Mechanisms of soil carbon accrual and storage in bioenergy cropping systems
Abstract
Annual row cropping systems converted to perennial bioenergy crops tend to accrue soil C, likely a function of increased root production and decreased frequency of tillage; however, very little is known about the mechanisms governing the accrual and stability of this additional soil C. To address this uncertainty, we assessed the formation and stability of aggregates and soil organic C ( SOC ) pools under switchgrass, giant miscanthus , a native perennial grass mix and continuous corn treatments in Michigan and Wisconsin soils differing in both texture and mineralogy. We isolated different aggregate size fractions, >2 mm, 0.5–2 mm, and 2 mm aggregates, and higher under the perennial grasses compared to corn. Contrastingly, in Wisconsin soils, microbial activities were highest in the <0.5 mm aggregates and evidence for soil C accrual under perennial grasses was observed only in a fast turnover pool in the <0.5 mm aggregate class. Our results help explain cross‐site variability in soil C accrual under perennial bioenergy crops by demonstrating how interactions between belowground productivity, soil type, aggregation processes and microbial communities influence the rates and extent of SOC stabilization. Bioenergy cropping systems have the potential to be low‐C energy sources but first we must understand the complex interactions controlling the formation and stabilization of SOC if we are to maximize soil C accrual.
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Typically, perennial energy crop cultivation reduces soil C mineralization by enhancing physical protection derived from aggregation due to no-till systems, root exudates, and a longer growth period.
“Typically, perennial energy crop cultivation reduces soil C mineralization by enhancing physical protection derived from aggregation due to no- till systems, a large number of root exudates, and a longer growth period (Austin et al.,2017; Sartori et al.,2006; Tiemann & Grandy, 2015).”
From Marginal land conversion to perennial energy crops with biomass removal enhances soil carbon sequestration (2022) · cites this paper as Tiemann & Grandy, 2015
Cites
Stabilization mechanisms of soil organic matter: Implications for C-saturation of soils
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Land Clearing and the Biofuel Carbon Debt
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PLANT DIVERSITY, SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES, AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION: ARE THERE ANY LINKS?
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How relevant is recalcitrance for the stabilization of organic matter in soils?
Marschner, B., Brodowski, S., Dreves, A., Gleixner, G., Gude, A., Grootes, P. M., Hamer, U., Heim, A., Jandl, G., Ji, R., et al. (2008) · Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science · doi:10.1002/jpln.200700049 · Cited by 743 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Of the many factors controlling SOC stability and residence time, physical protection may be the most important (Lutzow et al., 2006; Jastrow et al., 2007; Marschner et al., 2008; Schmidt et al., 2011).”
BackgroundChanges in soil organic carbon under biofuel crops
ANDERSON‐TEIXEIRA, K. J., DAVIS, S. C., MASTERS, M. D., & DELUCIA, E. H. (2009) · GCB Bioenergy · doi:10.1111/j.1757-1707.2008.01001.x · Cited by 391 · see citing works
An Absorbing Markov Chain approach to understanding the microbial role in soil carbon stabilization
Liang, C., Cheng, G., Wixon, D. L., & Balser, T. C. (2011) · Biogeochemistry · doi:10.1007/s10533-010-9525-3 · Cited by 235 · see citing works
Soil carbon under switchgrass stands and cultivated cropland
Liebig, M. A., Johnson, H. A., Hanson, J. D., & Frank, A. B. (2005) · Biomass and Bioenergy · doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2004.11.004 · Cited by 225 · see citing works
Carbon sequestration in soil beneath long-term Miscanthus plantations as determined by abundance
Hansen, E. M., Christensen, B. T., Jensen, L. S., & Kristensen, K. (2004) · Biomass and Bioenergy · doi:10.1016/s0961-9534(03)00102-8 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
Altered Belowground Carbon Cycling Following Land-Use Change to Perennial Bioenergy Crops
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Soil carbon stocks in different bioenergy cropping systems including subsoil
Gauder, M., Billen, N., Zikeli, S., Laub, M., Graeff-Hönninger, S., & Claupein, W. (2016) · Soil and Tillage Research · doi:10.1016/j.still.2015.09.005 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Xu, Y., Zhou, J., Feng, W., Jia, R., Liu, C., Fu, T., Xue, S., Yi, Z., Guillaume, T., Yang, Y., et al. (2022) · GCB Bioenergy · doi:10.1111/gcbb.12990 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Typically, perennial energy crop cultivation reduces soil C mineralization by enhancing physical protection derived from aggregation due to notill systems, a large number of root exudates, and a longer growth period (Austin et al., 2017; Sartori et al., 2006; Tiemann & Grandy, 2015).”
BackgroundBates, C. T., Escalas, A., Kuang, J., Hale, L., Wang, Y., Herman, D., Nuccio, E. E., Wan, X., Bhattacharyya, A., Fu, Y., et al. (2022) · The ISME Journal · doi:10.1038/s41396-021-00916-y · Cited by 17 · see citing works
- Authors
- Tiemann, L. K., & Grandy, A. S.
- Affiliations
- University of New Hampshire (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tiemann, Lisa K.
- Venue
- GCB Bioenergy
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-03
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 161-174
- ISSN
- 1757-1693 (ISSN-L)
- 1757-1707
- OpenAlex
- W2154889095
- Cited by
- 119
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 11.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- GCB Bioenergy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Bioenergy crop production and management
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Management and Crop Yield
- Keywords
- soil organic carbon, soil carbon stabilization, perennial energy crops, switchgrass, Miscanthus × giganteus, aggregate size fractions, soil aggregate stability, permanganate oxidizable carbon, soil microbial activity, soil respiration, soil enzyme activity, soil type, soil texture, soil mineralogy, continuous corn, root production, reduced tillage
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