Influence of different planting years on soil aggregates and organic carbon distribution in citrus orchards of low mountain and hilly areas in western Hubei
1.Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Slope Habitat Construction Technique Using;Cement-based Materials (China Three Gorges University),Yichang,Hubei 443002,China
2.College of;Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering,China Three Gorges University,Yichang,Hubei 443002,China
3.College of Biological & Pharmaceutical Sciences,China Three Gorges University,Yichang,Hubei 443002,China
Objective To explore the dynamic response patterns of soil aggregate stability and soil organic carbon (SOC) storage efficiency to the planting duration after converting dry land to citrus orchards in the low mountain and hilly areas of western Hubei Province, and to provide a scientific basis for the rational transformation of land use types and the research on carbon sequestration and emission reduction in agricultural soils in the western Hubei region. Methods Using a space-for-time substitution method, citrus orchards with different planting years (D7, D10, D12, D16, D20, D30, D40) were selected, with continuous corn cultivation in dry land (D0) as the control. The aggregate composition, stability, and organic carbon characteristics of soil samples at different soil layer depths (0—10 cm, 10—20 cm, 20—40 cm, 40—60 cm) were analyzed. Results (1) In the initial stage of converting dry land to citrus cultivation (0~7 years), the stability of soil aggregates (R0.25, MWD, GMD) and SOC storage decreased by 28.61%, 63.8%, 67.9%, and 7.41%, respectively, compared to the dry land. As the planting years increased, the stability of soil aggregates and SOC storage showed a slow upward trend. Compared to the dry land, the increase in each index in the surface layer was 0.65%, 25.75%, 30.82% and 1.95%, respectively. (2) Both the aggregate stability and SOC content showed a significant decreasing trend with the deepening of soil layers. Improvements were mainly concentrated in the 0—20 cm plough layer, and SOC exhibited clear surface accumulation. (3) Correlation analysis indicated that the SOC contribution rate and enrichment coefficient of >5 mm macro-aggregates were significantly positively correlated with R0.25, MWD, and GMD (p<0.05). Conclusion The transformation of dry land into long-term citrus cultivation promotes the enrichment of SOC in large aggregates, forming a positive feedback loop where aggregates and SOC work in synergy. This confirms that the long-term cultivation of dry land into citrus orchards improves soil properties. However, the improvement effect is characterized by surface accumulation and slow growth. Therefore, it is suggested that in intensive management, efforts should be focused on enhancing carbon inputs and physical protection of deeper soils.
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