A 13‐Year Record Indicates Differences in the Duration and Depth of Soil Carbon Accrual Among Potential Bioenergy Crops

Kantola, I. B.; Blanc‐Betes, E.; von Haden, A.; Masters, M. D.; Blakely, B.; Bernacchi, C. J.; DeLucia, E. H.

doi:10.1111/gcbb.70080

A 13‐Year Record Indicates Differences in the Duration and Depth of Soil Carbon Accrual Among Potential Bioenergy Crops

Journal Article · Thu Sep 18 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · GCB Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.70080· OSTI ID:2589423

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
University of Wisconsin‐Madison, WI (United States)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); USDA-ARS, Urbana, IL (United States)

Six years after replacing a maize/soybean cropping system, perennial grasses miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and a 28-species restored prairie increased particulate organic carbon in surface soils without increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). To resolve potential changes in the quantity and distribution of SOC, soils were resampled after seven to thirteen years to measure bulk density, carbon (C) content, and stable C isotopes to a depth of 1 m. SOC stocks increased between 1.75 and 2.5 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in all perennial crops between 2008 and 2016 (nine growing seasons). Despite relatively low litter inputs and belowground biomass, the highest rate of SOC accrual was in restored prairie (2.5 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), followed by miscanthus (2.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and switchgrass (1.75 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The change in SOC in maize/soybean was not significant. After 2016, total SOC decreased in maize/soybean and miscanthus, resulting in slower overall rates of SOC accumulation over the full sampling period for miscanthus (0.8 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The rate of SOC accumulation was greatest below 50 cm depth for restored prairie and switchgrass but in the top 10 cm for miscanthus. Stable isotope analysis showed ¹³C enrichment in all depths of switchgrass soils, an indication of new organic C accumulation, but mixed results in all other crops. Planting perennial crops on land formerly in an annual maize/soybean cropping system can slow or reverse soil carbon losses, with the greatest increases in SOC from species-rich prairie.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); Leverhulme Research Centre Award

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0018420

OSTI ID:: 2589423

Journal Information:: GCB Bioenergy, Journal Name: GCB Bioenergy Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 17; ISSN 1757-1693; ISSN 1757-1707

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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agriculture
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A 13‐Year Record Indicates Differences in the Duration and Depth of Soil Carbon Accrual Among Potential Bioenergy Crops

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