Soil organic carbon stocks and carbon dynamics under organic and conventional farming systems in Indo-Gangetic Plains

HARDEEP SINGH SHEORAN; V K PHOGAT; RITA DAHIYA; RIDHAM KAKAR

doi:10.56093/ijas.v89i5.89663

Authors

HARDEEP SINGH SHEORAN Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125 004, India
V K PHOGAT Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125 004, India
RITA DAHIYA Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana 125 004, India
RIDHAM KAKAR Haryana Space Applications Centre, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v89i5.89663

Keywords:

Carbon fractions, Carbon stocks, Farming practices, Soil organic carbon

Abstract

The long-term effect of organic farming practices were evaluated on soil organic carbon stocks (SCS) and its fractions in texturally divergent soils of Haryana. Surface (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected from 25 organic farms and adjoining conventional farms from 11 districts of Haryana. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions, viz. light fraction C (LOC), particulate organic C (POC) and mineral associated C (MOC). Results revealed that shifting from conventional to organic farming had no effect on soil pH and EC but reduced the CaCO3 significantly (P<0.05). Soil under organic farming exhibited a significant increase in the SOC from 5.1 to 6.2 g/kg and SCS from 11.2 to 13.3 Mg/ha as compared to soils under conventional farming. The light fraction C was most sensitive to management practices, followed by POC and MOC fraction. The magnitude of increase in LOC, POC and MOC under organic soils was 48.9, 23.6 and 14.7%, respectively as compared to conventionally managed soils. Different organic carbon pools in various fractions followed the order MOC> POC> LOC. The study concluded that shift from conventional to organic farming could be adopted or promoted for sustainable management of soil organic C stocks.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abu-Zahra T R and Tahboub A B. 2008. Effect of organic matter sources on chemical properties of the soil and yield of strawberry under organic farming conditions. World Applied Sciences Journal 5: 383–8.

Aher S B, Lakaria B L, Kaleshananda S, Singh A B, Ramana S, Ramesh K and Thakur J K. 2015. Effect of organic farming practices on soil and performance of soybean (Glycine max) under semi-arid tropical conditions in Central India.Journal of Applied and Natural Science 7: 67–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31018/jans.v7i1.564

Banger K, Toor G S, Biswas A, Sidhu S S and Sudhir K. 2010. Soil organic carbon fractions after 16-years of applications of fertilizers and organic manure in a TypicRhodalfs in semi arid tropics. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 86: 391–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-009-9301-8

Benbi D K, Brar K, Toor A S and Singh P. 2015. Total and labile pools of soil organic carbon in cultivated and undisturbed soils in northern India. Geoderma 237–8: 149–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2014.09.002

Benbi D K, Brar K, Toor A S, Singh P and Singh H. 2012. Soil carbon pools under poplar-based agroforestry, rice- wheat, and maize-wheat cropping systems in semi-arid India. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 92: 107–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-011-9475-8

Benbi D K, Sharma S, Toor A S, Brar K, Sodhi G P S and Garg A K. 2016. Differences in soil organic carbon pools and biological activity between organic and conventionally managed rice-wheat fields.Organic Agriculture 16: 168–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-016-0168-0

Benbi D K, Singh P, Toor A S and Verma G. 2016. Manure and fertilizer application effects on aggregate and mineral-associated organic carbon in a loamy soil under rice-wheat system.Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 47(15): 1828–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2016.1208757

Benbi D K, Toor A S and Kumar S. 2012. Management of organic amendments in rice-wheat cropping system determines the pool where carbon is sequestered. Plant and Soil 360: 145–62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1226-3

Bird M, Santrùkova H, Lloyd J and Lawson E. 2002. The isotopic composition of soil organic carbon on a north-south transectin western Canada.European Journal of Soil Science 53: 393–403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2389.2002.00444.x

Cambardella C A and Elliott E T. 1992. Particulate soil organic-matter changes across a grassland cultivation sequence. Soil Science Society of AmericaJournal 56: 777–83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1992.03615995005600030017x

Campbell C A, Zentner R P, Selles F, Biederbeck V O, McConkey B G, Blomert B and Jefferson P G. 2000. Quantifying short-term effects of crop rotations on soil organic carbon in southwestern Saskatchewan. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 80: 193–202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4141/S99-045

Canqui H B, Charles A, Francis L, Tomie D and Galusha. 2013. Does organic farming accumulate carbon in deeper soil profiles in the long term? Geoderma 288: 213–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.10.031

Advances in soil science. Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton. pp 261–81.

Ding X L, Han X Z, Liang Y, Qiao Y F, Li L J and Li N. 2012. Changes in soil organic carbon pools after 10 years of continuous manuring combined with chemical fertilizer in a Mollisol in China. Soil and Tillage Research 122: 36-41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2012.02.002

Gong W, Yan X Y, Wang J Y, Hu T X and Gong Y B. 2009. Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools under a wheat–maize cropping system in North China Plain.Plant and Soil 314: 67–76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9705-2

Gopalasundaram P, Bhaskaran A and Rakkiyappan P. 2012. Integrated nutrient management in sugarcane. Sugar Tech 14: 3–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-011-0097-x

Hassink J. 1995. Density fractions of soil macro organic matter and microbial biomass as predictors of C and N mineralization. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 27: 1099–1108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(95)00027-C

Herencia J F, Ruiz-porras J C, Melero S, Garciagalavis P A, Morillo E and Maqueda C. 2007. Comparison between organic and mineral fertilization for soil fertility levels, crop macronutrient concentrations and yield. Agronomy Journal 99: 973–83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2006.0168

Jackson M L. 1967. Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

Jadhav A B, Kadlag A D and Amrutsagar V M. 2016. Soil enzyme activities, organic carbon and microbial population as influenced by integrated nitrogen management for Banana. Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science 64: 98–107. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0228.2016.00014.1

