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Soil organic carbon (SOC), a standard measure of soil health, contains equal amounts of biologically and non-biologically active C that is not associated with release of mineral N. A three-pool first-order model can be used to estimate the size and turnover rates of C pools but requires data from a long-term incubation. Here we highlight the use of two rapid C fractions, hydrolyzable and permanganate (0.02 M) oxidizable carbon, to assess shifts in biologically active C and mineralizable N prior to shifts in total SOC. (Bhowmik et al 2017; Renewable Agriculture & Food Systems).
Estimates of active, slow and resistant C pools and mean residence times (MRT) for 0–30 cm soil depth as determined by a 360 day laboratory incubation. (Adapted from Bhowmik et al 2017; RAFS)
Interrelationship (linear regression) of cumulative C and N mineralized on day 90 with (a) hydrolyzable soil carbon (HC) and (b) permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) measured as coefficient of determination (r2) across the five different organic management systems. (Adapted from Bhowmik et al 2017; RAFS)
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