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Climate-smart legume-grass system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and net SOC
Author
Arshad, A
Hou, F
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

Improving forage productivity with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from limited grassland has been a hotspot of interest in global agricultural production. In this study, we analysed the effects of native grass species (Artemisia capillaris L.; Lespedeza daurica L. & Stipa bungeana L.), with legumes (alfalfa; M-vetch & Pea-shrub), and native grasses+legumes mistures (artemisia capillaris + alfalfa; Lespedeza daurica + pea shrub; and M-vetch + Stipa bungeana) overseeded mixtures were tested to quantify on GHG emissions, net soil organic carbon potential (Net SOC). Fodder forage yield-based greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), soil chemical properties and forage quality and productivity in Typical Steppe grassland in Gansu province of China during the cropping season on 2023 and 2024. The research results demonstrated that high seeded intensity alfalfa + native grass significantly improved forage production. The maximum total dry matter yield (DMY) during 2023 and 2024 was attained from legumes+native grass at optimum seeding (9,317 and 10,461 kg haˆ’1), and legumes mixtures vs native grass mixtures (8,513 and 9,892 kg haˆ’1) at higher seeding rates. The yearly collective GHG emissions from legume + native grass mixtures were lower than alfalfa sole-culture. Alfalfa with native grass mixtures significantly reduced greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) compared with the native grass es and sole alfalfa planting system. Moreover, experiment outcomes showed that native grass, alfalfa and alfalfa-native grass mixtures differentially affected on chemical properties of soil. Lower soil pH and C/N ratio were documented in higher planting density of alfalfa when grown under sole system, whereas legumes and native grasses mixtures significantly (17%) increased soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) contents up to 11.2% respectively. Notably, alfalfa maximum planting density with native grasses combinations are essential for improving fodder/forage quality, productivity by mitigating the GHG emissions from the highly-productive agroecosystems. In conclusion, the Legumes+Native grass mixture enhanced Net-SOC and GHGI in Typical Steppe grassland systems, whereas restoring soil nitrogen and ecosystem functioning with high quality forage yield. These climate-smart agricultural practices could contribute to the development of sustainable grassland production in China under extreme weather conditions by investing minimum input resources. 1. Introduction : The Chinese grasslands ecosystem is greatly affected by climate change and human activity via land use and cover change, direct grazing, mowing, infrastructure and recent development. Grasslands of China are vast (approximately 400 Mha), and some 90% are overgrazed and considered degraded, although only 10%

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 1408-1413. Theme: Theme 5 / Poster presentation – Theme 5
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
Soil organic carbon
legume-native grasses
global warming
soil restoration
climate adaptation