Janzen H H, Campbell C A, Brandt S A, Lafond G P and Smith L T. 1992. Light-fraction organic matter in soils from long-term crop rotations. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56: 1799–1806. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1992.03615995005600060025x

Kataki P K, Hobbs P and Adhikari B. 2001. The rice-wheat cropping system of South Asia: trends, constraints and productivity- A prologue. Journal of Crop Production 3: 1–26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J144v03n02_01

Ladha J K, Dawe D, Pathak H, Padre A T and Yadav R L. 2003. How extensive are yield declines in long-term rice-wheat experiments in Asia? Field Crops Research 81: 159–80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4290(02)00219-8

Lal R. 2004. Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climatechange and food security. Science 304: 1623–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1097396

Leifeld J, Reiser R and Oberholzer H R. 2009. Consequences of conventional versus organic farming on soil carbon: Results from a 27-Year Field Experiment. Agronomy Journal 101: 204–1218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2009.0002

Leifeld J and Fuhrer J. 2010. Organic farming and soil carbon sequestration: what do we really know about the benefits? Ambio 39: 585–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-010-0082-8

Liang Q, Chen H Q, Gong Y S, Fan M S, Yang H F, Lal R and Kuzyako Y. 2012. Effects of 15 years of manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil organic carbon fractions in a wheat-maize system in the North China Plain. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 92: 21–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-011-9469-6

MaharjanM, Sanaullah M, Bahar S, Razavi andKuzyakov Y. 2017. Effect of land use and management practices on microbial biomass and enzyme activities in subtropical top-and sub-soils. Applied Soil Ecology 113: 22–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2017.01.008

Majumder B, Mandal B, Bandyopadhyay P K, Gangopadhyay A, Man P K, Kundu A L and Mazumdar D. 2008. Organic amendments influence soil organic carbon pools and rice-wheat productivity. Soil Science Society of America Journal 72: 775–685. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2006.0378

Malhi S S, Nyborg M, Solberg E D, McConkey B, Dyck M and Puurveen D. 2011. Long-term straw management and N fertilizer rate effects on quantity and quality of organic C and N and some chemical properties in two contrasting soils in western Canada. Biology and Fertility of Soils 47: 785–800. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-011-0587-8

Marriott E E and Wander M M 2006. Total and labile soil organic matter in organic and conventional farming systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70: 950–9.

Marriott E E and Wander M M. 2006. Total and labile soil organic matter in organic and conventional farming systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70: 950–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2005.0241

Munda S, Shivakumar B G, Gangaiah B, Rana D S, Manjaiah K M, Lakshman K and Layek J. 2013. Response of soybean (Glycine max) to phosphorus with or without biofertilizer. Indian Journal of Agronomy 58: 86–90.

Nelson D W and Sommers L E. 1996. Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy. 677 Methods of Soil Analysis.Part 3.Chemical Methods-SSSA Book Series no. 5. S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711, USA.

Poirier V, Angers D A, Rochette P and Whalen J K. 2013. Initial soil organic carbon concentration influences the short-term retention of crop-residue carbon in the fine fraction of a heavy clay soil. Biology and Fertiity of Soils 49: 527–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-013-0794-6

Puget P and Drinkwater L E. 2001. Short-term dynamics of root-and shoot-derivedcarbon from a leguminous green manure. Soil Science Society of America Journal 65: 771–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2001.653771x

Puri A N. 1930. A new method of estimating total carbonates in soils. Pusa Bulletin, No. 73, Imperial Agriculture Research, New Delhi.

Richards L A. 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkaline soils. USDA Handbook No. 60. Washington D. C. Estimation of available phosphorus in soil by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. USDA Circular 939.

Sheoran, O P, Tonk D S, Kaushik L S, Hasija R C and Pannu R S. 1998. Statistical software package for agricultural research workers. Recent advances in information theory, Statistics & Computer applications. D S Hooda & R C Hasija (Ed). Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Chaudhary CharanSingh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. pp 139–43.

Sihi D, Sharma D K, Pathak H, Singh Y V, Sharma O P, Nain N, Chaudhary A and Dari B 2012. Effect of organic farming on productivity and quality of basmati rice. International Journal of Rice Research 49: 24–9.

Singh P and Benbi D K. 2018. Nutrient management effects on organic carbon pools in a sandy loam soil under rice-wheat cropping. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Sciences.DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2018.1465564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2018.1465564

Swarup A, Manna M C and Singh G B. 2000.Impact of land use and management practices on organic carbon dynamics in soils of India.(In).Lal R, Kimble J M and Stewart B A (Eds). Global

Thakare R, Chaudhari R D and Zanje H B. 2017.Changes in soil chemical properties due to moisture regimes and sources of organic manures. International Journal of Chemical Studies 5: 875–9.

Von Luetzow M, Koegel-Knabner I, Ekschmitt K, Flessa H, Guggenberger G, Matzner E and Marschner B. 2007. SOM fractionation methods: Relevance to functional pools and to stabilization mechanisms. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39: 2183–207. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.03.007

Walkley A J and Black C A. 1934. Estimation of soil organic carbon by the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37: 29–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003

Whalen J K, Gul S, Poirier V, Yanni S F, Simpson M J, Clemente J S, Feng X, Grayston S J, Barker J, Gregorich E G, Angers D A, Rochette P and Janzen H H. 2014. Transforming plant carbon into soil carbon: process-level controls on carbon sequestration. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 94: 1065–73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps2013-145

Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, He X and Shi X. 2016. Carbon sequestration dynamic, trend and efficiency as affected by 22- year fertilization under a rice-wheat cropping system. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 179: 652–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201500602