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Direct effects of soil organic matter on productivity mirror those observed with organic amendments

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Abstract

Aims

Organic amendments to arable soil build soil organic matter (SOM), which can increase crop yields. However, organic amendments can influence crop yields independently of SOM by providing nutrients directly to plants. The relative importance of native organic matter versus organic amendments is not well quantified. We experimentally manipulated both organic amendments and native SOM concentrations to quantify their relative importance to crop yields.

Methods

We created OM concentration gradients by (1) diluting an organic-rich A-horizon with a mineral base and (2) amending compost to the same mineral base, generating OM concentrations for both treatments of approximately 2, 4 and 8%. We grew buckwheat and measured plant productivity and a range of soil fertility variables.

Results

Higher concentrations of OM, whether native or amended, were associated with higher soil water holding capacity and nutrients, and improved soil structure. Consequently, increases in both native and amended OM were associated with strong positive but saturating impacts on productivity, though amendment effects were greater.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that native SOM can support productivity levels comparable to those observed with organic amendments. Although our quantitative findings will likely vary for different soils and amendments, our results lend support to the idea that SOM stocks directly increase productivity.

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Fig. 1: Conceptual diagram exploring how organic inputs influence yields
Fig. 2: Relationship between aboveground productivity and soil organic matter
Fig. 3: Leaf N mass and leaf N concentration in aboveground biomass
Fig. 4: Soil quality indicators and their relationship with organic matter
Fig. 5: Volumetric soil moisture across the growing season

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jeremy Oldfield of the Yale Sustainable Food Program for helping to facilitate this research; and to Rachel McMonagle, Sanna O’Connor-Morberg, and Leehi Yona for lab assistance. This work was funded by a grant to EEO from the Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies.

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Correspondence to Emily E. Oldfield.

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Responsible editor: Peter Christie.

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Oldfield, E.E., Wood, S.A. & Bradford, M.A. Direct effects of soil organic matter on productivity mirror those observed with organic amendments. Plant Soil 423, 363–373 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3513-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3513-5

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