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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Center of Agrarian and Environmental Science, Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha MA 65500-000, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Maristela C. Morais & Marcos Siqueira-Neto & Henrique P. Guerra & Lucas S. Satiro & Amin Soltangheisi & Carlos E. P. Cerri & Brigitte J. Feigl & Maurício R. Cherubin, 2020. "Trade-Offs between Sugarcane Straw Removal and Soil Organic Matter in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9363-:d:443204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vera Heck & Dieter Gerten & Wolfgang Lucht & Alexander Popp, 2018. "Biomass-based negative emissions difficult to reconcile with planetary boundaries," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(2), pages 151-155, February.
    2. Hussain, Akhtar & Arif, Syed Muhammad & Aslam, Muhammad, 2017. "Emerging renewable and sustainable energy technologies: State of the art," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 12-28.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maurício Roberto Cherubin & João Luís Nunes Carvalho & Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri & Luiz Augusto Horta Nogueira & Glaucia Mendes Souza & Heitor Cantarella, 2021. "Land Use and Management Effects on Sustainable Sugarcane-Derived Bioenergy," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, January.

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