Long-Term Fertilization and Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Microbial Communities

Strategic Insights -

Research at the Institute of Soil Science has revealed the significant impact of fertilization and crop rotation on soil carbon sequestration, soil properties, and microbial communities in agroecosystems. The study, which was conducted over 64 years, applied different fertilization treatments to a Luvic Chernozem soil and monitored soil chemical and microbiological properties, as well as soil carbon dioxide emissions. The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer application most significantly affected soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and soil organic carbon content, altering the environment for soil microbial development and influencing the number and composition of soil microbial communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to assess the impact of fertilization and crop rotation on soil carbon sequestration, soil properties, and microbial communities in agroecosystems.
  • The research used a long-term fertilizer experiment in Luvic Chernozem, with fertilization treatments including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), NP, NK, PK, NPK, and control.
  • The study found that N fertilizer application most significantly affected soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and soil organic carbon content.
  • The study concluded that N fertilizer application altered the environment for soil microbial development and influenced the number and composition of soil microbial communities.
  • The field-measured soil C-CO2 emissions were the most intensive under NP (2.76 kg ha-1 h-1), NPK (2.83 kg ha-1 h-1), and PK (2.51 kg ha-1 day-1) treatments.
  • The highest organic carbon content was observed under the NPK (1.42%) and NP (1.43%) treatments.

Statistics:

  • Soil organic carbon content was observed to be 1.42% under the NPK treatment
  • Soil organic carbon content was observed to be 1.43% under the NP treatment
  • Field-measured soil C-CO2 emissions were 2.76 kg ha-1 h-1 under the NP treatment
  • Field-measured soil C-CO2 emissions were 2.83 kg ha-1 h-1 under the NPK treatment
  • Field-measured soil C-CO2 emissions were 2.51 kg ha-1 day-1 under the PK treatment

Sources:

  • Multivariate Analyses of Soil Properties and CO2 Emissions Under Long-Term Fertilization and Crop Rotation in Luvic Chernozem. Nitrogen, 2025,6(2):39. MDPI AG.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Institute of Soil Science Update Current Data on Ecology (Multivariate Analyses of Soil Properties and CO2 Emissions Under Long-Term Fertilization and Crop Rotation in Luvic Chernozem). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 11, 2025; p 2319.