Increased soil carbon by accelerated humus formation from crop residues

The project aimed to trial and demonstrate innovative on-farm practices that could increase the sequestration of carbon (C) located in soil under cereal crops, through accelerated residue decomposition and nutrient management to increase humus production. It has also aimed to quantify relative changes in soil carbon and N2O emissions due to post-harvest fertiliser application.

The key findings of this project were:

• Over two years of measurements, soil carbon (C) values had not significantly increased with fertiliser or stubble treatments.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions increased when fertiliser was applied onto stubble post-harvest.
• While the effects of fertiliser addition on grain yields were inconsistent, stubble management was important in determining yield across all sites.

Riverine Plains Inc is currently compiling the farmer version of the final report.