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Title: IMPACTS OF LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES ON C SEQUESTRATION DURING THE TRANSITION FROM CONVENTIONAL TO CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Author
item TERRA, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Reeves, Donald
item SHAW, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item VAN SANTEN, E - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Raper, Randy
item MASK, P - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2004
Publication Date: 10/31/2004
Citation: Terra, J.A., Reeves, D.W., Shaw, J.N., Van Santen, E., Raper, R.L., Mask, P.L. 2004. Impacts of landscape attributes on c sequestration during the transition from conventional to conservation management practices [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings, October 31 - November 4, 2004, Seattle, Washington. Paper Number 2494. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The assessment of soil management practices impacts on soil organic C (SOC) on a site-specific basis is vital as C trading systems emerge. We conducted a 2.5 yr. study on a 9-ha AL field (Typic and Aquic Paleudults) to assess the effects of soil management practices with landscape variability on SOC. Treatments were established in replicated strips traversing the landscape in a corn (Zea mays L.)-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) rotation. Treatments included a conventional system (chisel plowing, no cover crops) with or without dairy manure (CTM or CT), and a conservation system (no-surface tillage with in-row subsoiling and cover crops) with/without manure (NTM or NT). We determined SOC at 240 positions distributed across the field subdivided in five zones. Overall (0-30-cm), NT provided an 11% SOC increase compared to CT, while CTM and NTM provided a 24% and 39% increase, respectively. The greatest impact of NTM was observed on eroded landscapes where SOC increased 230% compared with CT. Our results show the potential to sequester C using conservation systems and manure is scale dependent and may be higher than previously expected for degraded soils in the southeastern USA.