Vertical distribution of root biomass and soil carbon stocks in forage cropping systems

Ojeda, Jonathan J.; Caviglia, Octavio Pedro; Agnusdei, M. G.

doi:10.1007/s11104-017-3502-8

Cited by 39 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…On one side, the high root turnover rate observed in the surface soil layer in the present study for the grass-only management systems can favor C storage by providing readily decomposable litter which can be rapidly transformed to soil microbe products that contribute to the formation of soil organic matter and C storage (Cotrufo et al 2013;Poirier et al 2018). In accordance, soil C accumulation was shown to decrease with soil depth under perennial pasture (Ojeda et al 2017). On the other side, deep roots rich in recalcitrant compounds such as lignin and with a high mean residence time in soil (Rumpel and Kögel-Knabner 2011) are also crucial for long-term soil organic matter stabilization (Poirier et al 2018).…”

Section: In-season Root Elongation and Depth Distribution Patternssupporting

confidence: 70%

“…Root-related ecosystem services provided by perennial forage crops are fundamental to the sustainability of modern farming, especially for livestock-based systems (Gregory et al 2013;Ojeda et al 2017;Soussana et al 2014). In particular, well-managed grasslands and perennial-based cropping systems can maintain and accumulate soil C and hence contribute to climate change mitigation (Poeplau et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Root growth and turnover in perennial forages as affected by management systems and soil depth

et al. 2020

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Aims Extensive knowledge of perennial forage root systems is essential, given their critical role in belowground C input. Methods Root length and diameter were quantified periodically from 2016 to 2018 with minirhizotrons in a field experiment with three forage management systems: mixture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) fertilized with (i) dairy cattle slurry or (ii) calcic ammonium nitrate, and (iii) mixture of timothy, tall fescue, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) without N fertilization. Root biomass was measured yearly by coring. Results Management systems with the two fertilization sources did not differ in root elongation, but the management system with alfalfa resulted in a slower root elongation after the first defoliation and a lower root mortality in the fall. Root length turnover was greater in the topsoil with dairy cattle slurry than with calcic ammonium nitrate. Fine roots dominated the surface soil and coarse roots the deeper soil layers. Conclusions Root growth and mortality were more contrasted between systems that differed by the presence of alfalfa than by fertilizer source. As many root characteristics are drivers of soil C storage, the choice of perennial species in mixtures appears as a key management factor for sustainable farming systems.

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Section: In-season Root Elongation and Depth Distribution Patternssupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root growth and turnover in perennial forages as affected by management systems and soil depth

et al. 2020

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“…In northern Alberta, the latest trend among beef cattle producers is growing a multispecies annual crop mixture for forage production. Growing multi-species annual crop mixtures (4 to 6 or greater number of species) (Malézieux et al 2009) or annual crops sequences/intercrops (Ojeda et al 2018b) may often be considered as a practical application of ecological principles based on biodiversity, plant interactions and other natural regulation mechanisms as well as improved soil C stocks. Such mixtures could increase forage production (BCRC 2016;Davis et al 2015;Smith et al 2014;Wortman et al 2012), improve water and soil quality, increase nutrient cycling, moisture conservation, and crop productivity (Chu et al 2017;Hobbs et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forage production, economic performance indicators and beef cattle nutritional suitability of multispecies annual crop mixtures in northwestern Alberta, Canada

Omokanye¹,

Lardner

Sreekumar³

et al. 2019

Journal of Applied Animal Research

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A 2-year field study compared annual crop mixtures and monoculture cereal crops (controls) for forage yield and quality value for beef cattle production. Each of the mixtures consisted of 2 to 9 crop species. The cropping treatments investigated significantly influenced (P < 0.05) forage dry matter (DM) yield, quality and economic performance parameters. Forage DM yield was up to 9.25 t/ha for the mixtures compared to 7.72 t/ha for the control crops. Forage yield advantage from mixtures was up to 50% over controls. Forage crude protein (CP) was >13.0% for most mixtures, while CP for controls was ≤12.0%. All mixtures and controls mostly exceeded the suggested required levels of K, Mg, Na, S, Fe and Zn for beef cattle. The four top ranked mixtures in terms of marginal returns and benefit/cost ratio were mixtures #4, 8, 10 and 12 in that order. Study results demonstrated that growing a minimum of 3 annual crops, rather than 1 or 2 crops, increased forage production and offered a forage-based diet that, which in most cases, was able to adequately meet the nutritional requirements of beef cattle. The mixture with the highest forage yield consisted of crops from 3 different species categories: Poaceae, Leguminosae and Brassicaceae. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…Fertilizer application during cultivation can increase soil C input by promoting alfalfa root system growth and creating more litter (Gwenzi, Gotosa, Chakanetsa, & Mutema, 2009;Trost et al, 2013). Gentile, Martino, and Entz (2005) and Ojeda, Caviglia, and Agnusdei (2018) reported that the root biomass of alfalfa has a strong relationship with soil C stocks. The level of SOC decreased with soil depth mainly attributed to a reduction of carbon inputs from root biomass with soil depth.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Soil Nutrient Along Soil Profiles At DImentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade‐offs between forage crop productivity and soil nutrients for different ages of alfalfa grassland

et al. 2020

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Obtaining sustainable high yield and suitable soil nutrient management is crucial for cultivate alfalfa grassland. However, the information on the trade-offs between soil nutrient and productivity of alfalfa grassland following long-term cultivation under intensive agricultural management is scare. Six alfalfa grasslands of different ages under a highly intensive agricultural management system were chosen for this study.It was shown that long-term planting of alfalfa reduced soil nutrients overall. In the 0-100, 100-200, and 200-300 cm layers, the highest values of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (TN), and soil total phosphorus (TP) content were observed in one-year-old alfalfa grassland. SOC, TN, and TP contents in each 100 cm soil layers linearly declined with increasing stand age, and decreasing rates of SOC and TN (4.31 and 0.03 g kg −1 yr −1 ) in the 0-100 cm layer were higher than other two soil layers.The SOC storage (SOC S ) and TN storage (TN S ) in 0-20 cm soil were significantly higher than other soil profiles in six alfalfa grasslands of different ages. SOC S and TN S in 0-100 cm, especially in upper 40 cm soil, decreased over time until the fourth year, and gradually increased in the fifth and sixth years. While in the third and fourth years, productivity reached peak value (3.13 and 3.12 t ha −1 ), and then reduced. Correlation analysis showed productivity was significantly negatively correlated with SOC S and TN S in 0-100 cm soil depth. The decline in soil nutrients affected alfalfa growth and then feedback its productivity, and the optimal stand age of alfalfa grasslands should not be longer than 6 years for the limitation of soil nutrient, especially SOC storage. To acquire sustainable high productivity of artificial alfalfa grassland, our study suggested that more organic and nitrogen/phosphorus fertilizers should be applied to the upper soil layer beginning in the third year after planting.

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Vertical distribution of root biomass and soil carbon stocks in forage cropping systems

Cited by 39 publications

References 64 publications

Root growth and turnover in perennial forages as affected by management systems and soil depth

Root growth and turnover in perennial forages as affected by management systems and soil depth

Forage production, economic performance indicators and beef cattle nutritional suitability of multispecies annual crop mixtures in northwestern Alberta, Canada

Trade‐offs between forage crop productivity and soil nutrients for different ages of alfalfa grassland

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