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Long-term impacts of farming systems on soil carbon and nutrient stocks

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Bell, L. W., Duric, B., Lester, D. W., Gentry, J. and Erbacher, A. (2026) Long-term impacts of farming systems on soil carbon and nutrient stocks. GRDC Update .

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Article Link: https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grd...

Abstract

Soil carbon and nitrogen inputs drive long-term soil C changes. Most cropping systems continue to deplete soil carbon and nutrient stocks. Changing crop mix and fertiliser input have small impacts on soil C compared to current baseline systems. Crop intensity that increases crop biomass inputs can induce slightly higher soil C while lower crop intensity can reduce soil C. Large applications of organic amendments can significantly increase soil C, but this was short-lived and no advantage in soil C was evident after 9-10 years. Long-term pastures or pasture leys are the most effective way to enhance soil C stocks, but soil C will decline again in the cropping phase.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Department of Primary Industries, Queensland
Projects:DAQ2007-004RMX
Business groups:Crop and Food Science
Additional Information:DPI authors: David Lester, Jayne Gentry, Andrew Erbacher
Keywords:soil, carbon, fertility, rotation, pasture, organic matter
Subjects:Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Farm economics. Farm management. Agricultural mathematics
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Agriculture and the environment
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Soils. Soil science > Soil chemistry
Agriculture > Agriculture (General) > Soils. Soil science > Soil and crops. Soil-plant relationships. Soil productivity
Live Archive:03 Jun 2026 01:36
Last Modified:03 Jun 2026 01:36

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