1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture:
TOWARDS SOIL SUSTAINABILITY
11–13 June 2024 • Lublin–Nałęczów, Poland

https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.2.04
Published online: 4 October 2024

Assessment of SOC and WEOC stocks in the soil under different compositions of swards and fallow
Aida Skersiene*, Alvyra Slepetiene

Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC), Instituto al. 1, Akademija, 58344 Kedainiai distr., Lithuania
* Corresponding author:

Abstract
The European Union has set a goal to transform into a climate-neutral economy with zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, both by reducing CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere and transferring its excess into long-lasting forms of carbon. To achieve this state, efforts are being made to justify measures for carbon accumulation in the soil scientifically. Some studies suggest that cultivating perennial grasses can increase soil organic carbon amount. Our study hypothesizes that organic matter from sward plant residues and root exudates increases agricultural soil’s stocks of SOC and WEOC. We compared these rates under different swards with cultivated fallow plots in the same area at the LAMMC, Akademija, Kedainiai district, Lithuania, on a Cambisol. The following plants were grown: Phleum pratense L., Trifolium pratense L., Arrhenatherum elatius L., Medicago sativa L. and their mixtures. Soil samples were taken from three replicates at 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in the autumn of 2023, after 3 years from experiment installation. The content of SOC was defined according to the Nikitin modification of the Tyurin dichromate oxidation method. The WEOC measurement was performed using the IR detection method after UV-catalysed persulphate oxidation. Soil bulk density was determined using a 5 cm diameter cylinder to calculate stocks of SOC and WEOC. Statistically significant differences were found in all studied soil layers, where SOC stock amounts ranged from 21.4 to 29.1 t/ha. The highest SOC stocks were found in the grass mixture plots. WEOC stocks, which are significant for soil organic matter turnover, differed less. According to our findings, incorporating perennial grasses into crop rotation is more effective than leaving the land fallow. This approach can increase carbon stocks in the soil. However, it is important to consider the characteristics of the chosen plants and opt for mixtures instead of relying on mono-crops.

Keywords: SOC, WEOC, carbon stocks, swards, fallow 

How to cite
Skersiene A., Slepetiene A., 2024. Assessment of SOC and WEOC stocks in the soil under different compositions of swards and fallow. 1st International Conference of Soil and Agriculture: Towards Soil Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICSA1.2.04