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Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2016 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Health of agricultural soils depends largely on conservation management to promote soil organic matter accumulation. Total soil organic matter changes slowly, but active fractions are more dynamic. A key indicator of healthy soil is potential biological activity, which can be measured rapidly with the flush of CO2 during 1 to 3 d following rewetting of dried soil. The flush of CO2 is related to soil microbial biomass C and has repeatedly been shown strongly related to net N mineralization during standard aerobic incubations. Emerging research is documenting the close association with plant dry matter production and N uptake. The flush of CO2 following rewetting of dried soil should be considered a key indicator of soil health assessment. |
