%0 Journal Article
%T Soil Organic Carbon Changes for Switchgrass Farms in East Tennessee, USA
%A Burton C. English
%A Donald D. Tyler
%A Dustin K. Toliver
%A Jaehoon Lee
%A Jon C. Walton
%A R. Jamey Menard
%J -
%D 2018
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems2020025
%X Abstract Much attention has been paid to switchgrass＊s potential for conversion to cellulosic ethanol and its ability to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil samples from switchgrass farms in East Tennessee were collected at depths of 0每5, 15每30, 30每60, and 60每90 cm and tested for SOC over a 4-year period (2008每2011). Results showed no differences ( p ≡ 0.05) in SOC from 2008 to 2011. However, when comparing the initial samples to year four, SOC decreases ranging from 0.04 to 0.47 t ha ˋ1 were observed in the 5每10 and 10每15 cm soil depths. While SOC increased with time in the 90 to 120 cm layer, this increase was not significant at p = 0.05 but was significant at the 0.10 level. Following three full growing seasons, switchgrass＊s potential to sequester carbon comes at deeper soil depths due to its vast root structure. Greater levels of carbon were present in soil previously no-tilled compared to that previously under conventional tillage; however, neither gained or lost a significant amount of SOC by year four. Alfisols were the only taxonomic category that had a significant increase in SOC by year four. Green beans were the only previously produced crop that had a significant positive effect on sequestering carbon. Increases in switchgrass yield were correlated to SOC. View Full-Tex
%K soil carbon
%K carbon sequestration
%K soil testing
%K switchgrass
%K cellulosic feedstock
%K renewables
%K Tennessee
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/2/2/25