For some time now there has been a great deal of debate around soil carbon and what farming methods are proved to be the most effective when it comes to increasing the carbon levels of the soil. This has resulted in CWFS forming a project to find out which farming practice is best for storing...
Soil carbon in the past has been known for its nutrient properties but little did we know that there was a wide array of benefits that are derived from soil carbon. So to kick things off we will check out a handy piece of research done by the GRDC. ...
To take a look at how soil carbon has influenced the microbial population I have decided to analyse a paper from Great Britain. The paper looks at two separate cropping systems (Continuous and rotational cropping) and they test how the microbes from these two separate systems react with to an introduction of soil carbon into the system. Data...
Soil carbon: the basics Fast facts Soil carbon is part of the soil organic matter which is composed of decaying plant and animal matter. CSIRO scientists have identified four biologically significant types or fractions of soil organic carbon: crop residues, particulate organic carbon, humus and recalcitrant organic carbon. Each fraction has different functions due to the relative stability...
Fast facts Soil characteristics, climate and management practices can alter the amount of carbon in soil Soil carbon is a balance between inputs (such as plant shoots, roots and leaves) and outputs (such as decomposition and conversion into carbon dioxide) Regardless of its potential, the amount of carbon a soil can actually hold is limited by...
Soil acidity has a devastating impact on the soil profile and the soil’s role in plant production. Effects of soil acidity severely hinder the normal growth and development of plants. This is due to the decreased availability of nutrients when acidification occurs. The pH of the soil becomes lower when common farming practices are continuously...
