Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conservation Agriculture and Soil Carbon Sequestration

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Conservation Agriculture

Abstract

Changes to agricultural practices in response to climate change and widespread soil degradation are being investigated to improve food security, enhance environmental conservation, and achieve sustainability. Since soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration is a strong determinant of soil physicochemical and biological activities, carbon (C) sequestration in agricultural soils requires changes to management practices. Conservation agriculture (CA)—based on minimum soil disturbance, adequate surface cover, and complex crop rotations—has been proposed as an alternative system to conventional agriculture. This chapter reviews potential impacts of CA mainly on C sequestration, collates information on the influence of tillage, integrated nutrient management (INM), fertilizers, residue management and cover crops on SOC stocks, and deliberates on the mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, economics, etc. by CA from existing case studies. Whether conversion to a CA system can increase C sequestration is not yet clear. More research is needed, particularly long-term research, to delineate ecological conditions suitable for adaptation in a CA system. Harshness of arid and semiarid climate exacerbates the risk of soil degradation by depleting SOC stock and increasing risks of erosion and salinization. Widespread adoption of CA can reduce the cost of farm operations including fuel consumption, while conserving soil water, improving soil functions, controlling erosion, and sustaining productivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

AICRPDA:

All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture

BGA:

Blue–Green Algae

BMPs:

Best management practices

C:

Carbon

CA:

Conservation agriculture

CDM:

Clean development mechanisms

CER:

Certified emission reduction

CIMMYT:

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

CR:

Crop residue

CT:

Conventional tillage

FYM:

Farm yard manure

GHGs:

Greenhouse gases

GWP:

Global warming potential

IGP:

Indo-Gangetic Plains

INM:

Integrated nutrient management

IPNS:

Integrated plant nutrient system

K:

Potassium

N:

Nitrogen

NT:

No-till

P:

Phosphorus

PDFSR:

Project Directorate of Farming Systems Research

RDF:

Recommended dose of fertilizer

RDN:

Recommended dose of nitrogen

RMPs:

Recommended management practices

S:

Sulfur

SOC:

Soil organic carbon

SOM:

Soil organic matter

SSNM:

Site-specific nutrient management

UNFCC:

United Nations Framework Convention on climate change

VAM:

Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhyza

Zn:

Zinc

References

  • Aggarwal RK, Kumar P, Power JF (1997) Use of crop residue and manure to conserve water and enhance nutrient availability and pearl millet yields in an arid tropical region. Soil Tillage Res 41:43–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali M, Ganeshamurthy AN, Srinivasarao Ch (2002) Role of pulses in soil health and sustainable crop production. Indian J Pulse Res 15(2):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez R, Diaz RA, Barberob N, Santanatogliaa OJ, Blotta L (1995) Soil organic carbon, microbial biomass and CO2-C production from three tillage systems. Soil Tillage Res 33:17–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez R. (2005) A review of nitrogen fertilizer, conservation tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage. Soil Use Manage 21:38–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Alves BJR, Zotarelli L, Boddey RM, Urquiaga S (2002) Soybean benefit to a subsequent wheat cropping system under zero tillage. In Nuclear techniques in integrated plant nutrient, water and soil management. IAEA, Vienna, pp 87–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Angers DA, Recous S, Aita C (1997) Fate of carbon, nitrogen in water-stable aggregates during decomposition of 13 C 15 N-labelled wheat straw in situ. Eur J Soil Sci 48:295–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Aulakh MS, Garg AK, Kumar S (2013) Impact of integrated nutrient, crop residue and tillage management on soil aggregates and organic matter fractions in semiarid subtropical soil under soybean-wheat rotation. Am J Plant Sci 4:2148–2164

    Google Scholar 

  • Babu Y, Li C, Frolking S, Naya D, Adhya T (2006) Field validation of DNDC model for ethane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice-based production systems of India. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 74:157–174

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baker JM, Ochsner TE, Venterea RT, Griffis TJ (2007) Tillage and soil carbon sequestration-what do we really know? Agric Ecosyst Environ 118:1–5

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batjes NH (1999) Management option for reducing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere by increasing carbon sequestration in the soil. Dutch national research programme on global air pollution, climate change & technical paper 30. International soil reference information centre, Wageningen. Report 410-200-031

    Google Scholar 

  • Benbi D, Senapati N (2010) Soil aggregation and carbon and nitrogen stabilization in relation to residue and manure application in rice-wheat systems in northwest India. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 87(2):233–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhatia A, Pathak H, Aggarwal PK, Jain N (2010) Trade-off between productivity enhancement and global warming potential of rice and wheat in India. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 86:413–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharyya R, Chandra S, Singh RD, Kundu S, Srivastva AK, Gupta HS (2007) Long-term farmyard manure application effects on properties of a silty clay loam soil under irrigated wheat-soybean rotation. Soil Tillage Res 94:386–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharyya T, Pal DK, Chandran P, Ray SK, Mandal C, Telpande B (2008) Soil carbon storage as a tool to prioritize areas for carbon sequestration. Curr Sci India 95(4):482–494

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco-Canqui CH, Lal R (2007) Impact of long-term wheat straw management on soil hydraulic properties under no-tillage. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:1166–1173

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco-Canqui CH, Lal R (2008) No-tillage and soil profile carbon sequestration: an on farm assessment. Soil Sci Soc Am J 72:693–701

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borie F, Rubio R, Rouanet JL, Morales A, Borie G, Rojas C (2006) Effects of tillage systems on soil characteristics, glomalin and mycorrhizalpropagules in a Chilean Ultisol. Soil Tillage Res 88:253–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowers CG (1989) Tillage draft, energy measurements for twelve south eastern soil series. Trans ASAE 32(1):492–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford JM, Peterson GA (2000) Conservation tillage. In: Sumner ME (ed) Handbook of soil science. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 247–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunel N, Seguel O, Acevedo E (2013) Conservation tillage and water availability for wheat in the dryland of central Chile. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 13(3):622–637

