Influence of perennial forages on subsoil organic carbon in a long-term rotation study in Uruguay

Interest is increasing in Uruguay in management practices that can store carbon in soils, such as the use of perennial forage crops. Previous studies on agricultural soils have focused on organic carbon in surface soil layers. However, due to the ability of perennial forages to develop extensive root systems, the potential exists for these crops to add carbon in the subsoil. A 38-year rotation experiment on a silty clay loam soil in southwestern Uruguay was used to examine the effect of a crop rotation including periods of pasture on total organic carbon (TOC) and particulate (>53 μm) organic carbon (POC) at soil depths of 20–40 and 40–60 cm. Analysis showed the pasture rotation had higher POC concentrations at both depths than an annual crop rotation. This may indicate increased addition of organic carbon in the pasture rotation and signal a future change in TOC and mineral-associated organic carbon levels. Total organic carbon was higher in the rotation including pasture at a P level of 0.14. These results present preliminary observations on the management effects of including perennial forages in rotations on subsoil carbon levels, using a long-term experiment resource to assess very slow changes.