A Comparative Study of Rotation Patterns on Soil Organic Carbon in China’s Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Abstract

The practice of crop rotation can significantly impact carbon sequestration potential. In exploring whether crop rotation has the potential to improve soil carbon sequestration in China’s Loess Plateau, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil water content (SWC), soil bulk density (SBD), and soil pH were compared across the 0–1.0 m soil profile, under four crop rotation patterns: lentil–wheat–maize, wheat–potato–lentil, wheat–maize–potato, and wheat–flax–pea. The lentil–wheat–maize and wheat–maize–potato rotations have been practiced over the past 20 years, while the wheat–potato–lentil and wheat–flax–pea rotations were established in 1978 (~40 year rotations). The results showed that under the 20-year lentil–wheat–maize rotation, SOC was not significantly different to that of the wheat–maize–potato rotation, at 6.81 g kg−1 and 6.91 g kg−1, respectively. However, under the lentil–wheat–maize rotation, SWC (9.81%) and SBD (1.19 Mg m−3) were significantly higher, but soil pH (8.42) was significantly lower than the same metrics under wheat–maize–potato rotation (8.43% and 1.16 Mg m−3, and 8.50, respectively). For the 40-year rotations, SWC (9.19%) and soil pH (8.41) under the wheat–potato–lentil were not significantly different to that of the wheat–flax–pea (8.87%, and 8.40, respectively). SOC (6.06 g kg−1) was significantly lower, but SBD (1.18 Mg m−3) was significantly higher under the wheat–potato–lentil than the wheat–flax–pea (7.29 g kg−1, and 1.15 Mg m−3, respectively) rotations. Soil carbon sequestration for the lentil–wheat–maize and wheat–potato–lentil rotations was co-influenced by SWC, SBD, and soil pH, while for wheat–maize–potato and wheat–flax–pea rotations, it was co-influenced by SWC and soil pH. The economic value of the four studied crops is, in order: potato > maize > wheat > flax. The results of the present study suggest that the lentil–wheat–maize and maize–flax–pea rotations are the most suitable patterns to optimize simultaneous economic and ecological development of the study area.

Marginal lands for bioenergy in China; an outlook in status, potential and management

“…For example, Alfalfa, as a primary rotation legume, is widely grown for animal feed for the fast-growing livestock industry (Wang et al, 2008) in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China, while also reducing soil erosion and improving soil fertility and quality (Jun et al, 2014). A recent study reported that the lentil-wheat-maize and maize-flax-pea rotations are the most suitable patterns to optimize simultaneous economic and ecological development of arid and semi-arid regions in China (Wei et al, 2020). Likewise, various other legume plants are planted with food and crops to improve soil fertility and characteristics (reviewed in Zeng et al (2016)).…”

Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Mitigating Climate Change and Increasing Food Security

“…Their results showed that oilseed rape performed well under moderate changes in soil temperature and rainfall regimes; hence, stable seed yields were observed, with no negative impact on seed nutrient quality. Wei et al [19] carried out a comparative study of rotation patterns on SOC in China's arid and semi-arid regions. They found that rotation practices of lentil-wheat-corn and corn-pea are the most appropriate models for optimizing simultaneous economic and ecological development, including water conservation and SOC sequestration.…”