Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Carbon sequestration under subtropical perennial pastures I: Overall trends

Jonathan Sanderman A B F , I. R. P. Fillery A C , R. Jongepier A C , A. Massalsky A B , M. M. Roper A C , L. M. Macdonald A B , T. Maddern A B , D. V. Murphy D , B. R. Wilson E and J. A. Baldock A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture National Research Flagship.

B CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag 2, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.

C CSIRO Plant Industry, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.

D Soil Biology and Molecular Ecology Group, School of Earth and Environment, Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

E University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: jonathan.sanderman@csiro.au

Soil Research 51(8) 760-770 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13111
Submitted: 29 November 2012  Accepted: 31 May 2013   Published: 20 December 2013

Abstract

The use of subtropical perennial grasses in temperate grazing systems is increasingly being promoted for production and environmental benefits. This study employed a combination of elemental and stable isotope analyses to explore whether pastures sown to either kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) or a combination of panic (Panicum maximum) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) could increase soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in five regions across southern Australia. Carbon was sequestered under kikuyu at a rate of 0.90 ± 0.25 Mg C ha–1 year–1 along the south coast of Western Australia. Lower but still significant sequestration rates were found for kikuyu in South Australia (0.26 ± 0.13 Mg C ha–1 year–1). No changes in SOC were found for panic–Rhodes grass pasture systems in the northern district of Western Australia. Additionally, we found no changes in SOC when kikuyu-based pastures were established on formerly cropped paddocks in the Namoi Catchment of New South Wales. Stable isotope results corroborated these findings and suggested that, where SOC has accumulated, the gains have been dominated by SOC derived from the perennial vegetation and have been concentrated in the upper 10 cm of soil.


References

Baldock JA, Sanderman J, Macdonald LM, Puccini A, Hawke B, Szarvas S, McGowan J (2013a) Quantifying the allocation of soil organic carbon to biologically significant fractions. Soil Research 51, 561–576.

Baldock JA, Hawke B, Sanderman J, Macdonald LM (2013b) Predicting contents of carbon and its component fractions in Australian soils from diffuse reflectance mid-infrared spectra. Soil Research 51, 577–595.

Bruce S, Sims J, Walcott J, Baldock J, Grace P (2009) ‘Soil carbon management and carbon trading.’ (Bureau of Rural Sciences: Canberra, ACT)

Cerling TE, Quade J, Wang Y, Bowman JR (1989) Carbon isotopes in soils and paleosols as ecology and paleoecology indicators. Nature 341, 138–139.
Carbon isotopes in soils and paleosols as ecology and paleoecology indicators.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXlvFyrs70%3D&md5=136a04a278406e5f6ed884d018dcb1abCAS |

Chan KY, Oates A, Li GD, Conyers MK, Prangnell RJ, Poile G, Liu DL, Barchia IM (2010) Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 48, 7–15.
Soil carbon stocks under different pastures and pasture management in the higher rainfall areas of south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXisVCgtbc%3D&md5=6ba9a0bc46d097b10197775c381d6d78CAS |

Chan KY, Conyers MK, Li GD, Helyar KR, Poile G, Oates A, Barchia IM (2011) Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments. Soil Research 49, 320–328.
Soil carbon dynamics under different cropping and pasture management in temperate Australia: Results of three long-term experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chapman G, Gray J, Murphy B, Atkinson G, Leys J, Muller R, Peasley B, Wilson B, Bowman G, McInnes-Clarke S, Tulau M, Morand D, Yang X (2011) Assessing the condition of soils in NSW. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Program, Technical Report Series. Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government, Sydney.

