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Sheep rotational grazing strategy to improve soil organic carbon and reduce carbon dioxide emission from spring wheat in an arid region

Irshad Ahmad , Lina Shi, Shanning Lou, Jiao Ning, Yarong Guo, Muhammad Kamran, Khushnuma Ikram, Wanhe Zhu, Fujiang Hou

Abstract

Context. Cultivating forage crops are crucial to improve feed production, and grazing is an important utilization method to improve soil fertility. Aim. Improving soil organic carbon (SOC) content and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emission through grazing management from spring wheat field was the main aim of the experiment. Methods. We compared sheep rotational grazing and control, and studied their effects on SOC and CO2 emission from spring wheat field. Key results. Sheep rotational grazing improved SOC content (by 23.5%) and soil easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC) content (by 7.7%) and reduces soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content (by 35.8%) compared with the control. Sheep rotational grazing reduced CO2 emission compared with the control treatment. Sheep grazing reduced cumulative CO2 emission by 28.9% and 33% in May and in June compared with the control. Conclusions. Sheep grazing improved SOC content and reduce CO2 emission from spring wheat field. Implications. Based on our short term study, sheep rotational grazing have a significant effect on SOC, EOC and MBC contents and CO2 emission from spring wheat field in arid regions. For a large scale assessment of sheep grazing on soil fertility and CO2 emission, more investigation for different soils and climates would be necessary. Furthermore, a long term study is also necessary to better understand the effect of sheep rotational grazing on soil fertility and CO2 emission from spring wheat field in arid regions.

SR22075  Accepted 03 July 2024

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