What drives roots’ decomposition and carbon storage in grassland soils?

November 1, 2021 – Did you know that various management tactics can force grass roots to break down, decompose, and add to the stored carbon pool in soil? The November 1^st Soils Matter blog explores the driving factors behind root decomposition in silvopastoral systems.

Blogger Amanda Ashworth explains, “As plant roots die off and decompose, nutrients and carbon are released to soils. The same is true for grasses. The dead roots also become part of the important organic matter in soil. Microbes that live in the soil use this as food for energy and form organic matter. Decomposition of roots is a major source of soil carbon and are important aspects of ecosystem function.”

To improve the current understanding of root turnover in silvopastures, Ashworth and her research team evaluated:

• decomposition rate differences between forage species (native and non-native);
• fertility (poultry litter and a control), soil moisture (wet and dry); and,
• grazing management (grazed and an un-grazed control).

To learn what they found, read the entire blog: https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/2021/11/01/what-drives-roots-decomposition-and-carbon-storage-in-grassland-soils/

For more information about soils, follow SSSA on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SSSA.soils, Twitter at SSSA_Soils. SSSA has soils information on www.soils.org/discover-soils, for teachers at www.soils4teachers.org, and for students through 12^th grade, www.soils4kids.org.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members and 1,000+ certified professionals dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. The Society provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.