Summary
This field study investigates autoclaved-citrate extractable (ACE) protein as a newly established soil health indicator, comparing its dynamics against conventional nitrogen measures across eight management systems ranging from annual cropping to polyculture perennial systems over 33 years in Michigan. Polyculture perennial systems promoting soil health exhibited 2–4 times higher ACE protein concentrations than intensive annual or monoculture perennial systems, and ACE protein showed less seasonal fluctuation than other soil nitrogen pools, suggesting potential utility as a reliable indicator of soil health and sustainable management practice. The observed positive correlation between late-season ACE protein and yield across different systems indicates promise for the metric in predicting productivity, though further investigation of the mechanistic relationship between ACE protein and crop performance is warranted.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in the United States (southwest Michigan) rather than the United Kingdom, though the temperate climate and mixed arable/perennial cropping systems share some similarity with UK farming conditions. Transferability to UK systems would require validation, particularly given potentially different soil types, growing seasons, and management practices; however, the findings on soil protein stability and its relationship to soil health indicators may be conceptually relevant to UK soil health monitoring frameworks and regenerative agriculture adoption.
Key measures
ACE protein concentration (g kg⁻¹), total soil nitrogen, ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N), nitrate-N (NO₃⁻-N), crop yield, measured at four timepoints across a single growing season
Outcomes reported
The study compared autoclaved-citrate extractable (ACE) protein concentrations across eight contrasting management systems over a growing season, and assessed its relationship with other soil nitrogen measures and crop yield. ACE protein showed greater stability than other nitrogen pools and correlated positively with total soil nitrogen and ammonium, whilst negatively correlating with nitrate.
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