Effects of agricultural management on soil organic matter and carbon transformation - a review

Summary

This narrative review synthesises the effects of major agricultural management practices on soil organic matter and carbon transformation, identifying SOC as a critical indicator of soil quality and sustainability. The authors conclude that whilst cultivation and intensive tillage reduce SOC and promote soil deterioration, appropriate crop rotation combined with reduced tillage frequency and the combined application of chemical fertilisers and manure can maintain or enhance SOC levels and soil function. The review highlights that SOC serves dual roles as both a carbon source and a carbon sink for sequestration, and notes that knowledge gaps remain regarding long-term monitoring of management-induced changes in SOC status.

Regional applicability

The review is geographically unspecified and synthesises global literature on soil carbon management. The findings on tillage, rotation, fertilisation and manure application are broadly applicable to United Kingdom arable and mixed farming systems, though specific quantitative recommendations would require validation against UK soil types, climate conditions and contemporary agronomic practices.

Key measures

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content; soil organic matter (SOM) quantity and quality; C and N distribution; organic matter decomposition rates; N mineralisation rates; soil chemical and physical properties

Outcomes reported

The review synthesises how cultivation, crop rotation, residue and tillage management, fertilisation and monoculture practices affect soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC) content, and carbon transformation processes. It identifies SOC as a key indicator of soil quality and agricultural sustainability, and assesses the mechanisms by which different management practices influence carbon sequestration and soil deterioration.

Topic tags