Changes in soil carbon fractions due to incorporating corn residues in organic and conventional vegetable farming systems
Yadunath Bajgai A B E , Paul Kristiansen A , Nilantha Hulugalle C and Melinda McHenry D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B RNR—Research and Development Centre Bajo, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Narrabri, NSW 2390, Australia.
D Centre for Plant and Water Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, Qld 4670, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: ybajgai@gmail.com
Soil Research 52(3) 244-252 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13295
Submitted: 14 January 2013 Accepted: 6 January 2014 Published: 31 March 2014
Abstract
Vegetable production systems rely on frequent tillage to prepare beds and manage weeds, thereby accelerating losses of soil organic carbon (SOC). They are also characterised by scant crop residue input. Residue incorporation and organic fertiliser application could counteract SOC loss due to tillage. We tested this hypothesis in a Chromosol and a Vertosol in northern NSW, Australia, where the effects of incorporating sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa) residue in soil in a corn–cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) rotation under either organic or conventional system on soil C fractions were studied during two rotation cycles (2 years). A laboratory experiment was conducted to isolate the effect of tillage on the soil organic matter (SOM) fractions, because both the residue-incorporated and without-residue treatments for organic systems received tillage for weed control in the field, whereas conventional systems did not. Residue incorporation increased particulate OC (POC) by 32% in the field experiment and 48% in the laboratory experiment, whereas dissolved OC was increased only in the organic system. Concentrations of mineral-associated OC (MOC) and total OC (TOC) were increased by residue incorporation in both field and laboratory experiments. Simulated tillage had a limited effect on POC, MOC and TOC, suggesting that cultivation for weed control may have only a minor effect on short-term SOM mineralisation rates. In both experiments, MOC accounted for ≥83% in the Vertosol and ≥73% in the Chromosol. Due to frequent tillage in vegetable production systems, physicochemical stabilisation of C predominates over protection through aggregation.
Additional keywords: dissolved organic carbon, mineral-associated OC, particulate OC, residue management, total OC.
References
Angers DA, N’dayegamiye A, Côté D (1993) Tillage-induced differences in organic matter of particle-size fractions and microbial biomass. Soil Science Society of America Journal 57, 512–516.| Tillage-induced differences in organic matter of particle-size fractions and microbial biomass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bajgai Y, Kristiansen P, Hulugalle N, McHenry M (2013) Comparison of organic and conventional managements on yields, nutrients and weeds in a corn–cabbage rotation. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems
| Comparison of organic and conventional managements on yields, nutrients and weeds in a corn–cabbage rotation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baldock JA, Skjemstad JO (2000) Role of the soil matrix and minerals in protecting natural organic materials against biological attack. Organic Geochemistry 31, 697–710.
| Role of the soil matrix and minerals in protecting natural organic materials against biological attack.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Balesdent J, Chenu C, Balabane M (2000) Relationship of soil organic matter dynamics to physical protection and tillage. Soil & Tillage Research 53, 215–230.
| Relationship of soil organic matter dynamics to physical protection and tillage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berry PM, Sylvester-Bradley R, Philipps L, Hatch DJ, Cuttle SP, Rayns FW, Gosling P (2002) Is the productivity of organic farms restricted by the supply of available nitrogen? Soil Use and Management 18, 248–255.
| Is the productivity of organic farms restricted by the supply of available nitrogen?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blanco-Canqui H, Lal R (2004) Mechanisms of carbon sequestration in soil aggregates. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 23, 481–504.
| Mechanisms of carbon sequestration in soil aggregates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boix-Fayos C, de Vente J, Albaladejo J, Martínez-Mena M (2009) Soil carbon erosion and stock as affected by land use changes at the catchment scale in Mediterranean ecosystems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 133, 75–85.
| Soil carbon erosion and stock as affected by land use changes at the catchment scale in Mediterranean ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bond W, Grundy AC (2001) Non-chemical weed management in organic farming systems. Weed Research 41, 383–405.
| Non-chemical weed management in organic farming systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brandstätter E (1999) Confidence intervals as an alternative to significance testing. Methods of Psychological Research 4, 33–46.
Braunack MV, McPhee JE (1991) The effect of initial soil water content and tillage implement on seedbed formation. Soil & Tillage Research 20, 5–17.
| The effect of initial soil water content and tillage implement on seedbed formation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bronick CJ, Lal R (2005) Soil structure and management: A review. Geoderma 124, 3–22.
| Soil structure and management: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Calderón FJ, Jackson LE, Scow KM, Rolston DE (2000) Microbial responses to simulated tillage in cultivated and uncultivated soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 1547–1559.
| Microbial responses to simulated tillage in cultivated and uncultivated soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cambardella CA, Elliott ET (1992) Particulate soil organic-matter changes across a grassland cultivation sequence. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56, 777–783.
| Particulate soil organic-matter changes across a grassland cultivation sequence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chan KY (1997) Consequences of changes in particulate organic carbon in vertisols under pasture and cropping. Soil Science Society of America Journal 61, 1376–1382.
