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Carbon sequestration in agroecosystems represents a significant opportunity to offset a portion of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Climatic conditions in the Virginia coastal plain and modern production practices make it possible for high annual photosynthetic CO2 fixation. There is potential to sequester a substantial amount of C, and concomitantly improve soil quality, with the elimination of tillage for crop production in this region. The objectives of our research were to: (1) measure C sequestration rate with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems of the Virginia middle coastal plain; (2) determine the influence of biosolids application history on C content and its interaction with tillage management; and (3) evaluate the impact of continuous no-till C stratification as an indicator of soil quality. Samples were collected from 63 sites in production fields using a rotation of corn (Zea mays L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)/soybean double-crop (Glysine max L.) across three soil series [Bojac (coarse-loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults), Altavista (fine-loamy, mixed semiactive, thermic Aquic Hapludults), and Kempsville (fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludults)] with a history of continuous no-till management ranging from 0 to 14 years. Thirty-two of the sites had a history of biosolids application. Five soil cores were collected at each site from 0-2.5, 2.5-7.5 and 7.5-15 cm and analyzed for bulk density and soil C. Bulk density in the 0-2.5 cm layer decreased and C stratification ratio (0-2.5 cm:7.5-15 cm) increased with increasing duration of continuous no-till due to the accumulation of organic matter at the soil surface. A history of biosolids application resulted in an increase of 4.19 ± 1.93 Mg C ha-1 (0-15 cm). Continuous no-till resulted in the sequestration of 0.308 ± 0.280 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 (0-15 cm). Our results provide quantitative validation of the C sequestration rate and improved soil quality with continuous no-till management in the region using on-farm observations. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cataloging Information
- agriculture
- biosolids
- carbon
- carbon dioxide
- carbon sequestration
- coastal plain
- croplands
- decomposition
- ecosystem dynamics
- fire dependent species
- Glycine max
- histories
- Hordeum
- Hordeum vulgare
- no-till
- organic matter
- photosynthesis
- soil management
- soil nutrients
- soil organic matter
- soil permeability
- soil quality
- soils
- statistical analysis
- tillage
- Triticum
- Triticum aestivum
- Virginia
- Zea
- Zea mays
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