Submit to Agriculture Review for Agriculture Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Soils".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2026) | Viewed by 8396

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qiang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
Interests: terrestrial ecosystem; soil organic carbon; biomarker; soil carbon biogeochemistry; plant–soil carbon allocation; soil elements
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jian Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: coastal wetland; sulfur cycle; carbon sink function; plant invasion; pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agroecosystems cover over 40% of Earth's land surface and play a central role in mitigating climate change. Soil is the largest terrestrial reservoir of organic carbon and is fundamental for climate change mitigation and carbon–climate feedbacks. Soil organic carbon is a key factor in regulating soil fertility, plant growth, microbial community structure, and soil sustainable development. Unfortunately, expanding and intensifying agriculture is ongoing, thus causing soil carbon (i.e., soil organic carbon and inorganic carbon) loss. Thus, studying agricultural soil carbon dynamics, regulatory mechanisms and carbon sequestration potential at different spatial–temporal scales is critical to addressing climate change, ensuring food security, maintaining ecosystem services, assisting land resource management and providing sustainable development decisions. Taken together, we invite submissions that mainly assess the available knowledge and evidence on the soil organic carbon dynamics, carbon pool and carbon sequestration potential of various ecosystems (e.g., agriculture, grassland and wetland ecosystems and land cover and use change) across a wide range of disciplines (e.g., agronomy, ecology, biology, geomorphology, hydrology, and geographic information science). They can be based on simulated/manipulative experiments, field observational, modeling, and meta-analytic techniques. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Effects of environmental factors on agricultural soil carbon dynamics, carbon sequestration and carbon storage;
2) The influence and mechanism of species heterogeneity and population/ community structure change (including plants, animals, and microorganisms) on soil carbon cycling;
3) Linkages between agricultural soil carbon cycling and other elements (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon);
4) The effects of land use change and cover (including grassland conversion to farmland, wetland drainage and grazing, crop–livestock grazing systems, species pairing techniques, and abandoned agricultural land restoration) on soil carbon dynamics;
5) Conservation and restoration solutions to improve the ecological services of soil and enhance carbon sink function.

All types of manuscript are welcome.

Dr. Qiang Wang
Dr. Jian Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant–soil carbon allocation
soil organic carbon
soil nutrition
microbial community
carbon and water cycle
biogenic elements
soil sustainable development

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

17 pages, 2018 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Rock Weathering Increases Soil Carbon but Reduces Soil Organic Carbon Stability in Subtropical Croplands

by Lei Ma, Manyi Li, Hualian Zhang, Zheng Mao, Shuqing Zhang, Chen Wang, Cheng Li, Shiwei Liu and Pujia Yu

Agriculture 2026, 16(3), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16030338 - 30 Jan 2026

Viewed by 956

Abstract

Enhanced rock weathering is regarded as a promising carbon dioxide removal method because of its potential to sequester soil inorganic carbon (SIC). However, the influence of enhanced rock weathering on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content, fractions and stability remains poorly understood. A randomized block experiment design employing five basalt addition rates (0 (CK), 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 kg·m⁻²) and four replicates was designed to investigate the influences of basalt addition on SOC and SIC content and stocks, SOC fractions and SOC stability in subtropical cropland, where Zea mays L. and Brassica juncea (L.) Czern were annually rotated. Soil samples were collected from depths of 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm one year after the addition of basalt. The results showed that enhanced rock weathering increased the total carbon content and stock by increasing both the SOC and SIC in a one-year field experiment. Compared with CK, basalt addition rates of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 kg·m⁻² increased the SOC stock by 16%, 23%, 21% and 19%, respectively, and the SIC stock by 37%, 30%, 35% and 32%, respectively. The labile carbon fraction was the primary organic carbon fraction, which accounted for more than 40% of the total SOC content. Enhanced rock weathering altered the content of the very labile carbon fraction due to its high sensitivity to basalt addition, but had little effect on the stable carbon fraction content in a one-year field experiment. Compared with CK, basalt addition increased the very labile carbon fraction content by 12% and 46%, respectively, according to samples from depths of 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm. Under basalt addition rates of 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 kg·m⁻², the SOC stability index was 26%, 21%, 17% and 20%, respectively, lower than that under the 0-addition rate in a one-year field experiment, which was 1.63, indicating that enhanced rock weathering reduced the SOC stability. Our findings indicated that enhanced rock weathering increased soil carbon (both of SOC and SIC) sequestration, but reduced the SOC stability in a one-year field experiment in subtropical croplands. These observed trends in changes in soil carbon will be further tested and evaluated as the experiment continues in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3639 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reduced Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Driven by Long-Term Nitrogen Deposition-Induced Increases in Microbial Biomass Carbon-to-Phosphorus Ratio in Alpine Grassland

by Jianbo Wu, Hui Zhao, Fan Chen and Xiaodan Wang

Agriculture 2026, 16(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16010001 - 19 Dec 2025

