Effects of artificial humic acid on decomposition of returning straw and enhancement of carbon sequestration

• Published in: Applied soil ecology : a section of Agriculture, ecosystems & environment Vol. 203; p. 105619
• Main Authors: Peng, Xiong-Xin, Li, Ronghui, Tang, Chunyu, Teng, Wenhao, Cheng, Kui, Liu, Zhuqing, Yang, Fan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Artificial humic acid; carbon dioxide; carbon dioxide fixation; Carbon sequestration; Emission reduction; humic acids; Promotion of decomposition; soil; soil carbon; soil ecology; straw; Straw returning; Emission reduction; Promotion of decomposition; Straw returning; Carbon sequestration; Artificial humic acid
• ISSN: 0929-1393
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105619

Straw returning is one of the commonly used comprehensive utilization methods of straw, but the slow decomposition of straw could affect crop growth. Artificial humic acid (A-HA) can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil and facilitate the growth of soil microorganisms. In a 180-day incubation experiment, A-HA was used as a propulsive activator to study its effects on decomposition, soil carbon fixation and emission reduction of returning straw. The results showed that the decomposition rate of straw increased by 31 % in the presence of artificial humic acid after 180 days. Moreover, A-HA increases the diversity and abundance of soil microorganisms, especially those associated with carbon sequestration, thereby reducing the rate of CO2 emissions. This study improves insights on the application of artificial humic acid in promoting straw decomposition, soil carbon sequestration and emission reduction.