| Consequences of changes in particulate organic carbon in vertisols under pasture and cropping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chan KY, Heenan DP, Oates A (2002) Soil carbon fractions and relationship to soil quality under different tillage and stubble management. Soil & Tillage Research 63, 133–139.
| Soil carbon fractions and relationship to soil quality under different tillage and stubble management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chan KY, Dorahy CG, Tyler S, Wells AT, Milham PP, Barchia I (2007) Phosphorus accumulation and other changes in soil properties as a consequence of vegetable production, Sydney region, Australia. Soil Research 45, 139–146.
| Phosphorus accumulation and other changes in soil properties as a consequence of vegetable production, Sydney region, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chantigny MH (2003) Dissolved and water-extractable organic matter in soils: A review on the influence of land use and management practices. Geoderma 113, 357–380.
| Dissolved and water-extractable organic matter in soils: A review on the influence of land use and management practices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chantigny MH, Angers DA, Kaiser K, Kalbitz K (2007) Extraction and characterization of dissolved organic matter. In ‘Soil sampling and methods of analysis’. 2nd edn (Eds MR Carter, EG Gregorich) pp. 617–636. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL)
Chirinda N, Olesen JE, Porter JR, Schjønning P (2010) Soil properties, crop production and greenhouse gas emissions from organic and inorganic fertilizer-based arable cropping systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 139, 584–594.
| Soil properties, crop production and greenhouse gas emissions from organic and inorganic fertilizer-based arable cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Christensen BT (2001) Physical fractionation of soil and structural and functional complexity in organic matter turnover. European Journal of Soil Science 52, 345–353.
| Physical fractionation of soil and structural and functional complexity in organic matter turnover.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Conant RT, Easter M, Paustian K, Swan A, Williams S (2007) Impacts of periodic tillage on soil C stocks: A synthesis. Soil & Tillage Research 95, 1–10.
| Impacts of periodic tillage on soil C stocks: A synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dao TH (1998) Tillage and crop residue effects on carbon dioxide evolution and carbon storage in a paleustoll. Soil Science Society of America Journal 62, 250–256.
| Tillage and crop residue effects on carbon dioxide evolution and carbon storage in a paleustoll.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hassink J (1997) The capacity of soils to preserve organic c and n by their association with clay and silt particles. Plant and Soil 191, 77–87.
| The capacity of soils to preserve organic c and n by their association with clay and silt particles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Isbell RF (2002) ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ Revised edn (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Jackson LE, Ramirez I, Yokota R, Fennimore SA, Koike ST, Henderson DM, Chaney WE, Calderón FJ, Klonsky K (2004) On-farm assessment of organic matter and tillage management on vegetable yield, soil, weeds, pests, and economics in California. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 103, 443–463.
| On-farm assessment of organic matter and tillage management on vegetable yield, soil, weeds, pests, and economics in California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson JMF, Franzluebbers AJ, Weyers SL, Reicosky DC (2007) Agricultural opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Pollution 150, 107–124.
| Agricultural opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kalbitz K, Solinger S, Park J-H, Michalzik B, Matzner E (2000) Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in soils: A review. Soil Science 165, 277–304.
| Controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in soils: A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kögel-Knabner I, Guggenberger G, Kleber M, Kandeler E, Kalbitz K, Scheu S, Eusterhues K, Leinweber P (2008) Organo-mineral associations in temperate soils: Integrating biology, mineralogy, and organic matter chemistry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 171, 61–82.
| Organo-mineral associations in temperate soils: Integrating biology, mineralogy, and organic matter chemistry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kristensen HL, Debosz K, McCarty GW (2003) Short-term effects of tillage on mineralization of nitrogen and carbon in soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 35, 979–986.
| Short-term effects of tillage on mineralization of nitrogen and carbon in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kristiansen PE, Sindel BM, Jessop RS (2008) Weed management in organic echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) production. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 23, 120–135.
| Weed management in organic echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kuzyakov Y (2006) Sources of co2 efflux from soil and review of partitioning methods. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 38, 425–448.
| Sources of co2 efflux from soil and review of partitioning methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leifeld J, Reiser R, Oberholzer HR (2009) Consequences of conventional versus organic farming on soil carbon: Results from a 27-year field experiment. Agronomy Journal 101, 1204–1218.
| Consequences of conventional versus organic farming on soil carbon: Results from a 27-year field experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu DL, Chan KY, Conyers MK (2009) Simulation of soil organic carbon under different tillage and stubble management practices using the Rothamsted carbon model. Soil & Tillage Research 104, 65–73.
| Simulation of soil organic carbon under different tillage and stubble management practices using the Rothamsted carbon model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Luo Z, Wang E, Sun OJ (2010a) Can no-tillage stimulate carbon sequestration in agricultural soils? A meta-analysis of paired experiments. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 139, 224–231.
| Can no-tillage stimulate carbon sequestration in agricultural soils? A meta-analysis of paired experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Luo Z, Wang E, Sun OJ (2010b) Soil carbon change and its responses to agricultural practices in Australian agro-ecosystems: A review and synthesis. Geoderma 155, 211–223.
