Changes in soil carbon stock under the wheat-based cropping systems at Vojvodina province of Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in relation to the carbon (C) input from nine wheat-based cropping systems and untilled grass. The SOC pool ranged from 32.1 to 49.4 Mg ha−1 at 0–20 cm and from 94 to 171 Mg ha−1 at 0–100 cm for the arable soil, while in untilled grassland, it was higher (54 and 185 Mg C ha−1, respectively). SOC stock was observed to be lower at the unfertilized 2-year rotation and higher at the 4-year rotation with manure and mineral fertilization. The study showed a winter wheat yield decrease of 176.8 kg ha−1 for a 1- Mg ha−1 SOC stock change in the 0–20-cm soil depth. The estimated C input for SOC stock maintenance was from 266 to 340 g C m−2 year−1 for winter wheat and rotations, respectively. Additional C input did not increase the SOC pool, suggesting that arable plots had a limited ability to increase SOC. These results provide guidance for the selection of management practices to improve C sequestration.