Temporal Dynamics of Water Stable Aggregates and Carbon Sequestration in Continuous Corn and Corn-Soybean Rotation Systems in Illinois
Session Number
Project ID: ENVR 03
Advisor(s)
Pei-Chen Lee, University of Illinois Champaign Urbana, Department of Crop Sciences
Andrew J. Margenot, University of Illinois Champaign Urbana, Department of Crop Sciences
Discipline
Environmental Science
Start Date
17-4-2024 9:20 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 9:35 AM
Abstract
Aggregates are an important indicator of soil fertility, playing a crucial role in stabilizing soil structure and sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC). Research indicates that factors such as crop rotation and cultivation years can impact aggregate stability and SOC sequestration. However, there has been a lack of information on how these factors could influence the stability and SOC concentration of aggregates under long term cultivation. While some studies have found corn- soybean system reduced the aggregates stability and carbon sequestration compared to continuous corn system, other studies shown higher aggregate stability when incorporating soybeans into young cropping system. These findings suggest that while corn-soybean system may initially increase aggregate stability, the carbon sequestration may not sustain over the long term.
To further explore aggregates stability and SOC sequestration, this study employs aggregate fractionation and stable isotope 13C analysis to compare the distribution and temporal changes of water-stable aggregates in paired continuous corn and corn-soybean systems soils. Additionally, using isotopic measurements, this study aims to quantify soybean-derived carbon storage in stable aggregates over time in corn-soybean systems, contributing to estimating soil carbon sequestration.
Temporal Dynamics of Water Stable Aggregates and Carbon Sequestration in Continuous Corn and Corn-Soybean Rotation Systems in Illinois
Aggregates are an important indicator of soil fertility, playing a crucial role in stabilizing soil structure and sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC). Research indicates that factors such as crop rotation and cultivation years can impact aggregate stability and SOC sequestration. However, there has been a lack of information on how these factors could influence the stability and SOC concentration of aggregates under long term cultivation. While some studies have found corn- soybean system reduced the aggregates stability and carbon sequestration compared to continuous corn system, other studies shown higher aggregate stability when incorporating soybeans into young cropping system. These findings suggest that while corn-soybean system may initially increase aggregate stability, the carbon sequestration may not sustain over the long term.
To further explore aggregates stability and SOC sequestration, this study employs aggregate fractionation and stable isotope 13C analysis to compare the distribution and temporal changes of water-stable aggregates in paired continuous corn and corn-soybean systems soils. Additionally, using isotopic measurements, this study aims to quantify soybean-derived carbon storage in stable aggregates over time in corn-soybean systems, contributing to estimating soil carbon sequestration.