Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Under Long-Term Manure and Straw Fertilization in North and Northeast China by RothC Model Simulation

  • Minggang G. Xu
  • Jinzhou Z. Wang
  • Chang’ai A. Lu
Conference paper
First Online:

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) modeling is a useful approach to assess the impact of natural organic material management on carbon sequestration. RothC was parameterized and validated with two long-term experiments comparing different manure, straw, and chemical fertilizer treatments in north (Zhengzhou) and northeast (Gongzhuling) China. Four fertilizer treatments were used: no fertilizer (Control), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer combined (NPK), NPK fertilizer and manure (NPKM), and NPK fertilizer with straw return (NPKS). The comparison between simulated and observed data showed that the model can adequately simulate SOC contents in the Control, NPK, and NPKM treatments but overestimated in the NPKS treatment at both sites. By changing the value of decomposable plant material/resistant plant material ratio from the default value to 3.35 for the NPKS treatment at the Zhengzhou site, dynamics of simulated SOC agreed with measured values. A pseudo-parameter, straw retention factor, was introduced to adjust the amount of straw incorporated into soils. Using the inverse simulation method and the modified value of the ratio, the best-fitted value was 0.32 for the NPKS treatment at the Gongzhuling site. Along with the modification, the model can produce reasonable results at the site. The model was run for another 30years with the modified parameter values and current average climatic conditions for different fertilization scenarios at both sites. The results suggested that the NPK application plus the addition of manure or straw would be better management practices for carbon sequestration.

Keywords

RothC Simulation model Carbon sequestration Soil organic matter Long-term experiment 
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Copyright information

© Zhejiang University Press and Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Minggang G. Xu
    • 1
    • 2
  • Jinzhou Z. Wang
    • 1
    • 2
  • Chang’ai A. Lu
    • 1
    • 2
  1. 1.Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional PanningChinese Academy Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
  2. 2.Key Laboratory of Crop Nutrition and FertilizationMinistry of AgricultureBeijingChina

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