Regression-Kriged Soil Organic Carbon Stock Changes in Manured Corn Silage-Alfalfa Production Systems

Accurate measurement of soil organic C (SOC) stock changes over time is essential to verify management effects on C sequestration. This study quantified spatial and temporal changes in SOC stocks on adjacent 65-ha corn (Zea mays L.) silage-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) fields receiving liquid dairy manure in west central Minnesota. We used regression kriging to interpolate SOC in four soil layers in 2006 and 2015, and calculated stock changes over time. Regression kriging with elevation, topographic wetness index, field (west vs. east), and irrigation (yes vs. no) accurately predicted SOC in the 0 to 15-cm (R-2 = 0.89) and 15 to 30-cm layers (R-2 = 0.51-0.95), where variogram analysis indicated moderate to strong spatial correlation. From 0 to 15 cm, SOC in the west field increased by 7% (+4.5 Mg C ha(-1)) over the study period caused by gains in irrigated portions of the field. No changes were found in the east field or from 15 to 30 cm in either field. Below 30 cm, a lack of spatial structure and a lack of relationships between SOC and auxiliary variables was found, but simple means indicated SOC gains of 13% (+ 4.7 Mg C ha(-1)) in the 30 to 60-cm layer and 24% (+ 3.9 Mg C ha(-1)) in the 60 to 90-cm layer across both fields. Regression kriging with easily acquired auxiliary variables offers a highly accurate method of monitoring SOC stock changes over time to 30 cm depth. Current management practices maintain or increase SOC in these fields.