Summary
This 35-year field experiment provides empirical evidence that long-term accumulation and retention of organic carbon and nitrogen in arable soils are governed primarily by soil structural and chemical protection mechanisms—specifically soil aggregation and mineral-organic complexation—rather than by cumulative nutrient inputs alone. The study maps these stabilisation mechanisms across the soil profile, offering insight into how multi-decadal fertilisation management influences both soil carbon sequestration potential and nitrogen cycling efficiency. The findings suggest that understanding these protective mechanisms is critical for optimising nutrient retention under sustained management.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in China and represents temperate arable conditions typical of North China Plain. Whilst the mechanistic principles of soil aggregation and mineral-organic complexation are universal, the specific response magnitude and optimal fertilisation regimes may differ under United Kingdom conditions, which typically have higher precipitation, different soil types, and distinct thermal regimes. The methodological framework for mapping protection mechanisms across soil profiles may be transferable to UK arable soils.
Key measures
Soil organic carbon content, total nitrogen, soil aggregate stability, mineral-associated organic matter, dissolved organic carbon, soil structural indices across multiple soil depths
Outcomes reported
The study quantified organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation across soil profiles and identified the dominant protection mechanisms (soil aggregation and mineral-organic complexation) governing their retention under contrasting 35-year fertilisation regimes.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.