Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Cotton Production Systems of the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Past agricultural management practices have contributed to the loss of soil organic carbon (SOC) and emission of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide). Fortunately, however, conservation-oriented agricultural management systems can be, and have been, developed to sequester SOC, improve soil quality, and increase crop productivity. Our objectives were to (i) review literature related to SOC sequestration in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems, (ii) recommend best management practices to sequester SOC, and (iii) outline the current political scenario and future probabilities for cotton producers to benefit from SOC sequestration. From a review of 20 studies in the region, SOC increased with no tillage compared with conventional tillage by 0.48 +/- 0.56 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) (H(0): no change, p < 0.001). More diverse rotations of cotton with high-residue-producing crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and small grains would sequester greater quantities of SOC than continuous cotton. No-tillage cropping with a cover crop sequestered 0.67 +/- 0.63 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1), while that of no-tillage cropping without a cover crop sequestered 0.34 +/- 47 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) (mean comparison, p = 0.04). Current government incentive programs recommend agricultural practices that would contribute to SOC sequestration. Participation in the Conservation Security Program could lead to government payments of up to Dollars 20 ha(-1). Current open-market trading of C credits would appear to yield less than Dollars 3 ha(-1), although prices would greatly increase should a government policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions be mandated.

Nonhybrid Progeny from Crosses of Dioecious Amaranths: Implications for Gene-Flow Research

“…The development and wide use of glyphosate-resistant crops has facilitated the adoption of conservation tillage practices in the southeast U.S. (Givens et al 2009;Price et al 2011) providing advantages that include fewer trips across the field, reduced soil erosion, greater water infiltration, reduced herbicide loss through runoff and greater carbon accretion (Causarano et al 2006;Potter et al 2004;Triplett and Dick 2008). Between 1994 and 2008, conservation tillage increased 49% for soybean and 85% for cotton ).…”

Living Mulch Performance in a Tropical Cotton System and Impact on Yield and Weed Control

“…A dry matter return of 2 to 3 kg m −2 is required to maintain soil organic carbon levels, but in cotton production systems, dry matter return is typically only 0.8 to 1.2 kg m −2 [3]. Since cotton plants do not produce much leaf litter, preservation of soil organic matter through conservation tillage practices and organic matter inputs using cover crops is especially valuable [4].…”

An Improved ASTER Index for Remote Sensing of Crop Residue

“…Agricultural soils are an important reservoir of carbon globally and are a major component in models of the global carbon cycle [1][2][3][4]. One important input into agricultural soil organic carbon (SOC) models is tillage practice.…”

“…One important input into agricultural soil organic carbon (SOC) models is tillage practice. Conventional tillage practices (Figure 1a) greatly disturb the soil surface and plow under crop residues (i.e., non-photosynthetic vegetation), and can result in a decrease in SOC over time [2]. However, reduced-and conservation tillage (Figure 1b), which minimally disturb the soil surface and crop residues, allow for the sequestration of atmospheric carbon to the OPEN ACCESS soil [2].…”

“…Conventional tillage practices (Figure 1a) greatly disturb the soil surface and plow under crop residues (i.e., non-photosynthetic vegetation), and can result in a decrease in SOC over time [2]. However, reduced-and conservation tillage (Figure 1b), which minimally disturb the soil surface and crop residues, allow for the sequestration of atmospheric carbon to the OPEN ACCESS soil [2]. Reduced-and conservation tillage methods require fewer passes over the soil with farm machinery, thus saving fuel and further reducing net agricultural greenhouse gas emissions [5,6].…”