ARS | Publication request: EFFECTS OF ELEVATED ATMOSPHERIC CO2 ON AGROECOSYSTEMS: SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 1999
Publication Date: October 1, 1999
Citation: Prior, S.A., Rogers, H.H., Reeves, D.W., and Torbert, H.A. 1999. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on agroecosystems: Soil physical properties. In Agronomy Abstracts. p. 290-291. ASA, Madison, WI.

Technical Abstract: Increased crop biomass production due to elevated atmospheric CO2 level suggests more C input to the soil which could alter soil physical properties. Soil samples were collected (0-5cm) after 5 yr of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] or sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] production under two CO2 levels (ambient and 2 x ambient) on a Blanton loamy sand under no-till management using open top chambers in Auburn, AL. Soil bulk density (Db), saturated hydraulic conductivity (K), and water stable aggregated (WSA) were measured. Significant species by CO2 interactions were noted for Db and K; WSA exhibited a similar trend. In the soybean system only, soil Db decreased while K and WSA increased due to elevated CO2. Results indicate that CO2-induced shifts in both quantity and quality of residue inputs could possibly lead to improved soil physical properties in soybean production systems.