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Interactions Between Soil Texture and Cover Crop Diversity Shape Carbon Dynamics and Aggregate Stability

Author

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  • Vladimír Šimanský

    (Institute of Agrochemistry and Soil Science, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia)

  • Martin Lukac

    (School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG1 1AF, UK
    Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to the use of cover crops as a means of improving soil quality, particularly in relation to soil organic matter (SOM) accumulation and aggregate stability. This study evaluated the effects of soil texture, soil depth, and cover crop type on soil organic carbon (Corg), labile carbon (C L ), and soil structure under field conditions in western Slovakia. A field experiment compared two texturally distinct Phaeozem soils—silty clay loam and sandy loam —and two cover cropping strategies: pea ( Pisum sativum L.) monoculture and a four-species mixture of flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.), camelina ( Camelina sativa L.), white mustard ( Sinapis alba L.), and Italian millet ( Setaria italica L.). Fine-textured soil accumulated up to 50% more Corg and 1.5 times more C L than sandy soil, while aggregate stability was up to 90% higher. The surface layer (0–10 cm) contained more SOM, but the deeper layer (10–20 cm) showed greater aggregate stability. Pea cultivation increased total organic carbon, whereas the diverse mixture enhanced labile carbon content and promoted the formation of smaller yet more stable aggregates. Strong correlations between C L and aggregate stability confirmed the key role of labile organic matter fractions in soil structural stabilisation. Overall, the results demonstrate that the interaction between soil texture and cover crop diversity critically shapes SOM dynamics and soil structure. Combining diverse cover crops with fine-textured soils provides an effective strategy to enhance soil quality, carbon sequestration, and long-term agricultural sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladimír Šimanský & Martin Lukac, 2025. "Interactions Between Soil Texture and Cover Crop Diversity Shape Carbon Dynamics and Aggregate Stability," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:10:p:2044-:d:1770223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. V. Kožnarová & J. Klabzuba, 2002. "Recommendation of World Meteorological Organization to describing meteorological or climatological conditions - Information," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 48(4), pages 190-192.
    2. Martin A. Bolinder & Felicity Crotty & Annemie Elsen & Magdalena Frac & Tamás Kismányoky & Jerzy Lipiec & Mia Tits & Zoltán Tóth & Thomas Kätterer, 2020. "The effect of crop residues, cover crops, manures and nitrogen fertilization on soil organic carbon changes in agroecosystems: a synthesis of reviews," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 929-952, August.
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