MATERIAL/SUBSTANCE FLOW ANALYSIS OF CARBON FLUX IN AN ORGANIC AND A CONVENTIONAL VEGETABLE FARM

作者：Hongyeng L^*; Agamuthu P

来源：Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014, 51(3): 511-516.

• Greenhouse gases
• carbon flux
• organic farming
• vegetable culture
• carbon sequestration

Organic input in agricultural farm system is thought to enhance carbon sequestration by increasing soil organic matter content. Yet, the findings on the soil carbon concentrations increment in organically managed soil still remain controversial. In this paper, carbon flow of the key processes in organic farm (OF) and conventional farm (CF) were modelled using material flow analysis (MFA) for evidence of carbon stock. Carbon flux modelling shows 363 tC h(-1) y(1) of entry into farm system and signify the potential of OF as carbon sink. On the other hand, CF was identified as carbon source because the farm had -34,724 tC h(-1) y(1) carbon stock change. The carbon flux of OF system led to 29% increase in the soil carbon concentration, whereas at CF the carbon concentration decreased by 11.7%. High amount of carbon exit in OF and CF through surface runoff and leaching, hence, improvement of farm management is needed especially in water management. Lower water outflow was observed at OF than within CF; however, the high carbon concentration found in surface runoff and leaching indicates that carbon get washed off from the farm. Based on MFA results, the farm management for OF and CF system can be improved to ensure economic and environmental benefits.

• 出版日期2014-9