Low risk management intervention: Limited impact of remedial tillage on net ecosystem carbon balance at a commercial Miscanthus plantation

• DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.13114
• Publication Date: 2023-12-08T16:29:09Z
• Authors: R. L. Rowe; H. M. Cooper; A. Hastings; A. Mabey; A. M. Keith; N. P. McNamara; R. Morrison
• Keywords: 330; Supplementary Data; QH301 Biology; TJ807-830; NE/R016429/1; crop management; Miscanthus; BB/V011553/1; Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade; 01 natural sciences; Renewable energy sources; EP/M013200/1; QH301; eddy covariance; SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy; Renewable Energy; soil carbon; Waste Management and Disposal; Research Articles; SDG 15 - Life on Land; NE/M019691/1; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences; GE; Sustainability and the Environment; Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); Forestry; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC); HD9502-9502.5; Agronomy and Crop Science; GE Environmental Sciences

Abstract Perennial bioenergy crops are a key tool in decarbonizing global energy systems, but to ensure the efficient use of land resources, it is essential that yields and crop longevity maximized. Remedial shallow surface tillage being explored commercial Miscanthus plantations as an approach reinvigorate older rectify poor establishment, improving yields. There posited links, however, between losses soil carbon (C) via increased ecosystem C fluxes atmosphere. As utilized crop, changes field need be assessed part balance crop. Here, for first time, we quantify impacts remedial at mature plantation Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. Net production based on eddy covariance flux observations exported yield totalled 12.16 Mg ha −1 over 4.6 year period after tillage, showing site functioned net sink atmospheric dioxide (CO 2 ). was no indication negative induced stocks, with difference 3 years post (0–30 cm) or deep (0–70 stocks tilled adjacent paired untilled field. Comparison historic samples showed by 11.16 ± 3.91 pre (October 2011) sampling (November 2016). Within study, did not result necessary “pay back” loss. Rather effectively re‐established, progressive increases study period, mirroring expectations newly planted sites. The overall will depend therefore, longer‐term