The Effect of Trends in Tillage Practices on Erosion and Carbon Content of Soils in the US Corn Belt

摘要: The EPIC model was used to simulate soil erosion and C content at 100 randomly selected sites in the US corn belt. Four management scenarios were run for years: (1) current mix of tillage practices maintained; (2) trend conversion mulch-till no-till (3) increased no-till; (4) with addition winter wheat cover crop. As expected, three alternative resulted substantial decreases compared practices. top 15 cm scenarios, while remaining approximately constant mix. However, total a depth 1 m from original surface decreased all except plus crop scenario. Extrapolated entire belt, results suggest that, under practices, soils and/or soybean production will lose 3.2 × 106 tons per year next years. About 21% this loss be transported off-site by erosion; an unknown fraction released atmosphere. For base trend, these are projected 2.2 t-C yr−1 1.0 yr−1, respectively. Under scenario, become small sink 0.1 yr−1. Thus, shift widespread use could conserve sequester 3.3