Smart Mixture Design Can Steer the Fate of Root-Derived Carbon Into Mineral-Associated and Particulate Organic Matter in Intensively Managed Grasslands.

ABSTRACT: Species choice and richness in intensively managed grassland mixtures regulate soil carbon (C) input via rhizodeposition, with potential consequences for long-term soil organic carbon storage. Based on a field trial with different grass-legume-forb mixtures, we removed roots from the soil, which was then subjected to particle-size fractionation to trace fresh organic carbon (net C rhizodeposition) into particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). We related these C input fractions to root traits. Using multiple-pulse ¹³C-CO₂-labeling, we captured the net formation of mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) at the end of the growing season. Pure stand perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) had higher

SUBMITTER: Mortensen EO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11883481 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature