Influence of management on maintenance and dynamics of carbon in the soil

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze the dynamics of soil carbon in agricultural areas under different soil management systems and natural ecosystems with Cerrado vegetation. The study was carried out in a grain production area equivalent to soybeans and corn located in the Western region of Bahia State with the adoption of conventional and no-tillage + Brachiaria and vegetable production in the southernmost tip of Piauí State under organic cultivation and vegetable cultivation + no-tillage, besides the native area of ​​the Cerrado. Total organic C content, light organic matter, and soil organic matter were evaluated. Furthermore, the C stock and light organic matter were assessed at four depths (0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0, 20, and 0.20-0.40 m). The systems under vegetable cultivation and native area presented the highest levels of C, organic matter, and soil carbon stocks in the superficial layers. However, the NTS + B2 showed higher levels in depth, except for light organic matter. Thus, the content, dynamics, and maintenance of C into the soil are nearly influenced by the management system adopted, both for the lighter fractions of organic matter and the more mineralized forms such as TOC, OSM, and StkC.

Chemical and biological indicators of soil quality in cultivation areas of the Cerrado

“…The SOC was evaluated at the different depths, and a higher content was observed at the surface (0.0 to 0.05m), while a reduction was observed with the increase in depth (Figure 3C). These results are similar to those found by Costa et al (2021) when studying carbon in Cerrado areas, under no-tillage farming, with different soil cover crops. The significant difference between soil depths may be related to the deposition of residues at the surface, without soil turning and consequent incorporation into the soil, which affects the decomposition rate of organic matter and, consequently, nutrient release, forming a surface concentration gradient of organic matter (ACQUA et al, 2013).…”