Effects of agricultural management on soil organic matter and carbon transformation - a review

• Published in: Plant, soil and environment Vol. 52; no. 12; pp. 531 - 543
• Main Authors: Liu, X.,Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin (China). Key Lab. of Black Soil Ecology, Herbert, S.J.,University of Massachusetts, Amherst (USA). Dept. of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, Hashemi, A.M.,University of Massachusetts, Amherst (USA). Dept. of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, Zhang, X.,Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin (China). Key Lab. of Black Soil Ecology, Ding, G.,Northern State Univ., Aberdeen (USA). Chemistry Dept
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 31.12.2006
• Subjects: agricultural management; AZOTE; BIOLOGIA DEL SUELO; BIOLOGIE DU SOL; CALIDAD; CARBON; CARBONE; CARBONO; CHIMIE DU SOL; CROP RESIDUES; CROP ROTATION; CULTIVATION; CULTIVO; DURABILITE; FECONDATION; FECUNDACION; FERTILIZATION; GESTION DU SOL; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_1301; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_16118; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2018; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2863; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_33560; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_35657; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4915; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_5192; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6400; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6662; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7156; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7160; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7161; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7176; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7182; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7771; LABRANZA; MANEJO DEL SUELO; MATERIA ORGANICA DEL SUELO; MATIERE ORGANIQUE DU SOL; MONOCULTIVO; MONOCULTURE; NITROGEN; NITROGENO; PRATIQUE CULTURALE; PROPIEDADES FISICO - QUIMICAS SUELO; PROPRIETE PHYSICOCHIMIQUE DU SOL; QUALITE; QUALITY; QUIMICA DEL SUELO; RESIDU DE RECOLTE; RESIDUOS DE COSECHAS; ROTACION DE CULTIVOS; ROTATION CULTURALE; SOIL; SOIL BIOLOGY; SOIL CHEMICOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES; SOIL CHEMISTRY; SOIL MANAGEMENT; soil organic carbon; SOIL ORGANIC MATTER; soil tillage; SOL; SOSTENIBILIDAD; SUELO; SUSTAINABILITY; TILLAGE; TRAVAIL DU SOL
• ISSN: 1214-1178; 1805-9368
• DOI: 10.17221/3544-pse

In this review, we summarized how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilization and monoculture affect soil quality, soil organic matter (SOM) and C transformation. The results confirm that SOM is not only a source of C but also a sink for C sequestration. Cultivation and tillage can reduce soil organic carbon (SOC) content and lead to soil deterioration. Tillage practices have a major effect on distribution of C and N, and the rates of organic matter decomposition and N mineralization. Proper adoption of crop rotation can increase or maintain the quantity and quality of SOM, and improve soil chemical and physical properties. Adequate application of fertilizers combined with farmyard manure could increase soil nutrients and SOC content. Manure or crop residue alone may not be adequate to maintain SOC levels. Crop types influence SOC and soil function in continuous monoculture systems. SOC can be best preserved by rotation with reduced tillage frequency and with additions of chemical fertilizers and manure. Knowledge and assessment of changes (positive or negative) in SOC status with time is still needed to evaluate the impact of different management practices.