1. Potential of Global Cropland Phytolith Carbon Sink from Optimization of Cropping System and Fertilization.
- Author
-
Song, Zhaoliang, Parr, Jeffrey F., and Guo, Fengshan
- Subjects
- *
FARM management , *PHYTOLITHS , *CARBON cycle , *CROPPING systems , *CHRONIC wounds & injuries , *PLANT cells & tissues , *AGRICULTURAL productivity - Abstract
The occlusion of carbon (C) by phytoliths, the recalcitrant silicified structures deposited within plant tissues, is an important persistent C sink mechanism for croplands and other grass-dominated ecosystems. By constructing a silica content-phytolith content transfer function and calculating the magnitude of phytolith C sink in global croplands with relevant crop production data, this study investigated the present and potential of phytolith C sinks in global croplands and its contribution to the cropland C balance to understand the cropland C cycle and enhance long-term C sequestration in croplands. Our results indicate that the phytolith sink annually sequesters 26.35±10.22 Tg of carbon dioxide (CO2) and may contribute 40±18% of the global net cropland soil C sink for 1961โ2100. Rice (25%), wheat (19%) and maize (23%) are the dominant contributing crop species to this phytolith C sink. Continentally, the main contributors are Asia (49%), North America (17%) and Europe (16%). The sink has tripled since 1961, mainly due to fertilizer application and irrigation. Cropland phytolith C sinks may be further enhanced by adopting cropland management practices such as optimization of cropping system and fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF