoor and outdoor dust because of strong human activities interference, however, a significant correlation existed between the outdoor dust and soil samples and between the indoor dust and soil samples. High ecological risk was found at 35% and 28% of all the sampling sites to non-target organisms in the soil respectively for IVE and ABA, and merits further study. The daily anthelmintics intakes were evaluated via ingestion and dermal contact of soil and dust samples for both children and adults. Ingestion was the predominant way for anthelmintics exposure, and the anthelmintics in soil and dust did not pose a health threat to human health at present.
Effect of reduced mineral fertilization (NPK) combined with green manure on aggregate stability and soil organic carbon fractions in a fluvo-aquic paddy soil
2021, Soil and Tillage Research
A 10-year field experiment with different inorganic fertilizer rates, NPK (F; 100 %, 80 % and 60 %) supplemented with Chinese milk vetch, Astragalus sinicus L. (MV; 15 t ha⁻¹, 22.5 t ha⁻¹, 30 t ha⁻¹ and 37.5 t ha⁻¹) as green manure was conducted in a fluvo-aquic paddy soil in Southern China. The study aimed to assess soil water stable aggregates (WSA) and their stability indices, aggregate associated SOC and physical protection mechanisms of SOC within aggregate associated density fractions (fLOC, c-iPOC, f-iPOC and mSOC) at 0−20 cm soil depth. The results showed that soil macroaggregation was significantly improved (P < 0.05) with combined application of NPK and green manuring, by 76.7 % and 10.1 % with 37.5t + F80, and by 80.6 % and 12.5 % with 30t + F60, compared to the control (CK) and F (100 % NPK) treatments, respectively. Aggregate stability indices such as mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) were increased under 37.5t + F80 (51.4 % and 22.7 %) and 30t + F60 (54.3 % and 22.7 %) treatments compared to CK. Bulk SOC concentration was positively correlated with MWD (R² = 0.62) and GMD (R² = 0.59). Compared to CK, bulk soil OC was significantly increased by 31.0 % with 22.5 t + F80, 38.8 % with 37.5 t + F80 and by 18.0 % with 30 t + F60. With reduced mineral fertilization combined with green manure (MV), SOC concentrations of the macroaggregates (0.25−2 mm), microaggregates (0.053−0.25 mm) and silt + clay fraction (<0.053 mm) were 18.0 %, 11.2 % and 6.8 % higher than CK. The highest proportion of OC added with MV residues was distributed in mSOC fraction isolated from macroaggregates (0.25−2 mm) and microaggregates (0.053−0.25 mm). However, c-iPOC_{0.25−2 mm} and f-iPOC_{0.053−0.25 mm} fractions were the most sensitive indicators of the increased SOC, suggesting a shift of SOC towards microaggregates and thereby long-term SOC sequestration within the microaggregates through physical protection mechanisms. Moreover, f-iPOC was positively correlated (slope = 0.051; R² = 0.17) with bulk soil OC indicating that f-iPOC was main SOC accumulating fraction within the microaggregates. It can be concluded that reduced mineral fertilization combined with green manuring (especially, 22.5 t + F80, 37.5 t + F80 and 30 t + F60) could be an efficient strategy to improve soil structure and intra-aggregate SOC sequestration in fluvo-aquic paddy soil.
Quantifying the relationships between soil fraction mass, fraction carbon, and total soil carbon to assess mechanisms of physical protection
2019, Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Citation Excerpt :
We included all available observations to avoid loss of data and our selection of random effects in hierarchical models ensured that changes in SOC and fraction characteristics were not confounded by change in soil depth. Our search resulted in a database (SI Table 1) of 41 studies reporting from 38 sites (Ayuke et al., 2011; Bhattacharyya et al., 2012; Bossuyt et al., 2004; Brown et al., 2014; Carrington et al., 2012; Chung et al., 2010, 2008; Das et al., 2014; Del Galdo et al., 2003; Denef et al., 2007; Fahey et al., 2013; Fonte et al., 2014, 2010a; 2010b, 2009b; 2009a, 2007; Fonte and Six, 2010; Fultz et al., 2014, 2013b; 2013a; Gentile et al., 2011, 2010; Gulde et al., 2008; Hoosbeek et al., 2006; Huang et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2017; Knowles et al., 2016; Kumari et al., 2011; Liang et al., 2014; Lichter et al., 2008; Mayzelle et al., 2014; Nicolás et al., 2014; Oorts et al., 2007; Scott et al., 2017; Sheehy et al., 2015; Simpson et al., 2004; Singh et al., 2015; Yavitt et al., 2015; Zhao et al., 2018; Zotarelli et al., 2005). Studies were located on five continents (Australia and Antarctica not represented), with reports from North America (39% of studies) and Asia (18% of studies) most common.
Relationships between soil fractions (their mass or carbon (C)) and soil organic carbon (SOC) have been used to develop central ideas in SOC research. However, few attempts have been made to quantify the relationship between SOC and all soil fractions, despite the potential for such an effort to address SOC stabilization processes. We identified 41 published studies that used diverse management techniques to cause a change in SOC concentration and disrupted soil into macroaggregates (>250 μm), free microaggregates (53–250 μm) and free silt + clay (<53 μm), subsequently disrupting macroaggregates into constituent fractions (coarse particulate organic matter [cPOM] > 250 μm, occluded microaggregates, and occluded silt + clay). We used linear hierarchical models to quantify relationships between mass, C concentration and total C of fractions and SOC. Soil mass redistribution toward macroaggregates was associated with SOC accumulation, however total microaggregate mass (free + occluded) did not increase with macroaggregate mass, as would be expected given de novo microaggregate formation within macroaggregates. Instead, high SOC soils exhibited a greater percent of total microaggregates occluded in macroaggregates. Occlusion in macroaggregates was also associated with increased C concentrations of microaggregates (35% higher, SE = 3.2) and silt + clay (30% higher, SE = 3.9) relative to their free counterparts. Taken together, these relationships suggest reduced macroaggregate turnover promotes SOC accumulation via the stabilization of C into occluded fractions. Rates of SOC increase with silt + clay C concentrations failed to increase with mean site-level SOC concentration, indicating of the studied soils (median SOC concentration = 14 g kg⁻¹; max 68), SOC accumulation appears unlikely to be limited by C storage capacity in the silt + clay fraction. For each unit SOC gain, macroaggregates accounted for 83% (95% CI = 74, 91), and occluded microaggregates for 43% (95% CI = 33, 52), consistent relationships that have potential to be used as benchmarks for fraction-based SOC models.
Dependence of temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition on nutrient management options under conservation agriculture in a sub-tropical Inceptisol
2019, Soil and Tillage Research
Assessment of temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization from soils of long-term precision conservation agriculture (CA) plots is essential to forecast soil C dynamics. Under CA, varying quantity of inorganic nutrient application had differential impact on SOC. At the same time study of SOC mineralization at different simulated temperatures is important as global climate change affects C-cycle of an agro-ecosystem. To assess the impact of tillage and nutrient management on SOC build-up, a long-term study (five year old) with 3-tillage practices [ZT-zero tillage; PB-permanent beds, & CT-conventional tillage] in main plot and 4-nutrient management strategies [unfertilized, farmer fertilizer practice-FFP, recommended fertilizers-Ad-hoc and a site specific nutrient management-SSNM] in sub-plot in a maize-wheat-mungbean system was chosen. To measure the build-up and thermal sensitivity of SOC, soil samples from 3- depths (0–7.5, 7.5–15 and 15–30 cm) were collected. The kinetics of C-mineralisation was studied through laboratory incubation at 3-temperatures (27, 32 and 37 °C) for 90 days. The PB/ZT and SSNM had significantly higher SOC compared with CT and unfertilized plots, respectively. Although the cumulative C mineralization after 90-days of incubation followed the trend of SOC content among the treatments, while decay rates of SOC mineralization showed somewhat different trend. In all the tillage treatments the percentage of SOC mineralised ranged between 3.3–5.8% at 27 °C, 5.2–8.1% at 32 °C and 7.3–10.9% at 37 °C. At higher temperature, higher SOC decay rates were observed under CT and unfertilized plots compared with PB/ZT and SSNM plots, respectively. The SOC from lower soil depth in CT and unfertilized plots was more temperature sensitive (Q₁₀ = 4.03 and 4.89, respectively) compared to those under CA-based PB/ZT (Q₁₀ = 2.63–2.82) and SSNM (Q₁₀ = 2.15) based balanced nutrition, respectively. The SOC in lower soil depth (7.5–15 and 15–30 cm) is 1.3 and 2.1 times more temperature sensitive respectively than surface soil depth of 0–7.5 cm soil depth. Higher proportion of less labile SOC under CT and unfertilized plots might be the reason for higher temperature sensitivity. In the inevitable and impending global climate change scenario, we might lose a sizeable amount of sequestered C, which is otherwise stable at present ambient temperature.
