Cover crops affect pool specific soil organic carbon in cropland – A meta‐analysis

• DOI: 10.1111/ejss.13472
• Publication Date: 2024-03-20T08:28:50Z
• Authors: Julia Fohrafellner; Katharina M. Keib...; Sophie Zechmeiste...; Rajasekaran Murugan; Heide Spiegel; Elena Valkama
• Keywords: Soil carbon

Abstract Cover crops (CC) offer numerous benefits to agroecosystems, particularly in the realm of soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual and loss mitigation. However, uncertainties persist regarding extent which CCs, co‐occurrence with environmental factors, influence SOC responses associated C pools. We therefore performed a weighted meta‐analysis on effects CCs mineral‐associated (MAOC), particulate (POC) microbial biomass (MBC) pool compared no CC cultivation arable cropland. Our study summarized global research comparable management, focus climatic zones representative Europe, such as arid, temperate boreal climates. In this meta‐analysis, we included 71 independent studies from 61 articles published between 1990 June 2023 several scientific grey literature databases. Sensitivity analysis was conducted did not identify any significant publication bias. The results revealed that had an overall statistically positive effect pools, increasing MAOC by 4.8% (95% CI: 0.6%–9.4%, n = 16), POC 23.2% 13.9%–34.4%, 39) MBC 20.2% 11.7%–30.7%, 30) top soil, cultivation. Thereby, feed into stable well more labile dependent clay content initial concentration, whereas influenced moderators peak experiment duration. For MBC, for example, content, crop rotation duration tillage depth were identified important drivers. Based our pools moderators, needs. A pressing need additional experiments exploring found, particular POC. Further, emphasize necessity conducting European spanning north–south gradient. conclusion, show is key strategy promote different Additionally, provides new insights state knowledge changes offering quantitative summary shedding light sources heterogeneity affecting these findings.