Interactions Between Soil Texture and Cover Crop Diversity Shape Carbon Dynamics and Aggregate Stability
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41320%2F25%3A103162" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41320/25:103162 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land14102044" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.3390/land14102044</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land14102044" target="_blank" >10.3390/land14102044</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Interactions Between Soil Texture and Cover Crop Diversity Shape Carbon Dynamics and Aggregate Stability
Original language description
Increasing attention is being paid to the use of cover crops as a means of improving soil quality, particularly in relation to soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation and aggregate stability. This study evaluated the effects of soil texture, soil depth, and cover crop type on soil organic carbon (Corg), labile carbon (CL), and soil structure under field conditions in western Slovakia. A field experiment compared two texturally distinct Phaeozem soils-silty clay loam and sandy loam -and two cover cropping strategies: pea (Pisum sativum L.) monoculture and a four-species mixture of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and Italian millet (Setaria italica L.). Fine-textured soil accumulated up to 50% more Corg and 1.5 times more CL than sandy soil, while aggregate stability was up to 90% higher. The surface layer (0-10 cm) contained more SOM, but the deeper layer (10-20 cm) showed greater aggregate stability. Pea cultivation increased total organic carbon, whereas the diverse mixture enhanced labile carbon content and promoted the formation of smaller yet more stable aggregates. Strong correlations between CL and aggregate stability confirmed the key role of labile organic matter fractions in soil structural stabilisation. Overall, the results demonstrate that the interaction between soil texture and cover crop diversity critically shapes SOM dynamics and soil structure. Combining diverse cover crops with fine-textured soils provides an effective strategy to enhance soil quality, carbon sequestration, and long-term agricultural sustainability.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
40104 - Soil science
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
R - Projekt Ramcoveho programu EK
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Land
ISSN
2073-445X
e-ISSN
2073-445X
Volume of the periodical
14
Issue of the periodical within the volume
OCT 13 2025
Country of publishing house
CH - SWITZERLAND
Number of pages
13
Pages from-to
1-13
UT code for WoS article
001603019200001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105020307429