Carbon status and structural stability of soils from differing land use systems in the Kingdom of Tonga

    Manu, V and Whitbread, A M and Blair, N and Blair, G (2014) Carbon status and structural stability of soils from differing land use systems in the Kingdom of Tonga. Soil Use and Management, 30 (04). pp. 517-523. ISSN 0266-0032

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    Abstract

    Maintenance of soil carbon stocks is vital for the environment at large and for maintenance of soil chemical, physical and biological fertility. Tonga represents a country in agricultural transition from subsistence to commercial production and whilst this is good for the national economy the impact on soil resources is less clear. The major cropped soils, fallow vegetation types and forest systems of Tonga were identified in each island group and samples of representative soils (0.15 m depth) from each land use unit were taken. Total carbon (CT) and δ13C were measured and labile carbon (CL) determined by oxidation with 333 mm KMnO4. These data were used to determine the carbon management index (CMI) and the proportion of carbon from C4 species in the CT pool. Relative to primary forest, the soil CT and CL generally declined with changes in vegetation and more intense mechanical tillage. The contribution of C4 plants to soil C increased with intensity of mechanical tillage and the prevalence of C4 guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacquin) fallow. The changes in soil C were reflected in the CMI, and CL was a more sensitive indicator of change than CT. These data indicates that all land use systems have experienced a large net loss of soil C relative to the forest systems. Soil mean weight diameter (MWD) decreased significantly with increased intensity of mechanical tillage and to a lesser extent with the intensity and length of cropping. The relationship between soil MWD and soil C was similar with soil CT and CL. Grass fallow was as effective as permanent vegetation systems in improving soil MWD and lowering the micro-aggregate (<125 μm) fraction.

    Item Type: Article
    Divisions: RP-Resilient Dryland Systems
    CRP: CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems
    Uncontrolled Keywords: Soil organic matter, Pacific islands, Fallow, Cultivation, Soil aggregates, Carbon status, Soil carbon stocks
    Subjects: Others > Soil Science
    Depositing User: Mr Ramesh K
    Date Deposited: 28 Apr 2016 09:15
    Last Modified: 28 Apr 2016 09:15
    URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/9459
    Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sum.12135
    Projects: UNSPECIFIED
    Funders: UNSPECIFIED
    Acknowledgement: The financial support for this study came from an Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the University of New England and the Tongan Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the various collaborative projects with ACIAR, FAO and IBSRAM organizations. The technical assistance of Leanne Lisle and Judy Kenny of the Department of Agronomy and Soil Science and the tireless teamwork provided by the members of the Plant Nutrition, Soil and Water section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Extension Division, in soil sampling, glasshouse and field experiments and laboratory analyses is gratefully acknowledged.
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