Organic cultivation of jasmine and tea increases carbon sequestration by changing plant and soil stoichiometry
Wang, Weiqi (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Min, Qingwen (Zhongguo ke xue yuan. Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Wang, Chun (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Asensio, Dolores (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Bartrons Vilamala, Mireia (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Peñuelas, Josep (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal i d'Ecologia)

Date:	2016
Abstract:	Organic cultivation methods would be a good alternative to conventional cultivation, avoiding the use of industrial fertilizer and reducing the risk of eutrophication, but its impacts on soil elemental composition and stoichiometry warrants to be clearly stated. This study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term organic cultivation on soil elemental composition, stoichiometry, and C storing capacity and CO² emissions in the plant-soil systems of jasmine (Jasminum spp. ) and tea [Camellia sinensis (L. ) Ktze. ] plantations in Fujian and other regions in China. We examined the impact of organic cultivation on the concentrations, contents and stoichiometric relationships among C, N, P, and K. Organic cultivation was associated with lower plant N and P concentrations, and P mineralomasses and with higher total plant C/N, C/P, C/K, and N/P ratios and higher soil N and P concentrations and contents at some depths. Organic cultivation was thus associated with a shift of P from plants to soil and with a higher nutrient-use efficiency in biomass production, mainly of P. Soil CO² emissions were higher under organic cultivation, but the soil was able to accumulate more C with no changes in C storage in plant biomass, suggesting that organic cultivation could increase the overall C sequestration, thereby mitigating climate change and enhancing soil nutrient content. Our results thus showed that the organic cultivation of jasmine and tea in Fujian can improve soil fertility and C accumulation, reduce the use of industrial fertilizers and phytosanitary products, and improve product quality without loss of economical profits.
Grants:	European Commission 610028 European Commission 282910 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2013-48074-P Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2014/SGR-274
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Published in:	Agronomy journal, Vol. 108, No. 4, p. 1636-1648 (2016) , ISSN 0002-1962

DOI: 10.2134/agronj2015.0559

Post-print 34 p, 1.8 MB

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