Soil organic carbon dynamics: Impact of land use changes and management practices: A review
2019, Advances in Agronomy
Citation Excerpt :
Further, like other crops, vegetable crops also play a vital role in soil carbon sequestration and potentially in mitigating global warming when suitable management practices are adopted. Liang et al. (2014) estimated SOC stocks of vegetable cropping systems under different management practices in sandy loam soils of Liaoning Province, China. Application of organic manures with or without chemical fertilizers increased the SOC content, mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC), and particulate organic carbon (POC).
Global climate change has resulted in changes to the earth's geological, ecological, and biological ecosystems, which pose a severe threat to the existence of human civilization and sustenance of agricultural productivity vis-à-vis food security. In the last several decades, climate change has been linked to erratic rainfall distribution patterns and large variations in diurnal temperatures, because of a rise in atmospheric CO₂ concentration. This, in turn, is thought to make world agricultural production systems more prone to failure. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is an important component for the functioning of agro-ecosystems, and its presence is central to the concept of sustainable maintenance of soil health. Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon sink and contains 2- and 3-times more carbon than the carbon in the atmosphere and vegetation, respectively. Therefore, a meager change in soil carbon sequestration will have a drastic impact on the global carbon cycle and climate change. The SOC has different pools and fractions including total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (KMnO₄-C), and mineral associated organic carbon (MOC). Each has a varying degree of decomposition rate and stability. Researchers have identified many ways to offset the effect of climate change through modification of carbon sequestration in the soil. Identification of location-specific, suitable land use and management practices is one of the options to mitigate the impact of the climate change. It can be done by re-balancing different carbon pools and emission fluxes. Labile organic carbon pools including MBC, POC, and KMnO₄-C are the most sensitive indicators for assessing soil quality after the adoption of alternate land use and management practices. Information on soil aggregation and SOC stabilization helps for long-term sequestration of carbon in the soil. Here we review the progress of work on SOC dynamics in the major ecosystems of the world. The information should enrich understanding of carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation strategies.

View all citing articles on Scopus

: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31171997), the Fifth Session of Geping Green Action—123 Project of Liaoning Environmental Research and Education (No. CEPF2012-123-1-4), and the Innovative Graduate Training Program of Shenyang Agricultural University of China.

View full text

Dynamics of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions and Aggregates in Vegetable Cropping Systems

Abstract

Soil Till. Res.

Soil Till. Res.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Agr. Ecosyst. Environ.

Eur. J. Agron.

Soil Till. Res.

Soil Till. Res.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Till. Res.

Fate of particulate organic matter in soil aggregates during cultivation

Eur. J. Soil Sci.

Long-term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in Southern Queensland. IV. Loss of organic carbon from different density fractions

Aust. J. Soil Res.

Assessing the impact of land-use change on soil C sequestration in agricultural soils by means of organic matter fractionation and stable C isotopes

Glob. Change Biol.

Carbon sequestration in microaggregates of no-tillage soils with different clay mineralogy

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

Aggregate structure and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in native and cultivated soils

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

Let the soil work for us

Ecol. Bull.

Fertilization effects on soil organic matter turnover and corn residue C storage

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

Tillage, nitrogen, and cropping system effects on soil carbon sequestration

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.