New test unlocks importance of carbon

A new test can identify, measure and compare soil organic carbon content – helping farmers improve and maintain soil health and carbon sequestration.

Launched by Eurofins Agro UK, the test uses use near-infrared spectroscopy to measure organic matter. This will help farmers to make more accurate decisions and reduce CO2 emissions by sequestering more carbon, says the company’s Sophie Cath.

“For the first time, farmers will be able to use accurate carbon data to chart soil health. This will help decide crop rotation, the use of nitrogen fixing cover or break crops and the quantity of organic and non-organic fertilisers.”

The test will provide data on how much carbon is sequestered in the soil, how much organic matter is stable or dynamic, what inputs can be used to improve the carbon sequestration potential of the soil, and how those inputs are likely to impact on the crop.”

Carbon is seen as a key indicator of soil stability and fertility. Understanding how it fluctuates is the key to balancing the amount of carbon, nitrogen, and other soil components.

“Understanding the carbon to nitrogen ratio is critical to soil stability because it helps to indicate what levels of nitrogen and other inputs are sustainable for the soil,” says Ms Cath.

The speed at which organic matter degrades determines the nutrients released to a crop. The higher the breakdown, the more nutrients are made available. The test captures this data which is then made available to farmers.

Results indicate what inputs will benefit the crop and what needs to be returned to the soil to improve carbon sequestration, says Ms Cath. The optimum level for a given crop can be better gauged by first understanding the active organic carbon content, she adds.

“We know that adding nitrogen stimulates growth. But the carbon to nitrogen ration is crucial to accurately evaluating the stability of organic matter and the speed it is broken down. By understanding this, we can manage soil carbon sequestration more accurately.”