Soil organic matter dynamics and losses in manured maize-based forage systems

Soil organic matter (SOM) produces positive effects on multiple soil properties. Increasing its level also provides an opportunity to reduce atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Recycling animal manure and returning crop residue are among the main practices to enhance organic carbon (C) stock in arable croplands. This study analysed data of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks from a medium-term field trial (established in 1992) through a Hénin-Dupuis-based equation to determine the proportion of different organic materials retained in the soil as SOM. The treatments included in the experiment simulated different typical management techniques and implied the application to the soil of various organic materials, i.e. cattle slurry, cattle farmyard manure, maize straw, root, maize and ley stubble. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen (N) (Kjeldhal N) were measured in the 0-30cm layer during spring 1999 and spring 2003. The relationship between SOC and N stocks measured in 1999 and 2003 and the annual additions of C and N was described by the Hénin-Dupuis-based equation, assuming the presence of two C and N pools (stable and fresh). Our results showed that the application of farmyard manure, slurry and maize straw induced higher C and N content compared to the application of urea without return of crop residue. The different levels of urea application did not produce any significant difference in C and N soil content. We found that approximately 2% of SOC is lost to the atmosphere annually. Furthermore, the amount of C and N retained in the soil each year varied by organic materials: 46% C and 44% N with farmyard manure, 26% C and 11% N with slurry, 28% C and 10% N with root and 6% C with maize straw and ley stubble. These results were used to inform an estimate of C lost or removed to/from atmosphere following manure application and crop residue return for the compilation of greenhouse gas inventories. We found that the most C conservative management is the production and spreading of farmyard manure and that increasing amounts of mineral N fertilizer did not affect the C sequestration extent.