Trade-Offs between Sugarcane Straw Removal and Soil Organic Matter in Brazil

Maristela C. Morais, Marcos Siqueira-Neto, Henrique P. Guerra, Lucas S. Satiro, Amin Soltangheisi, Carlos E. P. Cerri, Brigitte J. Feigl and Maurício R. Cherubin
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Maristela C. Morais: Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Marcos Siqueira-Neto: Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Henrique P. Guerra: Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Lucas S. Satiro: “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Amin Soltangheisi: Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Carlos E. P. Cerri: “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Brigitte J. Feigl: Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil
Maurício R. Cherubin: “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba SP 13416-900, Brazil

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-13

Abstract: Environmental benefits from bioenergy production derived from sugarcane crop residues (straw) can be lost by soil organic matter depletion resulting from excessive straw removal rates from fields. Soil organic carbon stock is the core for sustaining soil health, supporting nutrient cycling, and sequestering carbon dioxide. To find out that how much sugarcane straw can be removed from the field to produce bioenergy without changes in soil C concentrations, we investigated effects of straw removal rates (total, moderate, and no removal of sugarcane straw) on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in an Oxisol and an Ultisol in southeastern Brazil for two years. Soil C and N fractions were affected by increased rates of straw removal at the second year. In the Oxisol, total straw removal decreased labile and microbial-C by ~30% and soil C stock by 20% compared to no straw removal. No removal decreased microbial-N and total N stock by ~15% and ~20%, respectively. In the Ultisol, no straw removal resulted in increases in C stock by >10% and labile and microbial-C by ~20% related to total straw removal. Total straw removal showed more microbial-N (~10%) and total-N stock (~25%) compared to no straw removal. The moderate straw removal intensity (i.e., 8 to 10 Mg ha −1 of straw) may control the straw-C release to soil by straw decomposition. This study suggests that excessive straw removal rates should be avoided, preventing SOM depletion and consequently, soil health degradation. Moderate straw removal seems to be a promising strategy, but long-term soil C monitoring is fundamental to design more sustainable straw management and bioenergy production systems.

Keywords: crop residue management; soil organic matter quality index; bioenergy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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