    Google Scholar 

  • Calegari A, Alexander I (1998) The effects of tillage and cover crops on some chemical properties of an Oxisol and summer crops yields in south western Parana, Brazil. Adv Geo Ecol 31:1239–1246

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell CA, Bowren KE, Schnitzer M, Zentner RP, Townley SL (1992) Effect of crop rotations and fertilization on soil biochemical properties in a thick Black Chernozem. Can J Soil Sci 71:377–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell CA, Janzen HH, Juma NG (1997) Case studies of soil quality in the Canadian prairies: long-term field experiments. In: Gregorich EG, Carte MR (eds) Soil quality for crop production and ecosystems health. The Netherlands Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 351–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr PM, Horsley RD, Poland WW (2003) Tillage and seedling rate effects on wheat cultivars: i grain production. Crop Sci 43:202–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro F, Henklain JC, Vieira MJ, Casao R Jr (1991) Tillage methods, soil physical conditions. Soil Sci Soc Am J 59:1436–1443

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan KY, Heenam DP, Oates A (2002) Soil carbon fractions, relationship to soil quality under different tillage, stubble management. Soil Tillage Res 63:133–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheshire MV (1979) Nature and origin of carbohydrates in soil. Academic, London, p 216

    Google Scholar 

  • Chivenge PP, Murwira HK, Giller KE, Mapfumo P, Six J (2007) Long-term impact of reduced tillage, residue management on soil carbon stabilization: implications for conservation agriculture on contrasting soil. Soil Tillage Res 94:328–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhury SG, Srivastava S, Singh R, Chaudhari SK, Sharma DK, Singh SK, Sarkar D (2014) Tillage, residue management effects on soil aggregation, organic carbon dynamics, yield attribute in rice-wheat cropping system under reclaimed sodic soil. Soil Tillage Res 136:76–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Christopher SF, Lal R, Mishra U (2009) Regional study of no-till effects on carbon sequestration in the mid-western United States. Soil Sci Soc Am J 73:207–216

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coventry DR, Poswal RS, Yadav A, Gupta RK, Gill SC, Chhokar RS, Kumar V, Sharma RK, Kumar A, Mehta A, Kleemann SGL, Cummins JA (2011) Effect of tillage and nutrient management on wheat productivity and quality in Haryana, India. Field Crop Res 23:234–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Curaqueo G, Barea JM, Acevedo E, Rubio R, Cornejo P, Borie F (2011) Effects of different tillage system on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules and physical properties in a Mediterranean agroecosystem in central Chile. Soil Tillage Res 113:11–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Das B, Chakraborty D, Singh VK, Aggarwal P, Singh R, Dwivedi BS, Mishra RP (2014) Effect of integrated nutrient management practice on soil aggregate properties, its stability, aggregate-associated carbon content in an intensive rice-wheat system. Soil Tillage Res 136:9–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Dendooven L, Gutierrez-Oliva VF, Patino-Zuniga L, Ramirez-Villanueva DA, Verhulst N, Luna-Guido M, Marsch R, Montes-Molina J, GutiĂ©rrez-Miceli FA, Vásquez-Murrieta S, Govaerts B (2012) Greenhouse gas emission under conservation agriculture compared to traditional cultivation of maize in the central highlands of Mexico. Sci Total Environ 431:237–244

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derpsch R, Friedrich T, Kassam A, Hongwen Li (2010) Current status of adoption of no-till farming in the world and some of its main benefits. Int J Agric Biol Eng 3(1):1–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz-zorita M, Gustavo AD, Grove JH (2002) A review of no-till system, soil management for sustainable crop production in the sub-humid, semi-arid Pampas of Argentina. Soil Tillage Res 65:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick WA, Durkalski JT (1997) No-tillage production agriculture and carbon sequestration in a TypicFragiudalf soil of north eastern Ohio: In: Lal R, Kimble J, Follett R (eds) Management of carbon sequestration in soil: advances in soil science. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 59–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Dinkins P, Jones C, McVay K (2008) Nutrient availability can differ somewhat among no-till, minimum till and till systems. This guide explains how nutrients should be managed in no-till and minimum till systems to optimize crop yield and quality. http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0182.pdf

  • Dube E, Chiduza C, Muchaonyerwa P (2012) Conservation agriculture effects on soil organic matter on a Haplic Cambisol after four years of maize–oat and maize-grazing vetch rotations in South Africa. Soil Tillage Res 123:21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Duxbury JM, Smith MS, Doran JW (1989) Soil organic matter as a source, sink of plant nutrients. In: Coleman JM et al (eds) Dynamic of soil organic matter in tropical ecosystems. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, pp 33–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder JW, Lal R (2008) Tillage effects on physical properties of agricultural organic soils of north central Ohio. Soil Tillage Res 98:208–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Erenstein O (2002) Crop residue mulching in tropical and semi-tropical countries: an evaluation of residue availability and other technological implications. Soil Tillage Res 67:115–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Erenstein O, Laxmi V (2008) Zero tillage impacts in India’s rice-wheat systems: a review. Soil Tillage Res 100:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Eswaran H, Lal R, Reich PF (2001) Land degradation: an overview. In: Bridges EM et al (eds) Response to land degradation. Proceedings 2nd international conference on land degradation and desertification, KhonKaen, Thailand. Oxford, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Falloon P, Jones CD, Cerri CE, Al-Adamat RP, Bhattacharyya T, Easter M, Paustian K, Killian K, Coleman K, Milne E (2007) Climate change and its impact on soil and vegetation carbon storage in Kenya, Jordan, India and Brazil. Agric Ecosys Environ 122:114–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2013a) Basic principles of conservation agriculture. www.fao.org/ag/ca/1a.html. Accessed Dec 2013

  • FAO (2013b) FAO statistical yearbook 2013. World Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2014a). Soil carbon sequestration for improved management. World soil report 96. Based on the work of Michel Robert Institut national de recherchĂ© agronomique Paris, France. ftp://ftp.fao.org/agl/agll/docs/wsrr96e.pdf. Accessed Dec 2013

  • FAO (2014b) The importance of soil organic matter key to drought-resistant soil, sustained food, production by Alexandra Bot and Jose Benites.FAO soil bulletin 80 (2001). www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0100e/a0100e0a.htm#TopOfPage. Accessed Dec 2013

  • Farage PK, Ardo J, Olsson L, Rienzi EA, Ball AS, Pretty JN (2007) The potential for soil carbon sequestration in three tropical dryland farming systems of Africa, Latin America: a modelling approach. Soil Tillage Res 94:457–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng Y, Motta AC, Reeves DW, Burmester CH, Santena EV, Osbornec JA (2003) Soil microbial communities under conventional-till and no-till continuous cotton systems. Soil Bio Biochem 35:1693–1703

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Follett RF (1993) Global climatic change U.S. agriculture carbon dioxide. J Prod Agric 6:181–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Follett RF, Varvel GE, Kimble J, Vogel KP (2009) No-till corn after brome grass: effect on soil C and soil aggregates. Agron J 101:261–268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foresight (2009) Global food and farming future. http://www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/Activeprojects/foodandfarmingfuture/foodandfarmingprojectHome.asp

  • Franzluebbers AJ (2002) Soil organic matter stratification ratio as an indicator of soil quality. Soil Tillage Res 66:95–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzluebbers AJ (2008) Soil organic carbon sequestration with conservation agriculture in the south eastern USA: potential and limitations. http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/Carbon%20Offset%20Consultation/carbonmeeting/3fullpapersbyconsultationspeakers/paperfranzluebbers.pdf

  • Franzluebbers AJ (2010a) Achieving soil organic carbon sequestration with conservation agricultural systems in the south eastern United States. Soil Sci Soc Am J 74:347–357

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franzluebbers AJ (2010b) Depth distribution of soil organic carbon as a signature of soil quality.19th world congress of soil science, soil solutions for a changing world 1–6 Aug 2010. Brisbane (Published on DVD)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzluebbers AJ, Haney RL, Hons FM, Zuberer DA (1999) Assessing biological soil quality with chloroform fumigation-incubation: why subtract a control? Can J Soil Sci 79:521–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich T, Kassam A (2012) No-till farming and the environment: do no-till systems require more chemicals? Outlooks Pest Manag 153–157. doi:10.1564/23aug02

    Google Scholar 

  • Gale WJ, Cambardella CA, Bailey TB (2000) Root-derived carbon the formation stabilization of aggregates. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:201–207

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gattinger A, Jawtusch J, Muller A, Mader P (2011) No-till agriculture- a climate smart farming. In: Piepenbrink N, Schroeder A (eds) Climate change and agriculture, Report no. 2. MISEREOR, Anchen pp 1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh PK, Das A, Saha R, Kharkrang E, Tripati AK, Munda GC, Nagchan SV (2010) Conservation agriculture towards achieving food security in North East India. Curr Sci India 99(7):915–921

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford RM, Roderick ML (2003) Soil carbon stocks, bulk density: spatial or cumulative mass coordinates as a basis of expression? Glob Change Biol 9:1507–1514

    Google Scholar 

  • Giller KE, Witter E, Corbeels M, Tittonell P (2009) Conservation agriculture and smallholder farming in Africa: the heretics view. Field Crop Res 114:23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Sayre KD, Decker J (2005) Stable high yield with zero tillage and permanent bed planting? Soil Tillage Res 94:33–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Mezzalama M, Sayre KD, Crossa J, Nicol JM, Deckers J (2006a) Long-term consequences of tillage, residue management, and crop rotation on maize/wheat root rot and nematode populations in subtropical highlands. Appl Soil Ecol 32:305–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Sayre KD, Deckers J (2006b) A minimum data set for soil quality assessment of wheat and maize cropping in the highlands of Mexico. Soil Tillage Res 87:163–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Fuentes M, Mezzalama M, Nicol JM, Deckers J, Etchevers JD, Figueroa SB, Sayre KD (2007) Infiltration soil moisture root rot and nematode populations after 12 years of different tillage, residue and crop rotation managements. Soil Tillage Res 94:209–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Sayre KD, Goudeseune B, De Corte P, Lichter K, Dendooven L, Deckers J (2009a) Conservation agriculture as a sustainable option for the central Mexican highlands. Soil Tillage Res 103:222–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts B, Verhulst N, Navarrete C, Sayre A, Dixon KD, Dendooven JL (2009b) Conservation agriculture and soil carbon sequestration: between myth and farmer reality. Crit Rev Plant Sci 28:97–122

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grace PR, Jain MC, Harrington LW (2003) Environmental concerns in rice-wheat system. In: Proceedings of the international workshop on developing action programme for farm level impact in rice-wheat system of the Indo-Gangetic plains held during 25–27 Sept 2000, New Delhi, India. Rice–wheat consortium paper series 14, pp 99–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Grace PR, Antle J, Aggarwal PK, Ogle S, Paustian K, Basso B (2012) Soil carbon sequestration and associated economic cost for farming systems of the Indo-Gangetic plain: a meta-analysis. Agric Ecosyst Environ 146:137–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant CA, Lafond GPL (1994) The effects of tillage systems and crop rotations on soil chemical properties of a black Chernozemic soil. Can J Soil Sci 74(3):301–306

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guertal EA, Eckert DJ, Traina SJ, Logan TJ (1991) Differential phosphorus retention in soil profiles under no-till crop production. Soil Sci Soc Am J 55:410–413

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guillou CL, Angers DA, Maron PA, Leterme P, Aubry SM (2012) Linking microbial community to soil water-stable aggregation during crop residue decomposition. Soil Biol Biochem 50:126–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK. Sahai S (2006) Residue open burning in rice-wheat cropping system in India: an agenda for conservation of environment & agricultural resources. Proceedings of the symposium, CASA-ICAR, Pusa, New Delhi, 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RK, Naresh RK, Hobbs PR, Ladha JK (2002) Adopting conservation agriculture in the rice-wheat system of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: new opportunities for saving water. In: Bouman, BAM et al (eds) Water wise rice production: Proceedings of the international workshop on water wise rice production, April 8–11, 2002, Los Banos, Philippines. International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, pp 207–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RK, Singh Y, Singh V, Singh B (2006) Integrated nutrient management for improving soil, crop productivity in rice-wheat crop rotation in north western India. Indian Fmg 56(4):10–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK, Sahai S, Singh N, Dixit CK, Singh DP, Sharma C, Tiwari MK, Gupta RK, Garg SC (2004) Residue burning in rice-wheat cropping system: causes, implications. Curr Sci India 87(12):1713–1717

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RK, Malik RK, Jat ML, Saharawat YS (2009) Conservation agriculture-current status, prospects in South Asia. In: 4th world congress on conservation agriculture, New Delhi, 4–7 Feb, p 82

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RK, Gopal R, Jat ML, Jat RK, Sidhu HS, Minhas PS, Malik RK (2010) Wheat productivity in Indo-Gangetic plains of India during 2010: terminal heat effects, mitigation strategies. PACA Newsletter, pp 1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Haider K (1999) Von der totenorgnischensubtanzzum humus. PflanzenernahrBodenk 162:363–371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Halvorson AD, Gary AP, Curtis AR (2002) Tillage system and crop rotation effects on dryland crop yields and soil carbon in the Central Great Plains. Agron J 94:1429–1436

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazarika S, Parkinson R, Bol R, Dixon L, Russell P, Donovan S, Allen D (2009) Effect of tillage system and straw management on organic matter dynamics. Agron Sustain Dev 29:525–533

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Himes FL (1997) Nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus and the sequestering of carbon. In: Lal R, Kimble JM, Follett RF, Stewart BA (eds) Soil processes and the carbon cycle: advances in soil science. CRC: Boca Raton pp 315–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs PR (2007) Conservation agriculture: what is it and why is it important for future sustainable food production? J Agr Sci Cambridge 145:127–137

    Google Scholar 

  • IARI (2012) Crop residues management with conservation agriculture: potential, constraints, policy needs. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, p 32

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2007) Climate change; fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2013) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. In: Stocker TF, Qin D, Plattner GK, Tignor M, Allen SK, Boschung J, Nauels A, Xia Y, Bex V, Midgley PM (eds) Contribution of working group I to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 1535

    Google Scholar 

  • Jastrow JD, Miller RM (1997) Soil aggregate stabilization, carbon sequestration: feedbacks through organomineral associations. In: Lal R et al (eds) Soil processes, the carbon cycle, advances in soil science. CRC, Boca Raton, p 207

    Google Scholar 

  • Jat ML, Singh RG, Sahrawat YS, Gathala MK, Kumar V, Sidhu HS, Gupta RK (2010) Innovation through conservation agriculture: progress, prospects of participatory approach in the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia. In: Joshi PK et al (eds) Conservation agriculture—innovation for improving efficiency, equity, environment. National Academy of Agriculture Science (NASS), Pusa

    Google Scholar 

  • Jat ML, Saharawat YS, Gupta R (2011) Conservation agriculture in cereal systems of south Asia: nutrient management perspectives. Karnataka J Agric Sci 24(1):100–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Jat RA, Wani SP, Sahrawat KL (2012) Conservation agriculture in the semi-arid tropics: prospects and problems. In: Donald Sparks (ed) Advances in agronomy, vol 117. Academic, New York, pp 191–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiao Y, Whalen JK, Hendershot WH (2006) No-tillage and manure applications increase aggregation and improve nutrient retention in a sandy-loam soil. Geoderma 134:24–33

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson JMF, Alimaras RR, Reicosky DC (2006) Estimating source of carbon from crop residues, roots, rhizodiposits using the national grain-yields database. Agron J 98:622–636

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jonathan S, Ryan F, Jeffrey B (2010) Soil carbon sequestration potential: a review for Australian agriculture. A report prepared for department of climate change, energy efficiency. CSIRO, p 81

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanchikerimath M, Singh D (2001) Soil organic matter, biological properties after 26 years of maize–wheat–cowpea cropping as affected by manure, fertilization in a Cambisol in semiarid region of India. Agric Ecosyst Environ 86:155

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karlen DL, Wollenhaupt NC, Erbach DC, Berry EC, Swan JB, Eash NS, Jordahl JL (1994) Crop residue effects on soil quality following 10 years of no-till corn. Soil Tillage Res 31:149–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassam A, Friedrich T (2012) An ecologically sustainable approach to agricultural production intensification: global perspectives and developments. Field actions science reports, special issue 6, http://factsreports.revues.org/138

  • Katterer T, Bolinder MA, Ren O, Kirchmann H, Menichetti L (2011) Roots contribute more to refractory soil organic matter than above ground crop residue, as revealed by a long-term field experiment. Agric Ecosyst Environ 141:184–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Katyal JC, Rattan RK (2003) Integrated plant nutrition systems to meet the challenges of nutrient mining threatening sustainable agriculture. FAI Ann Sem Papers 511-1/1/-8

