Summary
This meta-analysis of 221 studies (1988–2024) quantifies the global impact of six sustainable land management practices on soil microbial biomass carbon in croplands. Except for inorganic fertilization alone, all practices increased SMBC concentration, with treatment plots averaging 23.5% higher SMBC than controls. The effects varied substantially by environmental context, particularly aridity and soil texture, and integrated fertilisation and crop diversification were most effective across aridity classes, though the combined effects of multiple stressors require context-specific management strategies.
Regional applicability
The findings are globally derived and applicable to United Kingdom arable systems, particularly for informing soil health management in temperate croplands. However, the meta-analysis includes geographically diverse studies; UK-specific effects of these practices may differ due to distinct soil types, climate patterns, and existing management baselines, requiring local field validation.
Key measures
Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) concentration and stocks; effects of organic amendment, inorganic fertilization, integrated fertilization, conservation tillage, crop diversification, and crop residue management; environmental modifiers including aridity and soil texture
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised 221 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate the global effects of six sustainable land management practices on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) in croplands. Treatment plots exhibited on average 23.5% higher SMBC concentration than control plots, with an estimated 27% increase in global SMBC stocks corresponding to approximately 322 million tonnes of microbial carbon across global croplands.
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