Analyzing how the agricultural microbiome impacts soil carbon stability under different management practices
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Date
2025-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Increasing carbon storage in agricultural lands is becoming critical as reducing carbon in the atmosphere is essential for mitigating climate change. Soil carbon sequestration occurs when more carbon is stored in the soil than what escapes the soil. Historically, agricultural activities have depleted soil carbon, but microbial communities offer a promising solution as they can effectively store carbon. Microbes are vital as they contribute to crucial soil functions and strongly influence soil dynamics, making it essential to understand how specific microbial taxa contribute to carbon storage. Microbial mechanisms such as biocrust formation, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) synthesis, and more could be the solution to enhancing soil carbon sequestration.
To combat climate change, regenerative farming practices have been reintroduced into agricultural land management. More farmers have transitioned to no-till practices as an alternative to conventional tillage. Tillage is a farming practice that helps prepare the soil for plant growth through weed suppression and soil aeration. However, tillage disrupts soil structure, accelerates surface runoff, increases soil erosion, and reduces crop residue, negatively impacting soil microorganisms. In comparison, no-till protects soil through decreased soil erosion, increased soil carbon, and increased soil organic matter.
This study aims to quantify the effect of tillage practices on soil microbial communities, using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), Internally Transcribed Spacer (ITS), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi amplicon sequencing. Soil samples were taken from Coshocton, Ohio, from active till and no-till sites. Results revealed that tillage significantly alters the soil microbial community composition compared to no-tillage. This research highlights the potential of targeted microbial strategies and regenerative agricultural practices to optimize carbon sequestration and improve soil health.
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Keywords
soil, microbes, carbon sequestration