Abstract
The decline in soil organic matter with cropping is a major factor affecting the sustainability of cropping systems. Changes in total C levels are relativelyinsensitive as a sustainability measure. Oxidation with different strength KMnO4 has been shown to be a more sensitive indicator of change. The relative size of soil C fractions oxidised by 333 mM KMnO4 declined with cropping, whilst the relative size of the unoxidised fraction increased. Changes in δ13C ratio have been used to measure C turnover in systems which include C3 and C4 species.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Balesdent J, Mariotti A and Guillet B 1987,Soil Biology and Biochemistry 19, 25–30.
Loginow W, Wisniewski W, Gonet S S and Ciescinska B 1987 Polish Journal of Soil Science 20, 47–52.
Mary B, Mariotti A, and Morel J L 1992, Soil Biology and Biochemistry Vol 24, No 10 1065–1072.
Smith B N and Epstein S 1971, Plant Physiology 47, 380–384.
Vitorello V A, Cerri C C, Andreux F and Victoria R L 1989 Soil Science Society of America Journal 53, 773–778.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lefroy, R.D.B., Blair, G.J. & Strong, W.M. Changes in soil organic matter with cropping as measured by organic carbon fractions and 13C natural isotope abundance. Plant Soil 155, 399–402 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025067
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025067