Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: In most studies, soil carbon sequestration has been evaluated simply with change of soil organic carbon content. So far, information regarding stability of soil organic carbon is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was conducted to determine changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content and stability of carbon in response to compost application rates and plastic mulching treatment during the hot pepper growing season. Under the pot experiment condition, compost was mixed with an arable soil at rates corresponding to 0, 10, 20, and 40 Mg/ha. To determine effects of plastic mulching on soil carbon sequestration, plastic mulching and no mulching treatments were set up in soils amended with the application rate of 20 Mg/ha. The SOC content did not significantly increase with application of compost and plastic mulching at harvest time. No significant changes in bulk density with compost application and plastic mulching was found. These might result from short duration of experiment. While hot water extractable organic carbon content significantly decreased with compost application and plastic mulching, humic substances increased. Belowground biomass of hot pepper was biggest at the recommended application rate (20 Mg/ha) of compost.

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