Study

Carbon sequestration in a temperate grassland; management and climatic controls

  • Published source details Jones S.K., Rees R.M., Kosmas D., Ball B.C. & Skiba U.M. (2006) Carbon sequestration in a temperate grassland; management and climatic controls. Soil Use and Management, 22, 132-142.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Amend the soil with manures and agricultural composts

Action Link
Soil Fertility
  1. Amend the soil with manures and agricultural composts

    A controlled, replicated experiment in 2002-2004 on sandy clay loam in Edinburgh, the UK (Jones et al. 2006) found higher total soil carbon under cattle slurry (32.3 kg C/m3), sewage (36.5 kg C/m3) and poultry manure (44.5 kg C/m3) compared to the control (26.8 kg C/m3). Soil carbon under mineral fertilizers was no higher than under the control. Soil microbial respiration was highest under poultry manure (10,748 kg CO2/ha), followed by cattle slurry (9,835 kg CO2/ha) and sewage sludge (9,284 kg CO2/ha) treatments, compared to the control (5,636 kg CO2/ha). Respiration was lower in both mineral fertilizer treatments compared to poultry manure. Six fertilizer treatments were applied to 12 x 6 m plots of perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne grassland over two years. Treatments were sewage sludge, cattle slurry, poultry manure, urea, ammonium nitrate (all applied at 300 kg/ha/y) and a control receiving no fertilizer.  Treatments were replicated three times. Soil microbial respiration was determined by measuring carbon dioxide levels in closed cylindrical chambers placed on the soil surface clear of vegetation. Soil samples were collected to 10 and 20 cm depths in April each year.

     

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