Summary
This 23-year field study examined how six operationally-defined soil organic carbon pools respond to contrasting amendments (mineral fertiliser, straw, and manure) across three climatically-distinct Chinese soil types. Manure application significantly increased bulk SOC and most sub-pools, whereas straw and mineral amendments showed limited effects. The Luvic Phaeozem (mid-temperate, higher clay) demonstrated substantially higher sequestration efficiency for bulk SOC (27%) and most protected pools, whilst the Calcaric Cambisol exhibited divergent responses due to lower clay content, suggesting that soil mineralogy and climate strongly modulate both the magnitude and mechanism of carbon stabilisation.
UK applicability
The findings on manure-driven SOC accumulation and clay-dependent stabilisation mechanisms are broadly relevant to UK arable and mixed farming systems, particularly in regions with similar temperate soils (e.g. Luvic Phaeozems are found in UK lowlands). However, the study's focus on long-term mineral versus organic amendment regimes may have limited direct applicability to UK organic farming standards and the lower temperature and rainfall dynamics of subtropical and warm-temperate zones studied.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations in six sub-pools; sequestration efficiency (%); build-up ability; soil type (Ferralic Cambisol, Calcaric Cambisol, Luvic Phaeozem); amendment type (mineral, straw, manure); climate zone (subtropic, warm-temperate, mid-temperate)
Outcomes reported
The study quantified six distinct soil organic carbon sub-pools (unprotected, physically, chemically, biochemically, physico-chemically and physico-biochemically protected) and measured their responses to 23 years of mineral, straw, and manure amendments across three soil types. The research evaluated sequestration efficiencies and build-up abilities of bulk SOC and its sub-pools across a climate-soil gradient.
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