Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential

The impact of various crop rotation systems on the potential for soil carbon sequestration and stoichiometric characteristics is not yet fully understood, which poses challenges for effective land management and utilization. This study selected three typical crop rotation methods in the Longzhong Lo...

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Main Authors: Hang Xiang, Jingjing Xu, Shaochong Wei, Hang Yang, Jianchao Song, Xiaojun Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2160
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author Hang Xiang
Jingjing Xu
Shaochong Wei
Hang Yang
Jianchao Song
Xiaojun Yu
author_facet Hang Xiang
Jingjing Xu
Shaochong Wei
Hang Yang
Jianchao Song
Xiaojun Yu
author_sort Hang Xiang
collection DOAJ
description The impact of various crop rotation systems on the potential for soil carbon sequestration and stoichiometric characteristics is not yet fully understood, which poses challenges for effective land management and utilization. This study selected three typical crop rotation methods in the Longzhong Loess Plateau: maize–alfalfa rotation (MA), maize–sainfoin rotation (MS), and maize–wheat rotation (MW). Soil physical and chemical indices were measured, and the soil carbon density and soil stoichiometry were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the soil C/N of the surface soils was low across the rotation methods, indicating a rapid rate of organic matter decomposition and mineralization, which may hinder soil nutrient accumulation. The soil N/P was found to be lower than the national average of 8.0, indicating that nitrogen is a limited nutrient in the soil under the three crop rotation systems in this region. The soil total nitrogen content can be increased by rotation with leguminous forage. Sainfoin rotation can enhance the soil total carbon and organic carbon content, thereby improving the soil’s carbon sequestration potential. The research findings provide a theoretical foundation for the selection of appropriate rotation methods and the maintenance of the stability of agricultural ecosystems in semi-arid regions.
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issn 2077-0472
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publisher MDPI AG
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spelling doaj-art-21b23b799a7e48828cf4d04798256cc12025-08-20T02:50:56ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-11-011412216010.3390/agriculture14122160Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration PotentialHang Xiang0Jingjing Xu1Shaochong Wei2Hang Yang3Jianchao Song4Xiaojun Yu5College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaGansu Forestry Science and Technology Extension Station, Lanzhou 730046, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaThe impact of various crop rotation systems on the potential for soil carbon sequestration and stoichiometric characteristics is not yet fully understood, which poses challenges for effective land management and utilization. This study selected three typical crop rotation methods in the Longzhong Loess Plateau: maize–alfalfa rotation (MA), maize–sainfoin rotation (MS), and maize–wheat rotation (MW). Soil physical and chemical indices were measured, and the soil carbon density and soil stoichiometry were calculated and analyzed. The results show that the soil C/N of the surface soils was low across the rotation methods, indicating a rapid rate of organic matter decomposition and mineralization, which may hinder soil nutrient accumulation. The soil N/P was found to be lower than the national average of 8.0, indicating that nitrogen is a limited nutrient in the soil under the three crop rotation systems in this region. The soil total nitrogen content can be increased by rotation with leguminous forage. Sainfoin rotation can enhance the soil total carbon and organic carbon content, thereby improving the soil’s carbon sequestration potential. The research findings provide a theoretical foundation for the selection of appropriate rotation methods and the maintenance of the stability of agricultural ecosystems in semi-arid regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2160Longzhong Loess Plateaucrop rotationsoil carbon densitysoil stoichiometry characteristics
spellingShingle Hang Xiang
Jingjing Xu
Shaochong Wei
Hang Yang
Jianchao Song
Xiaojun Yu
Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
Agriculture
Longzhong Loess Plateau
crop rotation
soil carbon density
soil stoichiometry characteristics
title Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
title_full Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
title_fullStr Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
title_full_unstemmed Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
title_short Crop Rotation of Sainfoin on the Longzhong Loess Plateau Has a Positive Effect on Enhancing Soil Carbon Sequestration Potential
title_sort crop rotation of sainfoin on the longzhong loess plateau has a positive effect on enhancing soil carbon sequestration potential
topic Longzhong Loess Plateau
crop rotation
soil carbon density
soil stoichiometry characteristics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/12/2160
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