Against the background of climate change mitigation, organic amendments (OA) may contribute to store carbon (C) in soils, given that the OA provide a sufficient stability and resistance to degradation. In terms of the evaluation of OA behavior in soil, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and the ratio of TOC to TN (CN-ratio) are important basic indicators. Hot-water extractable carbon (hwC) and nitrogen (hwN) as well as their ratios to TOC and TN are appropriate to characterize a labile pool of organic matter. As for quickly determining these properties, mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) in combination with calibrations based on machine learning methods are potentially capable of analyzing various OA attributes. Recently available portable devices (pMIRS) might replace established benchtop devices (bMIRS) as they have potential for on-site measurements that would facilitate the workflow. Here, we used non-linear support vector machines (SVM) to calibrate prediction models for a heterogeneous dataset of greenwaste composts and biochar compost substrates (BCS) (n = 45) using bMIRS and pMIRS instruments on ground samples. Calibrated models for both devices were validated on separate test sets and showed similar results. Ten OA were sieved to particle size classes (psc’s) of >4 mm, 2–4 mm, 0.5–2 mm, and <0.5 mm. A universal SVM model was then developed for all OA and psc’s (n = 162) via pMIRS. Validation revealed that the models provided reliable predictions for most parameters (R2 = 0.49–0.93; ratio of performance to interquartile distance (RPIQ) = 1.19–5.70). We conclude that (i) the examined parameters are sensitive towards chemical composition of OA as well as particle size distribution and can therefore be used as indicators for labile carbon and nitrogen pools of OA, (ii) prediction models based on SVM and pMIRS are a feasible approach to predict the examined C and N pools in organic amendments and their particle size class, and (iii) pMIRS can provide valuable information for optimized application of OA on cultivated soils at low costs and efforts.
<p>Soils in perennial cropping systems, such as vineyards, have good prospects for storing carbon since less management is required with minimum disturbance to the soil that might prevent rapid turnover of organic matter. In addition, incorporation of organic matter into the subsoil instead of conventional topsoil application might increase its resistance to decomposition through physical isolation and the buildup of organo-mineral complexes. However, the stability of organic matter in agricultural land could also be highly dependent on individual systems, soil properties and climatic conditions.</p><p>In our study, the stability of high carbon organic materials (i.e., compost and a Terra Preta-like material) after deep (30-60 cm) incorporation into the soil of a vineyard in western Germany was investigated with respect to greenhouse gas emissions. Portable gas analyzers were used for long-term in-situ monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. Additional parameters quantified were soil redox potential using Pt electrodes and the concentration of greenhouse gases in the pore space of the soil using air samplers.</p><p>The deeply incorporated soil organic amendments showed good stability with respect to N<sub>2</sub>O and CH<sub>4</sub> emission, whereas 30.4% and 51.7% of the compost and the Terra Preta-like material, respectively, was decomposed and released as atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> after two years of observation. Oxygen availability at different soil depths throughout the sampling period, indicated by redox potential values of 300 to 700 mV, played a role in the turnover of organic matter in the treatments. Higher CO<sub>2</sub> concentration in the treatments in the deeper soil layer (30-50 cm) compared to the control was also consistent with higher CO<sub>2</sub> emission at the soil surface.</p><p>To investigate the site-specific influence on the stability of organic matter, the emission of greenhouse gases will also be quantified in different vineyards at different locations with similar management. &#160;</p>
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