Core Ideas Removal of corn and sorghum residues did not affect soil carbon under no‐tillage. Soil carbon (0–15 cm) increased in 10‐yr stands of switchgrass and miscanthus. Soil carbon increased with root biomass, fungi abundance, and soil aggregate size. Perennial crops improved soil health while providing feedstock for biofuels. The substitution of cellulosic biofuel in place of conventional fuels could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation. However, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil health during biofuel crop production could have a major impact on the GHG balance of biofuels. We assessed temporal changes (10 yr) in SOC stocks to a 90 cm depth in Cumulic Hapludolls from central Kansas under perennial and annual cropping systems. The perennial crops were miscanthus (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). The annual cropping systems were continuous corn (Zea mays L.), and corn, dual purpose–grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), sweet sorghum, and photoperiod‐sensitive sorghum (PS) in rotation with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. All standing aboveground biomass was removed at harvest of corn, sorghum, and perennial crops. Stocks of SOC increased in the 0–15 cm depth under switchgrass and miscanthus by 0.8 and 1.3 Mg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The SOC stocks did not change at the other depths or at any depth in the annual cropping systems nor throughout the soil profile under any crops. Root biomass measured in the seventh year of the study was 3.7 to 7.8 times greater in perennials than in annual crops. Increases on SOC were correlated with greater root biomass, abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizae and saprophytic fungi, and soil aggregate diameter. These results demonstrate the potential for perennial biofuel crops to enhance C sequestration and improve soil quality while providing feedstock for production of cellulosic biofuel.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.