Quantitative framework for estimating minimum residue to maintain soil organic carbon

Authors: OJEKANMI, ABIMBOLA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Johnson, Jane

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/11/2020
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Midwestern soils of the United States dominantly are cultivated with corn grown for grain. The non-grain biomass called stover might be used for animal food and biofuel or used for conserving soil quality, health and soil carbon sequestration. Balancing these potential uses of stover identifies a need for an adaptable and quantitative framework to ensure the maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) as a minimum goal. The framework will generate site specific metrics such as minimum amount of residue required to maintain current SOC stock at least within a short- to medium- term frame (5 to 20 years). Other metrics include the estimate of harvestable stover biomass for alternative uses such as cellulosic bioethanol production and creditable amount of SOC in response to actual stover return rates. The framework calibrates the rate of stover input to change in SOC with considerations for initial SOC, residual or inherent SOC, annual rates of stover input and potentials for maintaining or decreasing SOC stock when stover is not retained. Testing and validation of the framework was completed using existing data from the USDA-Agricultural Research Service-cross location projects Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement (GRACEnet) and Resilient Economic Agricultural Practices (REAP). This presentation will demonstrate the application of a simple and adaptable mathematical frameworks in guiding soil management practice that involves sustainable and balanced allocation of stover across Midwestern United States.