ORCA General Poster Session (Virtual)
Estimating Soil Carbon Pools from Three Slope Positions under Hemp Production in Western Kentucky
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Agriculture Systems Technology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Iin Handayani
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Estimating Soil Carbon Pools from Three Slope Positions under Hemp Production
in Western Kentucky
K. Hatchett and I.P. Handayani
Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA
Abstract
There is an increase interest in the ability of soil to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. While more research focused on the capacity of various ecosystems in providing soil organic C (SOC), study on the contribution of slope positions or erosion on different soil C pools is limited, especially under hemp production. This research was initiated to determine the changes and distribution of soil C pools include soil organic C (SOC), particulate organic matter C (POM C), and soil C in aggregates (SAC) in various landscapes. Supporting data such soil compaction level (SCL) and soil water holding capacity (SWHC) was evaluated to show the impact of soil erosion on physical properties. The data indicated that SOC increased along the downward slope while SAC and POM varied throughout. Soil compaction increased in the shoulder but shows a decrease in the back slope positions. On the other hand, the lowest SWHC was found in the shoulder positions. These variations among the properties will eventually decrease crop productivity, which calls for an assessment in agriculture management practices. The results showed that there is considerable potential for C sequestration at middle and back slope positions through fertilization. Understanding the differences SOC pools in various landscapes will help the land managers to create better plans for land resources management to improve crop production while improving C sequestration to lower climate change effects.
Key words: Carbon Sequestration, Compaction, Hemp, Particulate Organic Matter, Soil Organic Matter, Water Stable Aggregates
Spring Scholars Week 2020 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Estimating Soil Carbon Pools from Three Slope Positions under Hemp Production in Western Kentucky
Estimating Soil Carbon Pools from Three Slope Positions under Hemp Production
in Western Kentucky
K. Hatchett and I.P. Handayani
Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA
Abstract
There is an increase interest in the ability of soil to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. While more research focused on the capacity of various ecosystems in providing soil organic C (SOC), study on the contribution of slope positions or erosion on different soil C pools is limited, especially under hemp production. This research was initiated to determine the changes and distribution of soil C pools include soil organic C (SOC), particulate organic matter C (POM C), and soil C in aggregates (SAC) in various landscapes. Supporting data such soil compaction level (SCL) and soil water holding capacity (SWHC) was evaluated to show the impact of soil erosion on physical properties. The data indicated that SOC increased along the downward slope while SAC and POM varied throughout. Soil compaction increased in the shoulder but shows a decrease in the back slope positions. On the other hand, the lowest SWHC was found in the shoulder positions. These variations among the properties will eventually decrease crop productivity, which calls for an assessment in agriculture management practices. The results showed that there is considerable potential for C sequestration at middle and back slope positions through fertilization. Understanding the differences SOC pools in various landscapes will help the land managers to create better plans for land resources management to improve crop production while improving C sequestration to lower climate change effects.
Key words: Carbon Sequestration, Compaction, Hemp, Particulate Organic Matter, Soil Organic Matter, Water Stable Aggregates