Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Labile carbon dynamics under initial transition to regenerative agriculture

Dibakar Roy; Ritesh Kundu; Ashim Datta; Biswapati Mandal; Subhadip Paul; Sheetal Sharma; Jagdish Kumar Ladha

Soil Security · 2026

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Summary

This study investigates the dynamics of labile soil carbon fractions during the early stages of transitioning from conventional to regenerative agricultural practices, likely in an Indian arable context given the authorship affiliations. Labile carbon pools are recognised as early and sensitive indicators of soil health change, making them particularly relevant for evaluating whether regenerative practices produce measurable soil benefits within short timeframes. The paper likely contributes evidence on the pace and pattern of soil carbon improvement under regenerative management, informing expectations for farmers and policymakers during what is often a challenging transition period.

UK applicability

The study is likely conducted in an Indo-Gangetic Plain context, so direct transferability to UK soils and climate is limited; however, the principle that labile carbon fractions respond more rapidly than total organic carbon to management change is broadly applicable to UK arable transitions toward regenerative systems.

Key measures

Labile carbon fractions (microbial biomass carbon, permanganate-oxidisable carbon, dissolved organic carbon, light fraction organic carbon); potentially soil organic carbon (g/kg); possibly enzyme activity indices

Outcomes reported

The study likely measured changes in labile carbon pools — such as microbial biomass carbon, permanganate-oxidisable carbon, and dissolved organic carbon — under regenerative agricultural practices compared to conventional management during the initial transition period. It probably assessed how quickly these sensitive carbon fractions respond to management change.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil carbon & organic matter dynamics
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
India
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.soisec.2026.100226
Catalogue ID
NRmo3f02hq-073

Topic tags

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