| Soil carbon change and its responses to agricultural practices in Australian agro-ecosystems: A review and synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magill AH, Aber JD (1998) Long-term effects of experimental nitrogen additions on foliar litter decay and humus formation in forest ecosystems. Plant and Soil 203, 301–311.
| Long-term effects of experimental nitrogen additions on foliar litter decay and humus formation in forest ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marinari S, Lagomarsino A, Moscatelli MC, Di Tizio A, Campiglia E (2010a) Soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization kinetics in organic and conventional three-year cropping systems. Soil & Tillage Research 109, 161–168.
| Soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization kinetics in organic and conventional three-year cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marinari S, Liburdi K, Fliessbach A, Kalbitz K (2010b) Effects of organic management on water-extractable organic matter and C mineralization in European arable soils. Soil & Tillage Research 106, 211–217.
| Effects of organic management on water-extractable organic matter and C mineralization in European arable soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martens DA (2000) Plant residue biochemistry regulates soil carbon cycling and carbon sequestration. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 361–369.
| Plant residue biochemistry regulates soil carbon cycling and carbon sequestration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martínez-Mena M, López J, Almagro M, Albaladejo J, Castillo V, Ortiz R, Boix-Fayos C (2012) Organic carbon enrichment in sediments: Effects of rainfall characteristics under different land uses in a Mediterranean area. Catena 94, 36–42.
| Organic carbon enrichment in sediments: Effects of rainfall characteristics under different land uses in a Mediterranean area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mondelaers K, Aertsens J, Van Huylenbroeck G (2009) A meta-analysis of the differences in environmental impacts between organic and conventional farming. British Food Journal 111, 1098–1119.
| A meta-analysis of the differences in environmental impacts between organic and conventional farming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
NSW DPI (2006) Commodity growing guides—cabbage. Primefact 90. NSW DPI, Orange, NSW. Available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/vegetables/commodity/cabbage-growing
NSW DPI (2009) Summer crop production guide 2009. NSW DPI, Orange, NSW. Revised document available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/303485/summer-crop-production-guide-2011.pdf
Poudel DD, Horwath WR, Lanini WT, Temple SR, van Bruggen AHC (2002) Comparison of soil N availability and leaching potential, crop yields and weeds in organic, low-input and conventional farming systems in northern california. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 90, 125–137.
| Comparison of soil N availability and leaching potential, crop yields and weeds in organic, low-input and conventional farming systems in northern california.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Development Core Team (2010) ‘R: A language and environment for statistical computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna)
Roberts WP, Chan KY (1990) Tillage-induced increases in carbon dioxide loss from soil. Soil & Tillage Research 17, 143–151.
| Tillage-induced increases in carbon dioxide loss from soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanderman J, Baldock J, Hawke B, Macdonald L, Massis-Puccini A, Szarvas S (2011) ‘National soil carbon research programme: Field and laboratory methodologies.’ (CSIRO Land and Water: Urrbrae, S. Aust.)
Six J, Elliott ET, Paustian K (1999) Aggregate and soil organic matter dynamics under conventional and no-tillage systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 63, 1350–1358.
| Aggregate and soil organic matter dynamics under conventional and no-tillage systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Six J, Conant RT, Paul EA, Paustian K (2002) Stabilization mechanisms of soil organic matter: Implications for C-saturation of soils. Plant and Soil 241, 155–176.
| Stabilization mechanisms of soil organic matter: Implications for C-saturation of soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith P, Martino D, Cai Z, Gwary D, Janzen H, Kumar P, McCarl B, Ogle S, O’Mara F, Rice C, Scholes B, Sirotenko O, Howden M, McAllister T, Pan G, Romanenkov V, Schneider U, Towprayoon S, Wattenbach M, Smith J (2008) Greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences 363, 789–813.
| Greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17827109PubMed |
Snyder CS, Bruulsema TW, Jensen TL, Fixen PE (2009) Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 133, 247–266.
| Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soil Survey Staff (2010) ‘Keys to Soil Taxonomy.’ (Natural Resources Conservation Services of the United States Department of Agriculture: Washington, DC)
van Groenigen KJ, Hastings A, Forristal D, Roth B, Jones M, Smith P (2011) Soil C storage as affected by tillage and straw management: An assessment using field measurements and model predictions. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 140, 218–225.
| Soil C storage as affected by tillage and straw management: An assessment using field measurements and model predictions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
von Lützow M, Kögel-Knabner I, Ekschmitt K, Matzner E, Guggenberger G, Marschner B, Flessa H (2006) Stabilization of organic matter in temperate soils: Mechanisms and their relevance under different soil conditions – a review. European Journal of Soil Science 57, 426–445.
| Stabilization of organic matter in temperate soils: Mechanisms and their relevance under different soil conditions – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Willson TC, Paul EA, Harwood RR (2001) Biologically active soil organic matter fractions in sustainable cropping systems. Applied Soil Ecology 16, 63–76.
| Biologically active soil organic matter fractions in sustainable cropping systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zsolnay Á (2003) Dissolved organic matter: Artefacts, definitions, and functions. Geoderma 113, 187–209.
| Dissolved organic matter: Artefacts, definitions, and functions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
