Carbon Isotopic Signatures in Biomass and Soil Organic Matter Fractions of Perennial and Conventional Cropping Systems
(2026) NGEK11 20261Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (MGeo)
- Abstract
- Efforts are increasingly being made to enhance the carbon (C) storage capacity of agricultural soils as a strategy for climate change mitigation by reducing C losses from croplands. Perennial crops have been shown to increase soil organic matter (SOM) storage and promote the stabilisation of soil C, thereby potentially reducing the climate impact of agriculture, although often producing lower yields than annual crops. One such perennial crop is intermediate wheatgrass, a relative to conventional wheat domesticated under the name Kernza®. In addition to its potential for increased C storage, Kernza has been associated with reduced soil erosion, decreased nutrient leaching, and lower pesticide requirements. Its C storage potential is... (More)
- Efforts are increasingly being made to enhance the carbon (C) storage capacity of agricultural soils as a strategy for climate change mitigation by reducing C losses from croplands. Perennial crops have been shown to increase soil organic matter (SOM) storage and promote the stabilisation of soil C, thereby potentially reducing the climate impact of agriculture, although often producing lower yields than annual crops. One such perennial crop is intermediate wheatgrass, a relative to conventional wheat domesticated under the name Kernza®. In addition to its potential for increased C storage, Kernza has been associated with reduced soil erosion, decreased nutrient leaching, and lower pesticide requirements. Its C storage potential is currently being investigated by research institutions worldwide, including Lund University. Tracing C isotopic signatures (δ¹³C) using mass spectrometry provides insights into how C is stored within soils across different depths and from where it derives. Further understanding can be gained by separating SOM into geochemically distinct fractions. This study investigated δ¹³C in Kernza biomass and compared the SOM fractions particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in soils cultivated with Kernza and conventional wheat at different soil depths, in Alnarp, Sweden. The results showed that the δ¹³C values of plant biomass were more negative than those of POM. Furthermore, both POM and MAOM exhibited δ¹³C enrichment with depth, reflecting the more advanced degradation state and greater contributions of microbially derived organic matter in deeper soil layers. The study also showed that soils under Kernza contained a larger proportion of SOM as POM, suggesting increased organic matter inputs from its extensive root system. This may contribute to greater long-term soil C stabilisation compared to annual wheat systems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9237990
- author
- Ahnfelt, Sofia LU
- supervisor
-
- Adrian Gustafson LU
- Sylvain Richoz LU
- Tim Arnold LU
- organization
- course
- NGEK11 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9237990
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-16 09:17:15
- date last changed
- 2026-06-16 09:17:15
@misc{9237990,
abstract = {{Efforts are increasingly being made to enhance the carbon (C) storage capacity of agricultural soils as a strategy for climate change mitigation by reducing C losses from croplands. Perennial crops have been shown to increase soil organic matter (SOM) storage and promote the stabilisation of soil C, thereby potentially reducing the climate impact of agriculture, although often producing lower yields than annual crops. One such perennial crop is intermediate wheatgrass, a relative to conventional wheat domesticated under the name Kernza®. In addition to its potential for increased C storage, Kernza has been associated with reduced soil erosion, decreased nutrient leaching, and lower pesticide requirements. Its C storage potential is currently being investigated by research institutions worldwide, including Lund University. Tracing C isotopic signatures (δ¹³C) using mass spectrometry provides insights into how C is stored within soils across different depths and from where it derives. Further understanding can be gained by separating SOM into geochemically distinct fractions. This study investigated δ¹³C in Kernza biomass and compared the SOM fractions particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in soils cultivated with Kernza and conventional wheat at different soil depths, in Alnarp, Sweden. The results showed that the δ¹³C values of plant biomass were more negative than those of POM. Furthermore, both POM and MAOM exhibited δ¹³C enrichment with depth, reflecting the more advanced degradation state and greater contributions of microbially derived organic matter in deeper soil layers. The study also showed that soils under Kernza contained a larger proportion of SOM as POM, suggesting increased organic matter inputs from its extensive root system. This may contribute to greater long-term soil C stabilisation compared to annual wheat systems.}},
author = {{Ahnfelt, Sofia}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Carbon Isotopic Signatures in Biomass and Soil Organic Matter Fractions of Perennial and Conventional Cropping Systems}},
year = {{2026}},
}