Root and mycorrhizal contributions to soil organic carbon changes following 12 years of poplar coppice on former cropland and grassland.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The establishment of bioenergy plantations as short-rotation coppice poplar systems has been proposed as a sustainable strategy to mitigate climate change through carbon capture. This study evaluates changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) after 12 years of poplar cultivation on former cropland and grassland in Belgium using repeated soil sampling to assess SOC stock changes and in-growth cores to identify carbon input pathways.

Methods

Using isotope tracing and in-growth cores with treatments excluding roots, mycorrhizae and above-ground inputs, we quantified the contributions of roots, mycorrhizae, and dissolved organic matter to new SOC formation and their interaction with the mineralization of native SOC.

Results

Results showed a significant incre

SUBMITTER: Berhongaray G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12830469 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature