Summary
This study identifies mineral availability as a critical regulator of soil carbon stabilisation, demonstrating that organic amendments promote the formation of short-range-ordered minerals that act as binding sites for organic carbon. Through three long-term field experiments and controlled microcosm studies, the authors show that root exudates—particularly citric acid—drive the transformation of soil minerals into more reactive SRO phases, thereby establishing a positive feedback loop for enhanced carbon retention. The findings suggest that soil organic amendment management could be leveraged as a practical strategy for increasing carbon storage capacity in agricultural systems.
UK applicability
These findings are potentially applicable to UK farming contexts, where organic matter management and soil carbon sequestration are priorities under agricultural policy and environmental schemes. However, the transferability depends on confirmation that similar mineral dynamics and root exudate chemistry operate in UK soil types, which vary considerably in their mineralogy and climate conditions.
Key measures
Mineral availability, abundance of short-range-ordered (SRO) mineral phases, soil carbon storage capacity, root exudate composition (citric acid), carbon binding to minerals
Outcomes reported
The study measured mineral availability, short-range-ordered (SRO) mineral phases, and soil carbon storage in response to organic amendments across long-term field experiments and microcosm studies. It quantified the role of root exudates (citric acid) in promoting SRO mineral formation and carbon retention.
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