Soil treated with organic fertilizers stores more carbon, study finds
A Kansas State University study reveals that organic fertilizers enhance soil carbon storage and microbial activity compared to chemical fertilizers, providing insights for sustainable agricultural practices and climate change mitigation.
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A study conducted by researchers at Kansas State University has found that soil treated with organic fertilizers, such as manure and compost, stores more carbon compared to soil treated with chemical fertilizers or no fertilizers at all. The research, published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, utilized advanced imaging techniques at the Canadian Light Source and the Advanced Light Source to analyze soil from a cornfield in Kansas that had been farmed without tilling for 22 years. The findings indicate that organic amendments not only enhance carbon storage but also promote microbial activity and improve soil health. The study provides direct evidence of the mechanisms through which organic fertilizers contribute to carbon sequestration, revealing that carbon is preserved in soil pores and attached to minerals. This research is significant for developing sustainable agricultural practices that can help mitigate climate change by improving soil carbon storage and supporting microbial diversity. The insights gained from this study could enhance models predicting the impact of various farming practices on soil carbon levels.
- Organic fertilizers increase soil carbon storage compared to chemical fertilizers.
- The study utilized advanced imaging techniques to analyze soil health.
- Enhanced microbial activity was observed in soil treated with organic amendments.
- The research provides mechanisms for how organic fertilizers improve soil health.
- Findings support the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
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