Expanding and intensifying agriculture has led to a loss of soil carbon. This study investigates the interaction between plants and microbes in agricultural soils to maximize soil carbon retention. A field trial with varying numbers of undersown species (1 to 8) showed that increased plant diversity strengthens positive associations within the rhizosphere soil microbiota, enhancing carbon use efficiency (CUE). This, in turn, enhances community CUE and soil carbon retention. The results highlight the potential of increasing plant diversity in agriculture as a management strategy to enhance carbon retention.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Sep 14, 2024
Authors
Luiz A. Domeignoz-Horta, Seraina L. Cappelli, Rashmi Shrestha, Stephanie Gerin, Annalea K. Lohila, Jussi Heinonsalo, Daniel B. Nelson, Ansgar Kahmen, Pengpeng Duan, David Sebag, Eric Verrecchia, Anna-Lisa Laine
Tags
soil carbon retention
plant diversity
microbial interactions
carbon use efficiency
agriculture
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