Challenges and Opportunities of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Croplands

Abstract

This chapter reviews the main farming practices related with soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in croplands, aimed, simultaneously, at improving soil quality and health, and reducing net emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The reviewed practices include conservation tillage, reduced tillage, no tillage, crop re­sidues management, manuring and fertilizing, and cover cropping. In addition, this manuscript addresses prospects for future development by means of agroforestry, biochar application, and perennial grain crops, aimed at maintaining sustainability of agroecosystems, restoring degraded croplands, and increasing the SOC sink capacity. The data collected supports the conclusion that taking into consideration the prevailing physical conditions, wise integration of various conservation practices may increase the ability of croplands in sequestering SOC while maintaining ecosystem services and enhancing agronomic production.