biostudies-literatureBegill NEuropean Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programmee70646https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12683473biostudies-literatureUnknown31(12)Stabilized soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual plays a crucial role in long-term atmospheric CO₂ sequestration. The organic carbon in the fine silt and clay size fraction (OC_fine) is typically mineral-associated and thus relatively stable. However, the SOC saturation concept suggests that the OC_fine has limited capacity for additional carbon (C) storage, thereby constraining further C sequestration. Low-OC and fine-textured soils are thought to have greater potential to stabilize additional OC than High-OC and coarse-textured soils due to their higher available storage space. Here, we assessed soils' potential to stabilize additional OC using 21 temperate agricultural soils, varying in SOC (0.7%-10.2%), silt + clay content (32%-92%), and OC loading of fine frGlobal change biologyIncreased Retention of Litter-Derived Organic Carbon With Increasing Initial Carbon Content in Temperate Agricultural Soils.PMC12683473862695Poeplau CBegill NDon AHoeschen CSchiedung MGuggenberger GSchweizer SAfalseIncreased Retention of Litter-Derived Organic Carbon With Increasing Initial Carbon Content in Temperate Agricultural Soils.Stabilized soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual plays a crucial role in long-term atmospheric CO₂ sequestration. The organic carbon in the fine silt and clay size fraction (OC_fine) is typically mineral-associated and thus relatively stable. However, the SOC saturation concept suggests that the OC_fine has limited capacity for additional carbon (C) storage, thereby constraining further C sequestration. Low-OC and fine-textured soils are thought to have greater potential to stabilize additional OC than High-OC and coarse-textured soils due to their higher available storage space. Here, we assessed soils' potential to stabilize additional OC using 21 temperate agricultural soils, varying in SOC (0.7%-10.2%), silt + clay content (32%-92%), and OC loading of fine fr2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-08T05:00:23.188Z2026-06-08T03:08:53.857ZS-EPMC126834734135572410.1111/gcb.70646