    Google Scholar 

  • Kell DB (2011) Breeding crop plants with deep roots: their roll in sustainable C, nutrient, water sequestration. Ann Bot London. doi:10.1093/aob/mcr175. www.aob.oxfordjournals.org

  • Kendall HW, Pimentel D (1994) Constraints on the expansion of the global food supply. Ambio 23:198–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Kern JS, Johnson MG (1993) Conservation tillage impacts on national and atmospheric C levels. Soil Sci Soc Am J 57:200–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Kukal SS, Rasool R, Benbi DK (2009) Soil organic carbon sequestration in relation to organic, inorganic fertilization in rice–wheat, maize–wheat systems. Soil Tillage Res 102:87–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar K, Ghosh KM (2002) Management practices of antecedent leguminous and non-leguminous crop residues in relation to winter wheat yields, nitrogen uptake, soil nitrogen mineralization and simple nitrogen balance. Eur J Agron 16:295–308

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Kadono A, Lal R, Dick W (2012) Long-term no-till impacts on organic carbon and properties of two contrasting soils and corn yields in Ohio. Soil Sci Soc Am J 76:1798–1809

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kundu S, Srinivasarao Ch, Mallick RB, Satyanarayana T, Naik RP, Johnston A, Venkateswarlu B (2013) Conservation agriculture in maize (Zea mays L. ) horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum L. ) system in rainfed Alfisols for C sequestration, climate change mitigation. J Agrometeorol 15:144–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushwaha CP, Tripathi SK, Singh KP (2000) Variations in soil microbial biomass and N availability due to residue and tillage management in a dryland rice agroecosystem. Soil Tillage Res 56:153–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuzyakov Y, Domanski G (2000) C input by plants into the soil. Rev J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 163:421–431

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lakaria BL, Sing M, Reddy KS, Biswas AK, Jha P, Caudhary AB (2012) Carbon addition, storage under integrated nutrient management in soybean-wheat cropping sequence in a Vertisol in central India. Natl Acad Sci Lett 35:131–137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (1981) Soil erosion problem on Alfisol in Western Nigeria, VI. Effect of erosion on experimental plots. Geoderma 25:215–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (ed) (1994) Soil erosion research methods, Soil and water conservation society, 2nd edn. CRC, Ankeny, p 1A

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (1997) Residue management, conservation tillage and soil restoration for mitigating greenhouse effect by CO2 enrichment. Soil Tillage Res 43:81–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2004) Soil Carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security. Science 34:1623–1627

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2004a) Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. Geoderma 123:1–22

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2004b) Carbon emission from farm operations. Environ Int 30:981–90

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2006) Enhancing crop yields in the developing countries through restoration of the soil organic carbon pool in agricultural soil. Land Degrad Dev 17:197–209. doi:10.1002/ldr.696

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2008) Carbon sequestration. Phil Trans R Soc. doi:10.1098/rstb.2007.2185

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal R, Kimble JM (1997) Conservation tillage for carbon sequestration. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 49:243–253

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R, Kimble J, Follett R (1997) Land use and soil carbon pools in terrestrial ecosystems: In: Lal R, Kimble J, Follett R (eds) Management of carbon sequestration in soil: advances in soil science. CRC, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam SK, Chen D, Mosier AR, Roush R (2013) The potential for carbon sequestration in Australian agricultural soils is technically and economically limited. Sci Rep 3:2179. doi:10.1038/srep02179

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavelle P, Blanchart E, Martin A, Martin S, Spain A, Toutain F, Barois I, Schaefer R (1993) A hierarchical model for decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems: application to soils of the humid tropics. Biotropica 25:130–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Quere C, Peters GP, Andres RJ, Andrew RM, Boden T, Ciais P, Friedlingstein P, Houghton RA, Marland G, Moriarty R, Sitch S, Tans P, Arneth A, Arvanitis A, Bakker DCE, Bopp L, Canade JG, Chini LP, Doney SC, Harper A, Harris I, House JI, Jain AK, Jones SD, Kato E, Keeling RF, Goldewijk KK, Kortzinger A, Koven C, Lefevre N, Omar A, Ono T, Park GH, Pfeil B, Poulter B, Raupach MR, Regnier P, Rödenbeck C, Saito S, Schwinger J, Segschneider J, Stocker BD, Tilbrook B, Heuven VS, Viovy N, Wanninkhof R, Wiltshire A, Zaehle S, Yue C (2013) Global carbon budget. Earth Syst Sci Data Discuss 6(2):689–760. doi:10.5194/essdd-6-689-2013

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichter K, Govaerts B, Six J, Sayre KD, Deckers J, Dendooven L (2008) Aggregation and C and N contents of soil organic matter fractions in the permanent raised-bed planting system in the Highlands of Central Mexico. Plant Soil 305:237–252

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Limon-Ortega OA, Govaerts B, Deckers J, Sayre KD (2006) Soil aggregate microbial biomass in permanent bed wheat-maize planting system after 12 years. Field Crop Res 97(2–3):302–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu D, Wang Z, Zhang B, Song K, Li X, Li J, Li F, Duan H (2006) Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and analysis of related factors in croplands of the black soil region, Northeast China. Agric. Ecosyst Environ 113:73–81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandal UK, Singh G, Victor US, Sharma KL (2003) Green manuring: its effect on soil properties and crop growth under rice–wheat cropping system. Eur J Agron 19:225–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandiringana OT, Mnkeni PNS, Mkile Z, Van AW, Van RE, Verplancke H (2005) Mineralogy, fertility status of selected soils of the Eastern Cape Province. S Afr Commun Soil Sci Plan Anal 36:2431–2446

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mann L K (1986) Changes in soil carbon storage after cultivation. Soil Sci 142:279–288

