Effects of Different Tillage Systems on Soil Carbon Sequestration
A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovative Cropping Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 20
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Tillage influences the process of soil carbon sequestration by altering the soil's physical, chemical, and biological environment. Research established a clear consensus: long-term conventional tillage, such as plowing, disrupts soil aggregates and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter, leading to a loss of soil carbon stocks. In contrast, conservation tillage practices (e.g., no-till, reduced tillage, especially when combined with straw mulching) effectively reduce soil disturbance, enhance the physical protection of carbon within aggregates, and thereby increase soil organic carbon storage, with particularly notable effects in the topsoil. Studies also note that its efficacy is influenced by climate, soil type, crop root activities, and management specifics, and its impact on deep soil carbon pools requires further assessment.
Against this backdrop, organizing a Special Issue on “Effects of Different Tillage Systems on Soil Carbon Sequestration” is both timely and highly relevant. It directly addresses the urgent need for agricultural carbon-sequestration technologies in support of global “carbon neutrality” goals. By compiling the latest research findings from different ecological regions worldwide, it can help integrate knowledge, clarify controversies, and foster a more systematic scientific understanding. It also provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange (integrating soil science, agronomy, ecology, and modeling), which can drive innovation in research methodologies. More importantly, this Special Issue bridges research and practice, providing key scientific evidence to inform and optimize regional conservation tillage policies and methodologies for agricultural carbon sinks, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural development and climate change mitigation.
Dr. Shuangguo Zhu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- soil organic carbon
- conservation tillage
- carbon sequestration
- straw mulching
- no-till
- soil aggregates
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