. Resilient, productive soils are necessary to sustainably intensify
agriculture to increase yields while minimizing environmental harm. To
conserve and regenerate productive soils, the need to maintain and build soil
organic matter (SOM) has received considerable attention. Although SOM is
considered key to soil health, its relationship with yield is contested
because of local-scale differences in soils, climate, and farming systems.
There is a need to quantify this relationship to set a general framework for
how soil management could potentially contribute to the goals of sustainable
intensification. We developed a quantitative model exploring how SOM relates
to crop yield potential of maize and wheat in light of co-varying factors of
management, soil type, and climate. We found that yields of these two crops
are on average greater with higher concentrations
of SOC (soil organic carbon). However, yield
increases level off at ∼2  % SOC. Nevertheless, approximately
two-thirds of the world's cultivated maize and wheat lands currently have SOC
contents of less than 2 %. Using this regression relationship developed
from published empirical data, we then estimated how an increase in SOC
concentrations up to regionally specific targets could potentially help
reduce reliance on nitrogen (N) fertilizer and help close global yield gaps.
Potential N fertilizer reductions associated with increasing SOC amount to
7 % and 5 % of global N fertilizer inputs across maize and wheat
fields, respectively. Potential yield increases of 10±11  %
(mean  ±  SD) for maize and 23±37  % for wheat amount to 32 %
of the projected yield gap for maize and 60 % of that for wheat. Our
analysis provides a global-level prediction for relating SOC to crop yields.
Further work employing similar approaches to regional and local data, coupled
with experimental work to disentangle causative effects of SOC on yield and
vice versa, is needed to provide practical prescriptions to incentivize soil
management for sustainable intensification.

/pdf/global-meta-analysis-of-the-relationship-between-soil-41n3fur6kt.pdf

Global meta-analysis of the relationship between soil organic matter and crop yields

Sensitivity of labile carbon fractions to tillage and organic matter management and their potential as comprehensive soil quality indicators across pedoclimatic conditions in Europe

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) management practices (e.g., conservation tillage, cover crops, and biochar applications) have been widely adopted to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity. However, current measurements regarding the influences of CSA management practices on SOC sequestration diverge widely, making it difficult to derive conclusions about individual and combined CSA management effects and bringing large uncertainties in quantifying the potential of the agricultural sector to mitigate climate change. We conducted a meta-analysis of 3,049 paired measurements from 417 peer-reviewed articles to examine the effects of three common CSA management practices on SOC sequestration as well as the environmental controlling factors. We found that, on average, biochar applications represented the most effective approach for increasing SOC content (39%), followed by cover crops (6%) and conservation tillage (5%). Further analysis suggested that the effects of CSA management practices were more pronounced in areas with relatively warmer climates or lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that, through adopting CSA practices, cropland could be an improved carbon sink. We also highlight the importance of considering local environmental factors (e.g., climate and soil conditions and their combination with other management practices) in identifying appropriate CSA practices for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring crop productivity.

Responses of soil carbon sequestration to climate-smart agriculture practices: A meta-analysis.

To improve C sequestration in soils and mitigate climate change, it is essential to understand how nutrient management strategies impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and labile fractions. This study was designed to explore changes in soil bulk density (BD), SOC concentrations, SOC stocks and soil labile organic C fractions (mineralizable C (Cmin), microbial biomass C (MBC), dissolved organic C (DOC), particulate organic C (POC), light fraction organic C (LFOC) and permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO 4 -C)) under 26-year fertilization regimes in a wheat-maize rotation system in the North China Plain. Soil from the following six treatments was analyzed: (1) Control with no amendment addition (CK); (2) Standard rate of mineral fertilizer treatment (SMF) reflecting local farmers' practice; (3) Standard rate of organic manure treatment (SMA) with total N input equal to SMF; (4) Half the standard rate of mineral fertilizer plus half the standard rate of organic manure treatment (1/2 SMF + 1/2 SMA); (5) Double standard rate of mineral fertilizer treatment (DMF); (6) Double standard rate of organic manure treatment (DMA). Results showed that all long-term fertilization regimes significantly decreased BD in topsoil compared to CK except for SMF, with treatments that included organic manure resulting in the lowest BDs. Treatments that included organic manure had significantly higher SOC concentrations and stocks than mineral or unfertilized treatments. The organic manure treatments also had higher concentrations of non-labile C but at the same time a higher proportion of labile C than the mineral or unfertilized treatments. This was confirmed by the carbon management index (CMI) which was significantly increased by organic manure addition. Control and mineral fertilized treatments had higher efficiencies of C retention (RE) from added inputs (crop residues only). Differences in Cmin, POC and KMnO 4 -C were affected by differences in MA-C, however, changes in rhizodeposition-C, stubble-C and root-C significantly affected DOC, MBC and LFOC. This study demonstrates that fertilization strategies that include organic manure can increase the pool of stable C in the surface soil layer, while at the same time increasing concentrations and proportions of labile C. Organic manure use can therefore contribute to improved nutrient cycling services and higher soil quality in the North China Plain.

/pdf/soil-labile-organic-carbon-fractions-and-soil-organic-carbon-1esusgj1p4.pdf

Soil labile organic carbon fractions and soil organic carbon stocks as affected by long-term organic and mineral fertilization regimes in the North China Plain

Temperature effects on soil organic carbon, soil labile organic carbon fractions, and soil enzyme activities under long-term fertilization regimes

Long-term effects of no-tillage management practice on soil organic carbon and its fractions in the northern China

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Long-term effects of no-tillage management practice on soil organic carbon and its fractions in the northern China