Dynamics of aggregate-associated organic carbon after long-term cropland conversion in a karst region, southwest China

Cropland conversion has a major impact on soil C sequestration. However, it remains unclear about the changes in soil aggregate and their contribution to C accumulation following cropland conversion in a karst region, southwest China. In this study, three different cropland use types (sugarcane, mulberry and forage grass cultivation) were selected to replace maize-soybean cultivation. The soil was collected at a depth of 0 to 30 cm for analysis of soil aggregates and their OC content. Results showed that macro-aggregate was the predominant component underlying four cropland use types. Forage grass cultivation remarkably increased the OC stock and aggregate stability (MWD and GMD). OC content and stock associated with aggregate varied with cropland use types and soil depth, but were typically highest in forage grass fields. Macro-aggregates contained higher OC content and stock than other aggregate fractions, along with soil depth underlying four cropland use types. The increases in OC stock in forage grass field was mainly due to increased OC stocks within macro-aggregates, which is further attributed to the increase in OC content within macro-aggregates. Overall, forage grass cultivation replaced maize-soybean cultivation was suggested as an ecological restoration model to enhance soil C sequestration potential, owing to its role in increasing OC stock of aggregation and aggregate stability, in the karst region of southwest China.