By Scout Nelson
Researchers from Kansas State University have been investigating how farming methods influence soil carbon storage, an important factor in combating rising carbon dioxide levels. Focusing on a no-till cornfield in Kansas, farmed without tilling for 22 years, they analyzed soil samples treated with different fertilizers, including chemical, manure, and compost.
The results, published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, showed that soil treated with manure or compost stored more carbon than soil with chemical or no fertilizer. "We were trying to understand what the mechanisms are behind increasing soil carbon storage using certain management practices," explains Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi, a K-State professor.
Hettiarachchi believes that this research provides important insights into sustainable farming practices and their potential to improve soil health and support carbon storage, which is essential for environmental sustainability and feeding growing populations.
The research team analyzed soil samples from the no-till field, comparing the effects of different types of fertilizers, including chemical fertilizers, manure, and compost. Their findings revealed that soil treated with organic fertilizers such as manure or compost stored significantly more carbon than soil that received either chemical fertilizers or no fertilizer at all. This suggests that organic fertilizers not only improve crop productivity but also play a vital role in enhancing soil carbon storage capacity.
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Categories: Kansas, Energy, General