• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: Restoring particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon through regenerative agriculture
  • Contributor: Prairie, Aaron M.; King, Alison E.; Cotrufo, M. Francesca
  • Published: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023
  • Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (2023) 21
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217481120
  • ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:p>Sustainability of agricultural production and mitigation of global warming rely on the regeneration of soil organic carbon (SOC), in particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) forms. We conducted a global systematic meta-analysis of the effects of regenerative management practices on SOC, POC, and MAOC in cropland, finding: 1) no-till (NT) and cropping system intensification increase SOC (11.3% and 12.4%, respectively), MAOC (8.5% and 7.1%, respectively), and POC (19.7% and 33.3%, respectively) in topsoil (0 to 20 cm), but not in subsoil (&gt;20 cm); 2) experimental duration, tillage frequency, the intensification type, and rotation diversity moderate the effects of regenerative management; and 3) NT synergized with integrated crop–livestock (ICL) systems to greatly increase POC (38.1%) and cropping intensification synergized with ICL systems to greatly increase MAOC (33.1 to 53.6%). This analysis shows that regenerative agriculture is a key strategy to reduce the soil C deficit inherent to agriculture to promote both soil health and long-term C stabilization.</jats:p>
  • Access State: Open Access