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milne E, Heimsath A (2008) Soil organic carbon. In: Cutler J, Level C (eds) Encyclopaedia of earth: environmental information coalition, national council for science, the environment. Washington D. C. www.eoearth.org/article/Soil_organic_carbon

  • Mina BL, Saha S, Kumar N, Srivastva AK, Gupta HS (2008) Changes in soil nutrient content and enzymatic activity under conventional and zero-tillage practices in an Indian sandy clay loam soil. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 82:273–281

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra U, Ussiri DAN, Lal R (2010) Tillage effects on soil organic carbon storage, dynamics in Corn Belt of Ohio USA. Soil Tillage Res 107:88–96

    Google Scholar 

  • MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Resources) (2009) Govt. of India, New Delhi. www.mnre.gov.in/biomassrsources

  • Molina JAE, Clapp CE, Linden DR, Allmaras RR, Layse MF, Dowdy RH, Cheng HH (2001) Modelling incorporation of corn (Zea mays L.) C from roots, rhizodiposition into soil organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 33:83–92

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mrabet R, Bouzza A, El-Brahli A, Bouksirat H (1999) Long-term effects of tillage and crop rotation on wheat performances and soil quality in semiarid Morocco. In: Proceedings of the GCTE focus 3 conference 1999, food and forestry: global change and global challenges, University of Reading, UK, 20–23 Sept 1999

    Google Scholar 

  • Mrabet R (2002) Stratification of soil aggregation, organic matter under conservation tillage systems in Africa. Soil Tillage Res 66:119–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Murungu FS, Chiduza C, Muchaonyerwa P, Mnkeni PNS (2010a) Mulch effects on soil moisture, nitrogen, weed growth, irrigated maize productivity in a warm-temperate climate of South Africa. Soil Tillage Res 112(1):58–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Musunda B (2010) Evaluation of cover crop species for biomass production, weed suppression, maize yields under irrigation in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. MSc thesis, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

    Google Scholar 

  • Naitam R, Bhattacharyya T (2004) Quasi-equilibrium of organic carbon in shrink-swell soils of the sub-humid tropics in India under forest, horticulture, and agricultural systems. Aust J Soil Res 42:181–188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nambiar KKM (1995) Agricultural sustainability: economics, environmental, statistical considerations. In: Barnett V et al (eds) Major cropping systems of India, Wiley, UK, pp 130–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Nambiar KKM (1994) Soil fertility, crop productivity under long-term fertilizer use in India. ICAR, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Naresh RK, Singh SP, Chauhan P (2012) Influence of conservation agriculture, permanent raised bed planting and residue management on soil quality and productivity in maize-wheat system in western Uttar Pradesh. Int J Life Sci Pharm Rev 1(4):27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • NASS (2012) Management of crop residues in the context of conservation agriculture. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi; Policy paper no. 58, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayak AK, Gangwar B, Shukla AK, Mazumdar SP, Kumar A, Raja R, Kumar A, Kumar V, Rai PK, Nayak UM (2012) Long-term effect of different integrated nutrient management on soil organic carbon, its fractions, sustainability of rice-wheat system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Field Crop Res 127:129–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyamadzawo G, Nyamangara J, Nyamugafata P, Muzulu A (2009) Soil microbial biomass and mineralization of aggregate protected carbon in fallow-maize system under conventional and no-tillage in central Zimbabawe. Soil Tillage Res 102:151–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Oades J M (1984) Soil organic matter, structural stability: mechanisms, implications for management. Plant Soil 76:319–337

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pal DK, Bhattacharyya T, Srivastava P, Chandran P, Ray SK (2009) Soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plains: their historical perspective and management. Curr Sci India 96:1193–1202

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parton WJ, Schimel DS, Cole CV (1987) Analysis of factors controlling soil organic matter levels in great-plains grasslands. Soil Sci Soc Am J 51:1173–1179

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak H, Bhatia A, Jain N, Aggarwal PK (2010) Greenhouse gas emission and mitigation in Indian agriculture—a review. In: Singh B (ed) ING bulletins on regional assessment of reactive nitrogen, vol 19. SCON-ING, New Delhi, p 34

    Google Scholar 

  • Patle GT, Bandyopadhyay KK, Singh DK (2013) Impact of conservation agriculture and resource conservation technologies on carbon sequestration-a review. Indian J Agr Sci 83(1):3–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paustian K, Collins HP, Paul EA (1997) Management controls on soil C. In: Paul EA (ed) Soil organic matter in temperate ecosystems: long-term experiments in North America. CRC, Boca Raton pp 15–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Paustian K, Six J, Elliott ET, Hunt HW (2000) Management options for reducing CO2 emissions from agricultural soils. Biogeochemistry 48(1):147–163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petchawee S, Chaitep W (1995) Organic matter management in upland systems in Thailand. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra, pp 21–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D Wilson C, McCullum C, Huang R, Dwen P, Flack J, Tran Q, Saltman T, Cliff B (1997) Economic and environmental benefits of biodiversity. BioSci 47(11):747–757

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D, Burgess M (2013) Soil erosion threatens food production. Agriculture 3:443–463. doi:10.3390/agriculture3030443

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R (2008) Integrated plant nutrient supply system (IPNS) for sustainable agriculture. Indian J Fert 4(12):71–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R (2009) Efficient fertilizer use: the key to food security, better environment-review/synthesis. J Trop Agr 47(1–2):1–17

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purakayastha TJ, Smith JL, Huggins DR (2009) Microbial biomass and N cycling under native prairie, conservation reserve and no-tillage in Palouse soils. Geoderma 152(3–4):283–289

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qin RJ, Stamp P, Richner W (2004) Impact of tillage on root systems of winter wheat. Agr J 96:1523–1530

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao DLN, Patra AK (2009) Soil microbial diversity and sustainable agriculture. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 57(4):513–530