Craig H (1957) Isotopic standards for carbon and oxygen and correction factors for mass spectrometric analyses of carbon dioxide. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 12, 133–149.
Isotopic standards for carbon and oxygen and correction factors for mass spectrometric analyses of carbon dioxide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG2sXpslylsQ%3D%3D&md5=17be00b946d011c74dd8ad0758c6f3fdCAS |

Dalal RC, Mayer RJ (1986) Long-term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. 1. Overall changes in soil properties and trends in winter cereal yields. Australian Journal of Soil Research 24, 265–279.
Long-term trends in fertility of soils under continuous cultivation and cereal cropping in southern Queensland. 1. Overall changes in soil properties and trends in winter cereal yields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28XkvFKmsL8%3D&md5=667603d7f539d89cbe2c71763db5ce38CAS |

Guo LB, Gifford RM (2002) Soil carbon stocks and land use change: a meta analysis. Global Change Biology 8, 345–360.
Soil carbon stocks and land use change: a meta analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hill MJ, Pearson CJ, Campbell LC (1985) Growth of seedlings of prairie grass and tall fescue in small swards of kikuyu at different temperatures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 36, 213–220.
Growth of seedlings of prairie grass and tall fescue in small swards of kikuyu at different temperatures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Isbell RF (2002) ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ Revised edn (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Jackson LE, Roy J (1986) Growth-patterns of Mediterranean annual and perennial grasses under simulated rainfall regimes of southern France and California. Acta Oecologica – Oecologia Plantarum 7, 191–212.

Janik LJ (2006) ‘Predict Ver 6.0 MIR Soil Analysis Software.’ (CSIRO Land and Water: Adelaide, S. Aust.)

Janik LJ, Skjemstad JO (1995) Characterization and analysis of soils using mid-infrared partial least-squares. 2. Correlations with some laboratory data. Australian Journal of Soil Research 33, 637–650.
Characterization and analysis of soils using mid-infrared partial least-squares. 2. Correlations with some laboratory data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXotlygtbw%3D&md5=dfb3eaf0b84021535540511f5bd05928CAS |

Jenny H (1941) ‘Factors of soil formation: A system of quantitative pedology.’ (McGraw-Hill: New York)

King D, Wilson B (2010) Soil Carbon Monitoring Project. Project Report to Namoi CMA, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney.

Kort J, Collins M, Ditsch D (1998) A review of soil erosion potential associated with biomass crops. Biomass and Bioenergy 14, 351–359.
A review of soil erosion potential associated with biomass crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lawes RA, Robertson MJ (2012) Effect of subtropical perennial grass pastures on nutrients and carbon in coarse-textured soils on a Mediterranean climate. Soil Research 50, 551–561.
Effect of subtropical perennial grass pastures on nutrients and carbon in coarse-textured soils on a Mediterranean climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xhs12jsrjN&md5=3cea76d4b16abc565de42a53165359ddCAS |

Li GD, Helyar KR, Welham SJ, Conyers MK, Castleman LJC, Fisher RP, Evans CM, Cullis BR, Cregan PD (2006) Pasture and sheep responses to lime application in a grazing experiment in a high-rainfall area, south-eastern Australia. I. Pasture production. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 57, 1045–1055.
Pasture and sheep responses to lime application in a grazing experiment in a high-rainfall area, south-eastern Australia. I. Pasture production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moore G, Albertsen T, van Gool D, Titterington J (2006) Poor persistence of subtropical grasses over winter. In ‘Proceedings of the 13th Australian Agronomy Conference’. 10–14 September 2006, Perth, W. Aust. (Eds NC Turner, T Acuna, RC Johnson) (Australian Society of Agronomy/The Regional Institute Ltd: Gosford, NSW) Available at: www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2006/concurrent/environment/4537_moorega.htm

Neal JS, Eldridge SM, Fulkerson WJ, Lawrie R, Barchia IM (2013) Differences in soil carbon sequestration and soil nitrogen among forages used by the dairy industry. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 57, 542–548.
Differences in soil carbon sequestration and soil nitrogen among forages used by the dairy industry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXitVGjsrs%3D&md5=a3b2cb98fddb69ecd1ece63191b5853cCAS |

Nichols PGH, Yates RJ, Loo V, Wintle BJ, Titterington JW, Barrett-Lennard EG, Stevens JC, Dixon KW, Moore GA (2012) Establishment of sub-tropical perennial grasses in south-western Australia. Future Farm Industries CRC Technical Report No. 9, Perth, W. Aust.

