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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106175115im_/http://www.ars.usda.gov/incme/images/Research_head.gif) |
Research Project:
IMPROVING SOIL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Location: NWISRL, Kimberly, Idaho
Title: IRRIGATION INCREASES CARBON IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS
Authors
![item](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106175115im_/http://www.ars.usda.gov/incme/images/bullet.gif) | Entry, James | ![item](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106175115im_/http://www.ars.usda.gov/incme/images/bullet.gif) | Sojka, Robert | ![item](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106175115im_/http://www.ars.usda.gov/incme/images/bullet.gif) | Shewmaker, Glenn - UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO |
Submitted to: International Soil Tillage Research Organization Proceedings
Publication Type:
Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2003
Publication Date: July 20, 2003
Citation: Entry, J.A., Sojka, R.E., Shewmaker, G.E. 2003. Irrigation increases carbon in agricultural soils. Proceedings of the 16th Triennial Conference of International Soil Tillage Research Organization: Soil Management for Sustainability. p. 391-395.
Interpretive Summary: We measured organic and inorganic C stored in southern Idaho soils having long term land use histories that supported native sagebrush vegetation (NSB), irrigated moldboard plowed crops (IMP), irrigated conservation -chisel- tilled crops (ICT) and irrigated pasture systems (IP). Inorganic C and total C (inorganic + organic C) in soil decreased in the order IMP>ICT> IP>NSB. We use our findings to estimate the amount of possible organic, inorganic and total C sequestration if irrigated agriculture were expanded by 10%. If irrigated agricultural land were expanded by 10% worldwide and NSB were converted to ICT 2.24 % of the total C emitted in the next 30 yr could be sequestered in soil. If irrigated agricultural land were expanded worldwide and NSB were converted to IP 1.174 % of the total C emitted in the next 30 yr could be sequestered in soils. Altering land use to produce crops on high output irrigated agriculture, while selected less-productive rainfed agricultural land were returned to temperate forest or native grassland, there could be meaningful reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Technical Abstract: We measured organic and inorganic C stored in southern Idaho soils having long term land use histories that supported native sagebrush vegetation (NSB), irrigated moldboard plowed crops (IMP), irrigated conservation -chisel- tilled crops (ICT) and irrigated pasture systems (IP). Inorganic C and total C (inorganic + organic C) in soil decreased in the order IMP>ICT> IP>NSB. We use our findings to estimate the amount of possible organic, inorganic and total C sequestration if irrigated agriculture were expanded by 10%. If irrigated agricultural land were expanded by 10% worldwide and NSB were converted to IMP, a possible total (organic +inorganic) C 2.72 % of the total C emitted in the next 30 yr could be sequestered in soil. If irrigated agricultural land were expanded by 10% worldwide and NSB were converted to ICT, a possible 2.24 % of the total C emitted in the next 30 yr could be sequestered in soil. If irrigated agricultural land were expanded worldwide and NSB were converted to IP a possible gain of 1.174 % of the total C emitted in the next 30 yr could be sequestered in soils. Altering land use to produce crops on high output irrigated agriculture, while selected less-productive rainfed agricultural land were returned to temperate forest or native grassland, there could be meaningful reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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Last Modified: 11/05/2008
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