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy MS, Willey RW (1985) Evaluations of alternate cropping systems for Alfisols of the Indian semi-arid tropics. Exp Agr 21:271–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Robert M (1996b) Le sol: interface dansl’ environnement, ressource pour le dĂ©veloppement. Dunod/Masson, Paris p 240

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenzweig C, Tubiello FN (2007) Adaptation, mitigation strategies in agriculture: an analysis of potential synergies. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Change 12:855–873

    Google Scholar 

  • Sa J (2004) The evolution of a continuous zero-till system. Passo Fundo, Parana

    Google Scholar 

  • Sa JCM, Lal R (2009) Stratification ratio of soil organic matter pools as an indicator of carbon sequestration in a tillage chronosequence on a Brazilian Oxisol. Soil Tillage Res 103:46–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainju UM, Caesar-TonThat TC, Jabro JD (2009) Carbon and nitrogen fractions in dryland soil aggregates affected by long-term tillage and cropping sequence. Soil Sci Soc Am J 73:1488–1495

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanyal SK, Majumadar K (2009) Nutrient dynamic in soil. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 57(4):477–493

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapkota TB, Mazzoncini M, Barberi P, Antichi D, Silvestri N (2012) Fifteen years of no-till increase soil organic matter, microbial biomass and arthropod diversity in cover crop-based arable cropping systems. Agron Sustain Dev 32:853–863

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar AK, Singh RP (2002) Importance of long-term fertilizer use for sustainable agriculture in Jharkhand. Fert. News 47(11):107–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma KL (2011) Conservation agriculture for soil carbon build up, mitigation of climate change. In: Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Srinivas K, Kundu S, Singh A K (eds) Soil carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation, food security. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad (24 Nov to 3 Dec), p 322

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Singh Y, Singh M, Sodhi GPS, Ladha JK, Balasubramanian V (2006) Plant need based real time nitrogen management in rice grown by small farmers in Asia. In: 18th world congress of soil science, Philadelphia 9–15 July 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisti CPJ, Santos HP, Kohhann R, Alves BJR, Urquiaga S (2004) Change in carbon and nitrogen stocks in soil under 13 years of conventional or zero tillage in southern Brazil. Soil Tillage Res 76:39–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Six J, Paustian K, Elliott ET, Combrink C (2000) Soil structure and soil organic matter: I. distribution of aggregate size classes and aggregate-associated carbon. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:681–689

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Six J, Bossuyt H, Degryze S, Denef K (2004) A history of research on the link between (micro) aggregates, soil biota, soil organic matter dynamics—a review. Soil Tillage Res 79:7–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Smaling EMA (1993) The soil nutrient balance: an indicator of sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Int Fertil Soc Proc 340:18

    Google Scholar 

  • Socolow RH, Pacala SW (2006) A plan to keep carbon in check. Sci Am 2006:52–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Soler JM (2012) Soil organic carbon dynamics and carbon sequestration in a semiarid Mediterranean agro-ecosystem: effects of conservation tillage and nitrogen fertilization. Doctoral Thesis, Universitat de Lleida pp 1–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Souvenir (2009) 4th world congress on conservation agriculture. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, India, 4–7 Feb. http://www.fao.org/ag/ca/doc/wwcca-souvenir.pdf

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Prasad JVNS, Vittal KPR, Venkateswarlu B, Sharma KL (2003) Role of optimum nutrition in drought management. Fert News 48(12):105–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Vittal KPR, Chary GR, Gajbhiye PN, Venkateswarlu B (2006) Characterization of available major nutrients in dominant soils of rainfed crop production systems of India. Indian J Dryland Agric Res Dev 21(2):105–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Vittal KPR, Venkateswarlu B, Wani SP, Sahrawat KL, Marimuthu S, Kundu S (2009b) Carbon stocks in different soils under diverse rainfed production systems in tropical India. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 40(15):2338–2356

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Kundu S, Vittal KPR, Patel JJ, Patel MM (2011a) Long-term manuring and fertilizer effects on depletion of soil organic carbon stocks under pearl millet-cluster bean-castor rotation in western India. Land Degrad Dev 25:173–183. doi:10.1002/ldr.1158

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Srinivas K, Kundu S, Singh AK (2011b) Soil Carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation and food security. In: Srinivasaro Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Srinivas K, Kundu S, Singh AK (eds) Soil carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation and food security. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, p 372

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Kundu S, Vittal KPR, Balaguruvaiah G, Shankar V, Babu M, Chary GR, Prasadbabu MBB, Reddy YT (2012a) Soil carbon sequestration, agronomic productivity of an Alfisol for a groundnut based system in a semi-arid environment in South India. Eur J Agron 43:40–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2012.05.001

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Singh AK, Vittal KPR, Kundu S, Gajanan GN, Ramachandrappa BK (2012b) Yield sustainability and carbon sequestration potential of groundnut-fingermillet rotation in Alfisols under semi arid tropical India. Int J Agric Sus 10(3):1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Singh AK, Vittal KPR, Kundu S, Gajanan GN, Ramachandrappa B, Chary GR (2012c) Critical carbon inputs to maintain soil organic carbon stocks under long-term finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn) cropping on Alfisols in semi-arid tropical India. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 175(5):681–688

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Deshpande AN, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Kundu S, Vittal KPR, Mishra PK, Prasad JVNS, Mandal UK, Sharma KL (2012d) Grain yield, carbon sequestration potential of post monsoon sorghum cultivation in vertisols in the semi-arid tropics of central India. Geoderma 175-176:90–97

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Kundu S, Vittal KPR, Sharma SK, Sharma RA, Jain MP, Chary GR (2012e) Sustaining agronomic productivity, quality of a Vertisolic Soil (Vertisol) under soybean-safflower cropping system in semi-arid central India. Can J Soil Sci 92(5):771–785. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss2011-098