Viewed by 763

Abstract

The effect of nitrogen (N) deposition on soil organic carbon (SOC) and the underlying mechanisms in grassland ecosystems remain a topic of debate. Moreover, previous research has primarily concentrated on interaction between carbon (C) and N cycles in response to N deposition, with less attention paid to how N-induced phosphorus (P) deficits impact SOC sequestration. To further investigate whether soil microbial stoichiometry influences SOC sequestration under N enrichment, we conducted a field experiment involving N and P additions. The soil properties, nutrients within plant leaves and microbial biomass, and the potential activity of eco-enzymes related to microbial nutrient acquisition were measured. Results showed that SOC did not significantly change with N addition, and SOC significantly increased with addition of N and P together, which suggested that the SOC was depleted with N addition. Soil available phosphorus and microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) did not significantly decrease alongside N addition, which suggested that microbes alleviated P limitation. Microbial metabolic limitation analysis showed microbial P limitation was enhanced by N10 treatment. At the same time, microbial P limitation enhanced microbial C limitation. Consequently, microbes also required more C as an energy resource to invest in enzyme production. Microbial P and C limitations were both significantly negatively correlated with SOC. Results from SEM analysis also showed that the MBC:MBP ratio was significantly negatively correlated with SOC. These results support the idea that consumer-driven nutrient recycling shapes the dynamics of SOC. Therefore, nitrogen deposition-induced MBC:MBP imbalance may regulate SOC in alpine grassland ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4669 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Caragana korshinskii Plantation Succession on Community Stability in Alpine Sandy Regions

by Zhengchen Shi, Li Ma, Zhonghua Zhang, Honglin Li, Dengxian Wei, Xuebin Zhao, Ruimin Qin, Hongye Su, Shan Li, Xue Hu, Haze Ade and Huakun Zhou

Agriculture 2025, 15(11), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15111143 - 26 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1129

Abstract

Climate change and intensified human activities have led to plant degradation and land desertification in desert areas, which seriously threaten ecological security. The establishment of the Caragana korshinskii plantation is considered to be one of the important means to improve the ecological environment in thealpine sandy region. This study focuses on Caragana korshinskii plantation in the alpine sandy region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Adopting a space-for-time substitution approach, six restoration chrono sequences were selected: 0 years, 5 years, 15 years, 25 years, 35 years, and 50 years. By investigating the variations in vegetation community composition and soil properties, we aim to elucidate the plant and soil system interactions under different restoration durations. The findings will clarify the stability evolution patterns of Caragana korshinskii plantation during desertification control and contribute to promoting green development strategies. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: With the passage of planting time, the plant biomass and species diversity of the Caragana korshinskii plantation community showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, reaching their peak in 25~35 years. Soil water content exhibited fluctuating trends, while soil organic matter showed progressive accumulation, demonstrating that Caragana korshinskii plantations effectively improved soil fertility. Community stability reaches its maximum (4.98) at 25 years. In summary, the Caragana korshinskii plantation are in an early stage of ecological secondary succession, with plant communities developing from simple to complex structures and gradually approaching, though not yet achieving a stable state. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1489 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sward Diversity Modulates Soil Carbon Dynamics After Ploughing Temporary Grassland

by Hendrik P. J. Smit, Hanna Anders, Christof Kluß, Friedhelm Taube, Ralf Loges and Arne Poyda

Agriculture 2025, 15(8), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15080888 - 19 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1301

