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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #93482
Title: SOIL ORGANIC CARBON DEPTH DISTRIBUTION UNDER PASTURE AND CROPPING IN THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT

Author
item Franzluebbers, Alan
item Stuedemann, John
item Schomberg, Harry
item WILKINSON, STANLEY - USDA-ARS RETIRED

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Depth distributions of soil organic C and N under long-term management systems could indicate the long-term potential of agricultural land in the southeastern USA to contribute to or sequester atmospheric CO2. Our objective was to determine the depth distribution of soil organic C and N, particulate organic C and N, microbial biomass C, and mineralizable C and N under grazed pasture, hayed forage, conventional cropping, conservation-tillage cropping, and forest established at the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Natural Resources Conservation Center near Watkinsville GA. Contrasts focused on (1) number of years under bermudagrass (2) number of years under tall fescue, (2) grazed versus hayed management, (3) pasture following cropland versus following forestland, and (4) conventional versus conservation tillage cropping. Surface residue and soil samples at depths of 0-5, 5-12.5, and 12.5-20 cm were collected from 4 subunits within management units. Implications of long-term management on soil C sequestration in the Southern Piedmont USA will be presented.