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The use of carbon isotope ratios to evaluate legume contribution to soil enhancement in tropical pastures

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Abstract

Soil carbon distribution with depth, stable carbon isotope ratios in soil organic matter and their changes as a consequence of the presence of legume were studied in three 12-year-old tropical pastures (grass alone —Brachiaria decumbens (C4), legume alone —Pueraria phaseoloides (C3) and grass + legume) on an Oxisol in Colombia. The objective of this study was to determine the changes that occurred in the13C isotope composition of soil from a grass + legume pasture that was established by cultivation of a native savanna dominated by C4 vegetation. The13C natural abundance technique was used to estimate the amount of soil organic carbon originating from the legume. Up to 29% of the organic carbon in soil of the grass + legume pasture was estimated to be derived from legume residues in the top 0–2-cm soil depth, which decreased to 7% at 8–10 cm depth. Improvements in soil fertility resulting from the soil organic carbon originated from legume residues were measured as increased potential rates of nitrogen mineralization and increased yields of rice in a subsequent crop after the grass + legume pasture compared with the grass-only pasture. We conclude that the13C natural abundance technique may help to predict the improvements in soil quality in terms of fertility resulting from the presence of a forage legume (C3) in a predominantly C4 grass pasture.

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  1. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, A.A. 6713, Cali, Colombia

    I. M. Rao, M. A. Ayarza & R. J. Thomas

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  1. I. M. Rao
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  2. M. A. Ayarza
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  3. R. J. Thomas
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Rao, I.M., Ayarza, M.A. & Thomas, R.J. The use of carbon isotope ratios to evaluate legume contribution to soil enhancement in tropical pastures. Plant Soil 162, 177–182 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01347704

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