Abstract

Grasslands are crucial for sequestering carbon underground, but disturbances like ploughing can lead to significant soil organic carbon (SOC) loss as CO₂, a potent greenhouse gas. Thus, managed grasslands should be maintained to minimize GHG emissions. A field study was carried out to investigate how varying sward diversity influences soil respiration following the ploughing of temporary grassland. This study investigated the extent of CO₂ emissions from different species mixtures immediately after ploughing, as well as C losses when straw was added to plots, over a 142-day period. The species mixture treatments consisted of a binary mixture (BM), a tertiary mixture (TM), and a complex mixture (CM), which were compared to two bare plot treatments, one of which was also ploughed. The highest CO₂ flux occurred immediately after ploughing and was observed in the BM treatment (1.99 kg CO₂-C ha⁻¹ min⁻¹). Accumulated CO₂ emissions ranged from 0.4 to 14.8 t CO₂ ha⁻¹. The ploughing effect on CO₂ emissions was evident for bare soils, as ploughing increased soil aeration, which enhanced microbial activity and accelerated the decomposition rate of soil organic matter. However, different mixtures did not affect the C turnover rate. Adding straw to treatments resulted in 43% higher CO₂ emissions compared to bare plots. The BM treatment likely induced a higher priming effect, suggesting that the incorporated straw, under different sward residues, influenced CO₂ emissions more than the mechanical disturbance caused by ploughing. Findings suggest that using complex species mixtures can be recommended as a strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions from incorporated biomass and minimize the priming effect of native soil carbon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4808 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Combined Pollution of High-Density Polyethylene and Cadmium on Carbon and Nitrogen Storage and Forms in Coastal Wetland Soil

by Ziying Nie, Shiyan Xu, Xuejing Zang, Huihua Lyu, Zhiquan Wang, Shengbing He, Daolin Du and Jian Li

Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050565 - 6 Mar 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of HDPE and Cd on forms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) by measuring the changes in enzymatic activities and physicochemical properties of Spartina alterniflora soil samples from coastal regions of China. Over three incubation periods (14, 28, and 56 days), a soil incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of HDPE (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g per 100 g of soil) and Cd (0, 2, 4, and 8 mg kg⁻¹) on soil physicochemical properties. The results demonstrated that the sole presence of HDPE had a notable impact on enhancing the C-related physicochemical properties of the soil, particularly by elevating the concentration of Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The sole addition of Cd significantly suppressed enzymic activities in the soil, leading to a considerable reduction in the concentration of NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N. Under identical Cd treatment conditions, the introduction of 1 g HDPE led to an increase in the concentration of TOC, and the inhibitory effect of Cd on enzymic activities was decreased; thus, an elevated consumption of soluble organic carbon (DOC) was identified. However, upon adding 2 g of HDPE, while the TOC concentration continued to rise, the stimulatory effect on enzymic activities diminished. In conclusion, the addition of HDPE inhibits, to a certain extent, the influence of Cd on the carbon and nitrogen cycling in soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

37 pages, 3422 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Advances in Understanding Carbon Storage and Stabilization in Temperate Agricultural Soils

by Alvyra Slepetiene, Olgirda Belova, Kateryna Fastovetska, Lucian Dinca and Gabriel Murariu

Agriculture 2025, 15(23), 2489; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15232489 - 29 Nov 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1560

Abstract

Understanding how carbon is stored and stabilized in temperate agricultural soils is central to addressing one of the defining environmental challenges of our time—climate change. In this review, we bridge quantitative bibliometric insights with a qualitative synthesis of the mechanisms, regional differences, management practices, and models governing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. We systematically analyzed 481 peer-reviewed publications published between 1990 and 2024, retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer to map research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. The bibliometric analysis revealed a marked increase in publications after 2010, coinciding with growing global interest in climate-smart agriculture and carbon sequestration policies. Comparative synthesis across temperate sub-regions—such as the humid temperate plains of Europe, the semi-arid temperate zones, and the temperate black soil region of Northeast China—reveals that the effectiveness of common practices varies with soil mineralogy, texture, moisture regimes, and historical land-use. Reduced tillage (average SOC gain of 0.25 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), cover cropping (0.32 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and organic amendments such as compost and biochar (up to 1.1 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) consistently enhance SOC accumulation, but with region-specific outcomes driven by these contextual factors. Recognizing such heterogeneity is essential for developing regionally actionable management recommendations. Recent advances in machine learning, remote sensing, and process-based modeling are enabling more accurate and scalable monitoring of SOC stocks, yet challenges remain in integrating micro-scale stabilization processes with regional and global assessments. To address these gaps, this review highlights a multi-method integration pathway—combining field measurements, mechanistic modeling, data-driven approaches, and policy instruments that incentivize adoption of evidence-based practices. By combining quantitative bibliometric analysis with regionally informed mechanistic synthesis, this review provides a holistic understanding of how knowledge about SOC in temperate agroecosystems has evolved and where future opportunities lie. The findings underscore that temperate agricultural soils, when supported by appropriate scientific practices and enabling policy frameworks, represent one of the most accessible natural climate solutions for advancing climate-resilient and sustainable food systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Research on Soil Carbon Dynamics at Different Scales on Agriculture

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI