Crop Management for Soil Carbon Sequestration

Jarecki, Marek K.; Lal, Rattan

doi:10.1080/713608318

Cited by 320 publications

(201 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…Diverse crop rotations including legumes, which are typical for organic farming, should have a measurable effect on SOC, a suggested by a review by Jarecki and Lal (2003). In this study, where 'different rotation' always meant a higher diversity in ORG, differences between crop rotations appeared to be a factor of minor importance for the rate of SOC change.…”

Section: Discussion Factors Causing Differences In Socmentioning

confidence: 56%

Organic Farming and Soil Carbon Sequestration: What Do We Really Know About the Benefits?

Leifeld

Fuhrer

2010

AMBIO

141

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Organic farming is believed to improve soil fertility by enhancing soil organic matter (SOM) contents. An important co-benefit would be the sequestration of carbon from atmospheric CO 2 . Such a positive effect has been suggested based on data from field experiments though many studies were not designed to address the issue of carbon sequestration. The aim of our study was to examine published data in order to identify possible flaws such as missing a proper baseline, carbon mass measurements, or lack of a clear distinction between conventional and organic farming practices, thereby attributing effects of specific practices to organic farming, which are not uniquely organic. A total of 68 data sets were analyzed from 32 peer-reviewed publications aiming to compare conventional with organic farming. The analysis revealed that after conversion, soil C content (SOC) in organic systems increased annually by 2.2% on average, whereas in conventional systems SOC did not change significantly. The majority of publications reported SOC concentrations rather than amounts thus neglecting possible changes in soil bulk density. 34 out of 68 data sets missed a true control with well-defined starting conditions. In 37 out of 50 cases, the amount of organic fertilizer in the organic system exceeded that applied in the compared conventional system, and in half of the cases crop rotations differed between systems. In the few studies where crop rotation and organic fertilization were comparable in both systems no consistent difference in SOC was found. From this data analysis, we conclude that the claim for beneficial effects of organic farming on SOC is premature and that reported advantages of organic farming for SOC are largely determined by higher and often disproportionate application of organic fertilizer compared to conventional farming.

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Section: Discussion Factors Causing Differences In Socmentioning

confidence: 56%

Organic Farming and Soil Carbon Sequestration: What Do We Really Know About the Benefits?

Leifeld

Fuhrer

2010

AMBIO

141

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“…7-group B) and increased efficiency in the use of nutrients (Jarecki and Lal 2003). This can be achieved by efficient management practices such as diversifying crop successions, reducing tillage, and planting cover crops (group B) (West and Post 2002;Jarecki and Lal 2003). Furthermore, legume crops (groups A or B, as green manure) can increase N pools and N use efficiency in rotation (Drinkwater et al 1998;Dabney et al 2001).…”

Section: Multiple Cropping Systems To Reduce Environmental Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is encouraged by systems that minimize soil disturbance and maximize the retention of crop residues (mulching, Fig. 7-group B) and increased efficiency in the use of nutrients (Jarecki and Lal 2003). This can be achieved by efficient management practices such as diversifying crop successions, reducing tillage, and planting cover crops (group B) (West and Post 2002;Jarecki and Lal 2003).…”

Section: Multiple Cropping Systems To Reduce Environmental Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple cropping systems as drivers for providing multiple ecosystem services: from concepts to design

Gaba

Lescourret

Boudsocq

et al. 2014

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

286

190

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Provisioning services, such as the production of food, feed, and fiber, have always been the main focus of agriculture. Since the 1950s, intensive cropping systems based on the cultivation of a single crop or a single cultivar, in simplified rotations or monocultures, and relying on extensive use of agrochemical inputs have been preferred to more diverse, self-sustaining cropping systems, regardless of the environmental consequences. However, there is increasing evidence that such intensive agroecosystems have led to a decline in biodiversity as well as threatening the environment and have damaged a number of ecosystem services such as the biogeochemical nutrient cycles and the regulation of climate and water quality. Consequently, the current challenge facing agriculture is to ensure the future of food production while reducing the use of inputs and limiting environmental impacts and the loss of biodiversity. Here, we review examples of multiple cropping systems that aim to use biotic interactions to reduce chemical inputs and provide more ecosystem services than just provisioning. Our main findings are the identification of underlying ecological processes and management strategies related to the provision of pairs of ecosystem services namely food production and a regulation service. We also found gaps between ecological knowledge and the constraints of agricultural practices in taking account of the interactions and possible trade-offs between multiple ecosystem services as well as socioeconomic constraints. We present guidelines for the design of multiple cropping systems combining ecological, agricultural, and genetic concepts and approaches.

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“…This interest is evidenced by the large number of studies into this topic. Jarecki and Lal (2003), through the review of 220 references, point out the need for adoption of what they call ''recommended management practices'' that will help fill the large C sink in the world's agricultural soils. Such management strategies include crop rotations and tillage practices, cover crops, ley farming, agroforestry, use of organic waste materials, N fertilization, precision farming, and irrigation.…”

Section: Soil Organic Carbon Changes In Diversified Rotations Of the mentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Organic Carbon Changes in Diversified Rotations of the Western Corn Belt

Varvel¹

2008

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Crop Management for Soil Carbon Sequestration

Cited by 320 publications

References 163 publications

Organic Farming and Soil Carbon Sequestration: What Do We Really Know About the Benefits?

Organic Farming and Soil Carbon Sequestration: What Do We Really Know About the Benefits?

Multiple cropping systems as drivers for providing multiple ecosystem services: from concepts to design

Soil Organic Carbon Changes in Diversified Rotations of the Western Corn Belt

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