A collaborative study by scientists from Cornell University and Purdue University has shed light on a new benefit of adding calcium to soil. Traditionally used to regulate soil pH and improve structure, calcium has now been identified as a key player in enhancing soil organic matter and trapping carbon.
This discovery, made at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) facility, reveals that calcium alters the soil's microbial community, leading to more efficient organic matter processing. This efficiency means more carbon remains in the soil, and less escapes as CO2, which is vital for addressing climate change concerns.
The presence of more organic carbon in the soil translates into numerous advantages. These include better water retention in drought conditions, more efficient nutrient supply to plants, increased plant growth, and greater resistance to erosion. This breakthrough understanding of calcium's role can revolutionize agricultural practices, especially in the context of environmental sustainability.
Using sophisticated techniques at the CLS, researchers were able to measure the decomposed plant matter and stabilized carbon in the soil after calcium application. The findings suggest that farmers can use calcium-rich amendments like lime and gypsum not just for crop yield improvements but also for enhancing the organic carbon content of their soils.
This study opens new doors in agricultural science, offering farmers an additional tool to improve soil health while also contributing to carbon sequestration efforts.
Source : wisconsinagconnection