ARS | Publication request: POTENTIAL FOR SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN COTTON PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN USA

Submitted to: Laboratory Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: January 20, 2005
Publication Date: January 20, 2005
Citation: Causarano, H.J., Franzluebbers, A.J., Reeves, D.W., Shaw, J.N., Norfleet, M.L. 2005. Potential for soil carbon sequestration in cotton production systems of the southeastern USA. Final Report to Cotton Incorporated. Available: http://www.spcru.ars.usda.gov/Pubs/White%20paper%20-%%20Cotton%20Incorporated.pdf.

Interpretive Summary: Past agricultural management practices have contributed to the loss of soil organic carbon and emission of greenhouse gases. Conservation-oriented agricultural management systems can be, and have been, developed to sequester soil organic carbon, improve soil quality, and increase crop productivity. This document (1) reviews available literature related to soil organic carbon sequestration in cotton production systems, (2) recommends best management practices to sequester soil organic carbon, and (3) outlines political scenarios and future probabilities for cotton producers to benefit from soil organic carbon sequestration. Conservation tillage, cropping system intensification, sod-based crop rotations, and judicious use of fertilizers and herbicides were some of the agricultural practices shown to be successful in increasing soil organic carbon. Participation in the Conservation Security Program could lead to government payments of up to $8/acre, while open-market trading of carbon credits would appear to yield less than $1/acre, although prices would greatly increase should a government policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions be mandated.

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