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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 - RETIRED USDA-ARS
item DOUGLAS, JR, CLYDE - RETIRED USDA-ARS
item RICKMAN, RONALD - RETIRED USDA-ARS
item SMILEY, RICHARD - OREGON STATE UNIV
item Wuest, Stewart
item PAYNE, WILLIAM - OREGON STATE UNIV
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.