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Crop traits drive soil carbon sequestration under organic farming
- Source :
- Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Wiley, In press, 55 (5), pp.2496-2505. ⟨10.1111/1365-2664.13113⟩, Journal of Applied Ecology 55 (2018) 5, Journal of Applied Ecology, Wiley, In press, ⟨10.1111/1365-2664.13113⟩, Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(5), 2496-2505
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- HAL CCSD, 2018.
-
Abstract
- 1. Organic farming (OF) enhances top soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in croplands compared with conventional farming (CF), which can contribute to sequester C. As farming system differences in the amount of C inputs to soil (e.g. fertilization and crop residues) are not enough to explain such increase, shifts in crop residue traits important for soil C losses such as litter decomposition may also play a role. 2. To assess whether crop residue (leaf and root) traits determined SOC sequestration responses to OF, we coupled a global meta-analysis with field measurements across a European-wide network of sites. In the meta-analysis, we related crop species averages of leaf N, leaf-dry matter content, fine-root C and N, with SOC stocks and sequestration responses in OF vs. CF. Across six European sites, we measured the management-induced changes in SOC stocks and leaf litter traits after long-term ecological intensive (e.g. OF) vs. CF comparisons. 3. Our global meta-analysis showed that the positive OF-effects on soil respiration, SOC stocks, and SOC sequestration rates were significant even in organic farms with low manure application rates. Although fertilization intensity was the main driver of OF-effects on SOC, leaf and root N concentrations also played a significant role. Across the six European sites, changes towards higher leaf litter N in CF also promoted lower SOC stocks. 4. Our results highlight that crop species displaying traits indicative of resource-acquisitive strategies (e.g. high leaf and root N) increase the difference in SOC between OF and CF. Indeed, changes towards higher crop residue decomposability was related with decreased SOC stocks under CF across European sites. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study emphasizes that, with management, changes in crop residue traits contribute to the positive effects of organic farming (OF) on soil carbon sequestration. These results provide a clear message to land managers: the choice of crop species, and more importantly their functional traits (e.g. leave and root nitrogen), should be considered in addition to management practices and climate, when evaluating the potential of OF for climate change mitigation.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Crop residue
[SDV.SA.SDS]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Soil study
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Soil quality
climate change mitigation
Soil respiration
ecological intensification
organic farming
soil carbon stocks
"Organics" in general
Bodembiologie
2. Zero hunger
Topsoil
Ecology
leaf nitrogen
Intensive farming
fungi
food and beverages
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Soil Biology
15. Life on land
Plant litter
PE&RC
resource economics traits
Manure
[SDE.ES]Environmental Sciences/Environmental and Society
meta-analysis
Agronomy
13. Climate action
crop residue
040103 agronomy & agriculture
Organic farming
0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
Environmental science
sense organs
[SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00218901 and 13652664
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology, Wiley, In press, 55 (5), pp.2496-2505. ⟨10.1111/1365-2664.13113⟩, Journal of Applied Ecology 55 (2018) 5, Journal of Applied Ecology, Wiley, In press, ⟨10.1111/1365-2664.13113⟩, Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(5), 2496-2505
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....20a1f74b8220cbfc7231a044e43c92a5