Influence of legume crops on content of organic carbon in sandy soil

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a 3-year field experiment designed to evaluate the content of organic carbon in brown soil (Haplic Cambisol Dystric) developed from a light loamy sand under legumes cultivation. Experimental factors were: species of legume crop (colorful-blooming pea(Pisum sativum), chickling vetch(Lathyrus sativus), narrow-leafed lupin(Lupinus angustifolius), methods of legumes tillage (legumes in pure culture and in mixture with naked oats) and mineral N fertilization (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N·ha−1). Cultivation of legumes on sandy soil did not result in an increase of organic carbon content in the soil after harvest as compared to the initial situation, i.e. 7.39 vs. 7.76 g·kg−1dry matter (DM), on average, respectively. However, there was the beneficial effect of this group of plants on soil abundance in organic matter, the manifestation of which was higher content of organic carbon in soils after legume harvest as compared to soils with oats grown (7.21 g·kg−1DM, on average). Among experimental crops, cultivation of pea exerted the most positive action to organic carbon content (7.58 g·kg−1, after harvest, on average), whereas narrow-leaved lupin had the least effect on organic carbon content (7.23 g·kg−1, on average). Pure culture and greater intensity of legume cultivation associated with the use of higher doses of mineral nitrogen caused less reduction in organic carbon content in soils after harvest.

Selected Properties of Soils for Long-Term Use in Organic Farming

“…The main emphasis in this system is put on the use of soil ecosystem for nitrogen fixation. The use of appropriate crop rotation and accompanying agricultural engineering, with the use of plants that enrich soil with nitrogen, is the foundation of crop production in the organic system [27]. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation can be, however, disturbed in acidic soils (with inadequate structure) and in soils in which the equilibrium between elements has been disturbed [28].…”

Legume Cover Crops as One of the Elements of Strategic Weed Management and Soil Quality Improvement. A Review

“…The legume-based rotations are more efficient in converting biomass C into SOC in compression to the grass-based rotation. Hajduk et al [210] suggest that the inclusion of legumes in rotation has the potential to guarantee the in-situ availability of N, which in turn played a vital role in generating higher biomass C. It also promotes the release of C via root exudation in to the rhizospheric zone. N fixed by the root nodules of legumes also accelerates the C sequestration potential of succeeding crop in the rotation, by improved microbial functionaries and biomass production by successive crop.…”

Biotical cycle in single-crop sowing and mixed agrophytocenosis of forage crops

“…The deep root systems of a number of legume species facilitate the exchange of nutrients by root exudates and their absorption/recirculation, as well as the infiltration of water into deeper soil layers. The impact of legumes on soil carbon sequestration is more pronounced for forage, green manure and cover crops, which return organic C and N to the soil and release hydrogen gas, which promotes the development of nodules of symbiotic nitrogen-bonding bacteria in the rhizosphere [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Some legume crops are able to mobilize the bonded forms of soil phosphorus by secreting organic acids (citrate and malate) and other P-mobilizing compounds from their roots [22].…”