Medium-term evaluation of the 4‰ initiative, soil organic carbon storage and stabilisation in a Mediterranean rainfed olive grove under conventional tillage: A case study

Abstract

This study aims to show the effect of conventional tillage (CT) in olive orchards in the medium term (15 years) on carbon (C) storage considering the complete soil profile, on the soil C sequestration and stabilisation capacity and on the viability for the achievement of Objective 4‰. The results obtained showed important losses in soil organic carbon (SOC) and SOC stock (SOC–S), with a significant loss of total SOC–S of 42.3%. Concerning the SOC and the SOC–S linked to the fine soil fraction (<20 μm), the evolution over time led however to a SOC increase in depth (BC and C horizons) of 58.3% and 20.9% and increases in SOC–S of 17.2%, 34.7% and 27.3% for the Ap, BC and C horizons, respectively. Finally, it was seen that the goals set by the 4‰ initiative were not met, as losses of 2.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 were found when considering the entire soil profile and 0.8 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 when considering only the first 40 cm. Therefore, we can affirm that medium-term CT has not only conditioned C storage in the soils studied, but also their capacity for sequestration and stabilisation, which has repercussions not only on the failure to meet the objectives of the 4‰ initiative, but also on the amount of C lost in 15 years.