Role of physical organic carbon fractions on the soil structural stability and soil penetration resistance induced by diversification crop systems

• Grant number: 25/00292-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Roberto Cherubin
• Grantee: Pedro Chudzik
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Crop intensification and diversification in agricultural production systems has been shown to be a promising strategy to sequester C and, consequently, mitigate global warming and climate change, as well as promote improvements in the production system. The continuous contribution of C to the soil can promote significant improvements in the aggregation process and structural quality of the soil, regulating many physical processes in the soil. Studies have reported that C plays a key role in the process of gaining soil strength, directly influencing soil resistance to root penetration. The purpose of this project is to test the hypothesis that the diversification of cropping systems increases the stock of C in the soil over time, increasing the mechanical strength. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the influence of total and physically fractionated C contents on the soil structural stability and soil penetration resistance. Sampling scenarios will include different stages of crop system cultivation that induce variations in organic carbon fractions. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples will be samples at the 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm depth layers to determine total and fractionated soil C, soil bulk density, soil resistance penetration, and aggregate stability. It is expected that the C and the time of conduction of the crop systems induce structural stability and condition the increased soil mechanical resistance by the formation of C bonds while promoting better structural soil conditions for root development.