Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised time-series SOC data from 23 long-term agricultural experiments across temperate and cold regions to evaluate the efficacy of good agricultural practices on soil carbon dynamics. Although SOC generally declined in conventional arable systems, the authors found that reducing tillage, adding organic amendments, diversifying crop rotations, and avoiding bare fallows individually reduced losses; critically, applying all four interventions together achieved net SOC accumulation. The findings suggest that strategic combination of agronomic practices can transform farmland into a carbon sink whilst maintaining agricultural productivity.
UK applicability
The evidence base includes experiments from temperate regions comparable to UK climatic conditions. The four-practice bundle is directly applicable to UK arable policy and practice, potentially supporting net-zero and soil health commitments, though site-specific validation across diverse UK soil types and cropping systems would strengthen adoption evidence.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon content (%) in the upper 30 cm soil layer; absolute SOC changes over time under different management regimes
Outcomes reported
The study quantified absolute changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) in the upper 30 cm across 214 time series from 23 long-term agricultural experiments in temperate to cold regions. It evaluated the effectiveness of four management interventions—reduced tillage, organic amendments, crop rotation diversification, and avoidance of bare fallows—on SOC preservation and accumulation.
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