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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #129471
Title: SOIL CARBON IN LONG-TERM PACIFIC NORTHWEST AGROECOSYSTEMS

Author
item Albrecht, Stephan
item RASMUSSEN, PAUL
item DOUGLAS, JR, CLYDE
item RICKMAN, RONALD
item SMILEY, RICHARD
item Wuest, Stewart
item PAYNE, WILLIAM
item Wilkins, Dale

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Long-term cropping system research helps determine management effects on soil organic matter. The trends in soil C content at multiple depths in several long-term management systems on a Walla Walla silt loam near Pendleton, OR were examined and compared for C sequestration. A continuing decline of C over time was found as deep as 60 cm in systems that included burning, plowing, or fallow in the rotation. A rotation with manure applied at 2.24 Mg per ha per crop year had no decline in soil C. Soil C content was positively correlated with residue returned to the soil, which in turn was dependent upon fertility and organic amendments. Annual cropping provided improved C retention compared to fallow, and permanent pasture retained more C than any cultivated practice. Management systems that increase residue input to the soil, or decrease microbial oxidation of crop residues and soil carbon, increase the potential to sequester C in semi-arid agroecosystems.