Submission Date

7-27-2022

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Biology

Faculty Mentor

Denise Finney

Student Contributor

Reese Goodlin

Comments

Presented during the 24th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 22, 2022 at Ursinus College.

Project Description

As anthropogenic activities continue to increase the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, the impact of climate change on both crop production and carbon sequestration continues to be of great interest. While often overlooked as mere dirt, soil is in itself a complex ecosystem that serves as the foundation of agricultural activities, as it is home to microbial communities that cycle nutrients such as carbon (C) and transform them into nutrients plants can use through the process of decomposition. While it is generally accepted that roots are the predominant source of soil C, there is little research and much debate about the contributions of distinct types of roots. In this study, we examine the relationship between root biomass and C mineralization in a forage diversity agricultural system, and find there exists a positive relationship between fine root (>2mm diameter) concentration and the amount of CO2 lost from the soil.

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