Abstract
Changes in total organic C (C T), water-soluble organic C (C WS), microbial biomass C (C MB), C mineralization, particulate organic C (C P), labile organic C (C L), C management index (CMI), and C storage in surface Hapli-Ustic Cambisol (0–20 cm) under straw incorporation after both 2- and 10-year durations were investigated in a maize (Zea mays L.) field experiment in northeast China, in order to examine the effectiveness of these active C fractions and CMI as early indicators for total C change. The treatments included straw removal (0%S), 50% of straw incorporation (50%S), and 100% of straw incorporation (100%S). Under the straw incorporation, C T concentration and C storage did not significantly change under 2-year duration, while were significantly increased under 10-year duration. However, C MB, total C mineralization (C TM), C P, and C L, and CMI were significantly increased under the straw incorporation even after only 2-year duration, and the responses were more significant after 10-year duration. There were positive correlations between all these C indicators with each other. Our findings demonstrate that the measured active C fractions (except for C WS) and CMI can provide an early indication of change in total soil organic C induced by straw incorporation.
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This study was supported by the National Basic Research Program (2011CB100501) and the National Science Foundation of China (40871148, 40901141, and 41001175).
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Xu, M., Lou, Y., Sun, X. et al. Soil organic carbon active fractions as early indicators for total carbon change under straw incorporation. Biol Fertil Soils 47, 745–752 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-011-0579-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-011-0579-8