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Vittal KPR, Kundu S, Singh SR, Singh SP (2012f) Long-term effects of soil fertility management on C sequestration in a rice-lentil cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Soil Sci Soc Am J 76(1):168–178

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Venkateswarlu B, Lal R, Singh AK, Kundu S (2013a) Sustainable management of soils of dryland ecosystems of India for enhancing agronomic productivity, sequestering carbon. In: Donald LS (ed) Advances in agronomy, vol. 121. Academic, Burlington, pp 253–329, ISBN:978-0-12-407685-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasarao Ch, Lal R, Kundu S, Prasadbabu MBB, Venkateswarlu B, Singh AK (2013b) Soil carbon sequestration in rainfed production systems in the semiarid tropics of India. Sci Total Environ 487:587–603. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. scitotenv.2013.10.006

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson FJ, Cole MA (1999) Cycles of soil: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, micronutrients. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoorvogel JJ, Smaling EMA (1990a) Assessment of soil nutrient depletion in sub-Saharan Africa: 1983–2000. Win and Staring Centre, Wageningen, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoorvogel JJ, Smaling EMA (1990b) Research on soil fertility decline in tropical environments: integration of spatial scales. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 50:151–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Swarup A (1998) Emerging soil fertility management issues for sustainable crop productivity in irrigated systems. In: Swarup A et al (eds) Long-term soil fertility management through integrated plant nutrient supply. Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, pp 54–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Swarup A (2002) Lessons from long term fertilizer experiments in improving fertilizer use efficiency and crop yields. Fert News 47(12):59–73

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu (2011) Himachal to earn carbon credits with more forests: sect. Environmental issues. The Hindu, 20 June 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu (2011). India may seek carbon credit from agriculture: sect. Other state. The Hindu, 9 April 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Tisdall JM, Oades JM (1982) Organic matter water-stable aggregates in soils. J Soil Sci 62:141–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Triplett GB Jr, Dick WA (2008) No-tillage crop production: a revolution in agriculture! Agron J 100:153–165. doi:10.2134/agronj2007.0005c

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2013) World population prospects: the 2012 revision, vol I: Comprehensive tables ST/ESA/SER.A/336. http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/Documentation/pdf/WPP2012_Volume-I_Comprehensive-Tables.pdf

  • Varvel GE, Wilhelm WW (2011) No-tillage increases soil profile carbon, nitrogen under long-term rainfed cropping systems. Soil Tillage Res 114:28–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Velayutham M, Pal DK, Bhattacharyya T (2000) Organic carbon stock in soils of India. In: Lal R et al (eds) Global climate change, tropical ecosystems. Advances in soil science. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 71–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkateswarlu B, Srinivasarao Ch, Ramesh G, Venkateswarlu S, Katyal JC (2007) Effects of long-term legume cover crop incorporation on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, nutrient build-up and grain yield of sorghum/sunflower under rainfed conditions. Soil Use Manage 23:100–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkateswarlu B, Sharma KL, Prasad JVNS (2010) Conservation agriculture - constraints, issues and opportunities in rainfed areas.In: Joshi PK et al (eds) Conservation agriculture- innovations for improving efficiency, equity and environment. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NASS), Pusa, pp 119–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Verhulst N, Govaerts B, Verachtert E, Castellanos-Navarrete A, Mezzalama M, Wall P, Deckers J, Sayre KD (2010) Conservation agriculture, improving soil quality for sustainable production systems? In: Lal R, Stewart BA (eds) Advances in soil science: food security and soil quality. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 137–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining organic carbon in soils: effect of variations in digestion conditions and of inorganic soil constituents. Soil Sci 63:251–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward PR, Flower KC, Cordingley N, Weeks C, Micin SF (2012) Soil water balance with cover crops and conservation agriculture in Mediterranean climate. Field Crop Res 132:33–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Wendt JW, Hauser S (2013) An equivalent soil mass procedure for monitoring soil organic carbon in multiple soil layers. Eur J Soil Sci 64:58–65

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • West TO, Marland GA (2002) Synthesis of carbon sequestration, carbon emissions, and net carbon flux in agriculture: comparing tillage practices in the United States. Agric Ecosys Environ 91:217–232

    Google Scholar 

  • West TO, Post WM (2002) Soil organic carbon sequestration rates by tillage and crop rotaion: a global data analysis. Soil Sci Soc Am J 66:1930–1946

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woomer PL, Martin A, Albrecht A, Reseck DVS, Scharpenseel HW (1994) The importance and management of soil organic matter in the tropics. In: Woomer PL, Swift MJ (eds) The biological management of tropical soil fertility. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav RL, Dwivedi BS, Pandey PS (2000) Rice-wheat cropping system: assessment of sustainability under green manuring and chemical fertilizer inputs. Field Crop Res 65:15–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Drury CF, Wander MMA (2013) Wide view of no-tillage practices and soil organic carbon sequestration. Acta Agric Scand 63(6):523–530. doi:10.1080/090 64710.2013.816363

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Saidabad, 500 009, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Ch. Srinivasarao, Sumanta Kundu & Pravin B Thakur

  2. Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, SNER/OAR DC, The Ohio State University, 43210, Columbus, OH, USA

    Rattan Lal

Authors
  1. Ch. Srinivasarao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rattan Lal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sumanta Kundu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pravin B Thakur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ch. Srinivasarao .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Farooq

  2. Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia

    Kadambot H. M. Siddique

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Srinivasarao, C., Lal, R., Kundu, S., Thakur, P. (2015). Conservation Agriculture and Soil Carbon Sequestration. In: Farooq, M., Siddique, K. (eds) Conservation Agriculture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11620-4_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation