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Altering soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in intensively tilled two-year rotations

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Abstract

Information is needed on the ability of different crop management factors to maintain or increase soil C and N pools, especially in intensively tilled short crop rotations. Soil samples from field experiments in Maine were used to assess the effect of cover crop, green manure (GM) crop, and intermittent or annual amendment on soil C and N pools. These field experiments, of 6–13 years’ duration, were all characterized by a 2-year rotation with either sweet corn ( Zea mays L.) or potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), and primary tillage each year. Total, particulate organic matter (POM), and soil microbial biomass (SMB)-C and -N pools were assessed for each experiment. Total C and N stocks were not affected by red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) cover crop or legume GM, but were increased by 25–53% via a single application of papermill sludge or an annual manure and/or compost amendment. With the exception of continuous potato production which dramatically reduced the SMB-C and SMB-N concentration, SMB-C and -N were minimally affected by changes in cropping sequence, but were quite sensitive to amendments, even those that were primarily C. POM-C and -N, associated with the coarse mineral fraction (53–2,000 µm), were more responsive to management factors compared to total C and N in soil. The change in soil C fractions was a linear function of increasing C supply, across all experiments and treatments. Within these intensively tilled, 2-year crop rotations, substantial C and N inputs from amendments are needed to significantly alter soil C and N pools, although cropping sequence changes can influence more labile pools responsible for nutrient cycling.

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Acknowledgements

The assistance of E. Mallory in conducting laboratory assessments is gratefully acknowledged. The assistance of Matt Liebman and Adam Davis in providing information on the CLOVER experiment is also appreciated. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information, and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS, New England Plant Soil and Water Laboratory and Department of Plant Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469–5753, USA

    T. S. Griffin & G. A. Porter

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  1. T. S. Griffin
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  2. G. A. Porter
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Correspondence to T. S. Griffin.

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Griffin, T.S., Porter, G.A. Altering soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in intensively tilled two-year rotations. Biol Fertil Soils 39, 366–374 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0725-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0725-7

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