Increases in organic carbon concentration and stock after clay addition to sands: validation of sampling methodology and effects of modification method

Abstract

Plant growth on sands is often constrained by water repellence, low fertility and low water-holding capacity (WHC). These soils also have low organic carbon (OC) concentration, particularly in a bleached A2 horizon. Addition of subsoil clay to sands (clay modification) can overcome these constraints and increase WHC; however, little is known about the effect on OC concentration. Clay addition is predicted to increase OC storage via increased OC input from improved plant growth and increased stabilisation of OC by binding to clays. The objectives of this study were (i) to validate the number of soil samples required within a 25-m grid for accurate OC and bulk density measurement in clay-modified soils and (ii) to determine OC concentration, bulk density and OC stocks in clay-modified compared with unmodified soil. The study was carried out on two agricultural properties in South Australia, where unmodified controls (sands with 1–3% clay) were compared with three methods of modification using clay (clay spread, delved and spaded). Soil cores to 50cm depth were collected after harvest within a 25-m grid. The study showed that clay modification could increase OC stocks (0–30cm) by up to 14tha–1 in the South East and 22tha–1 in the Eyre Peninsula. However, the magnitude of the OC stock increase was influenced by the modification method and depended on concentration and depth of incorporation of the added clay and organic matter.