Summary
This field study in mature miscanthus agroecosystems examined how plant-microbial interactions drive soil carbon accumulation with depth in Mollisols to 1 m. Root biomass, enzyme activity, and microbial respiration collectively explained 74% of total soil carbon variability and 38% of mineral-associated organic carbon variability. The results suggest that deep-rooted perennial plants may build persistent soil carbon stocks through reduced priming losses and enhanced microbial necromass production in deeper soil layers.
UK applicability
UK conditions differ substantially from the Midwestern United States climate and Mollisol-Argiudoll soil types studied; direct application would require validation on UK soil series. However, the mechanistic understanding of how perennial rooting depth influences carbon stability could inform UK regenerative agriculture strategies, particularly for deep-rooting species in grassland restoration or agroforestry systems.
Key measures
Fine root biomass, total soil carbon, mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), potential enzyme activity (acid phosphatase and n-acetyl-glucosaminidase), microbial respiration, 13C-labelled glucose incorporation and loss
Outcomes reported
The study quantified how fine root biomass, microbial enzyme activity, and microbial respiration correlate with soil carbon stocks (total C, mineral-associated organic carbon, and particulate organic carbon) to 1 m depth in miscanthus agroecosystems. It measured the fate of glucose-derived carbon inputs with depth to assess susceptibility to priming losses and carbon persistence.
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