Nie ZN, Miller S, Moore GA, Hackney BF, Boschma SP, Reed KFM, Mitchell M, Albertsen TO, Clark S, Craig AD, Kearney G, Li GD, Dear BS (2008) Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 424–435.
Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Paydar Z, Huth N, Ringrose-Voase A, Young R, Bernardi T, Keating B, Cresswell H (2005) Deep drainage and land use systems. Model verification and systems comparison. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 995–1007.
Deep drainage and land use systems. Model verification and systems comparison.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Phillips DL, Gregg JW (2001) Uncertainty in source partitioning using stable isotopes. Oecologia 127, 171–179.
Uncertainty in source partitioning using stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Richards GP (2001) ‘The FullCAM Carbon Accounting Model: Development, calibration and implementation for the National Carbon Accounting System.’ (Department of Climate Change: Canberra, ACT)

Roper MM, Fillery IRP, Jongepier R, Macdonald LM, Sanderman J, Baldock JA (2013) Allocation into soil organic matter fractions of 14C captured via photosynthesis by two perennial grass pastures. Soil Research 51, 748–759.

Sanderman J, Amundson RG (2003) Biogeochemistry of decomposition and detrital processing. In ‘Treatise on geochemistry. Vol. 8: Biogeochemistry’. (Eds HD Holland, KK Turekein) (Elsevier Science Ltd: Oxford, UK)

Sanderman J, Farquharson R, Baldock JA (2010) Soil carbon sequestration potential: A review for Australian agriculture. Report to the Australian Department of Climate Change. Technical Report, CSIRO Land and Water, Adelaide, S. Aust. Available at: www.csiro.au/resources/Soil-Carbon-Sequestration-Potential-Report.html

Sanderman J, Baldock J, Hawke B, Macdonald L, Massis-Puccini A, Szarvas S (2012a) National Soil Carbon Research Programme: Field and laboratory methodologies. Report to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Sanderman J, Fillery I, Jongepier R, Massalsky A, Roper M, Macdonald L, Maddern T, Murphy D, Baldock J (2012b) Quantification of carbon input to soils under important perennial pasture systems used in Australian agriculture: C3/C4 transitions. Report to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Sanderman J, Fillery I, Jongepier R, Massalsky A, Roper M, Macdonald L, Maddern T, Murphy D, Baldock J (2013) Carbon sequestration under subtropical perennial pastures II: Carbon dynamics. Soil Research 51, 771–780.

Sanford P, Wang X, Greathead KD, Gladman JH, Speijers J (2003) Impact of Tasmanian blue gum belts and groundwater recharge in south-western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43, 755–767.
Impact of Tasmanian blue gum belts and groundwater recharge in south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stewart CE, Paustian K, Conant RT, Plante AF, Six J (2007) Soil carbon saturation: concept, evidence and evaluation. Biogeochemistry 86, 19–31.
Soil carbon saturation: concept, evidence and evaluation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVagtbbE&md5=97c9a4103ce0ddabe20c250ca7284185CAS |

Thomas DT, Sanderman J, Eady SJ, Masters DG, Sanford P (2012) Whole farm net greenhouse gas abatement from establishing kikuyu-based perennial pastures in south-western Australia. Animals 2, 316–330.
Whole farm net greenhouse gas abatement from establishing kikuyu-based perennial pastures in south-western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wilson GWT, Hartnett DC (1998) Interspecific variation in plant responses to mycorrhizal colonization in tallgrass prairie. American Journal of Botany 85, 1732–1738.
Interspecific variation in plant responses to mycorrhizal colonization in tallgrass prairie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MnhtlGitA%3D%3D&md5=d7a606181f7e8f385c9cac0090e20bb3CAS |

Young RR, Wilson B, Harden S, Bernardi A (2009) Accumulation of soil carbon under zero tillage cropping and perennial vegetation on the Liverpool Plains, eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 47, 273–285.
Accumulation of soil carbon under zero tillage cropping and perennial vegetation on the Liverpool Plains, eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXmtlWrtbY%3D&md5=007d3833e7eff336abf40f5b29ecb532CAS |