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Research Project: Strategies to Support Resilient Agricultural Systems of the Southeastern U.S.

Location: Plant Science Research

Title: Soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage under long term land use

Author
item Franzluebbers, Alan

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2023
Publication Date: 7/3/2023
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2023. Soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage under long term land use. Carolina Cattle Connection. 37(7):14-15.

Interpretive Summary: Farmers are affecting soil organic matter with choice of land use. However, the extent of change in soil organic matter has not been adequately characterized. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the results of sampling soils under conventional-till cropland, no-till cropland, grassland, and woodland on research stations across North Carolina. Soil organic carbon composes 58 percent of organic matter and nitrogen composed approximately 5 percent. Historical, pedogenic processes of soil formation contribute a large portion of natural organic matter in soils, but contemporary land use and management imparts equally strong effects on soil organic matter. These results summarize pedogenic and land use effects in four different physiographic regions of North Carolina. Results can be used by farmers and decision-makers to optimize soil carbon sequestration in the future.

Technical Abstract: Farmers are affecting soil organic matter with choice of land use. However, the extent of change in soil organic matter has not been adequately characterized. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the results of sampling soils under conventional-till cropland, no-till cropland, grassland, and woodland on research stations across North Carolina. Soil organic carbon composes 58 percent of organic matter and nitrogen composed approximately 5 percent. Historical, pedogenic processes of soil formation contribute a large portion of natural organic matter in soils, but contemporary land use and management imparts equally strong effects on soil organic matter. These results summarize pedogenic and land use effects in four different physiographic regions of North Carolina. Results can be used by farmers and decision-makers to optimize soil carbon sequestration in the future.