Organic carbon stock in soil and it’s management

Carbon is the primary element found in soil organic matter (SOM), constituting 48–58 per cent of the total weight. Consequently, soil represents the second-largest carbon pool on Earth, following the oceans, and it is twice the size of the atmospheric carbon pool. Given the significance of carbon in SOM, it is commonly measured as soil organic carbon (SOC). Increasing soil carbon content aids in the formation of larger, more stable aggregates, thereby maintaining soil structure. Carbon serves as a source of energy that supports microbial activity. It also provides a reservoir of organic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and other nutrients essential for plant survival and productivity. Additionally, higher soil carbon levels create a more physically cohesive soil that can resist erosion and contribute to climate change mitigation. Strategies for enhancing soil carbon stocks include minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining continuous ground cover, strengthening nutrient recycling mechanisms, achieving a positive nutrient balance, promoting biodiversity, and reducing the loss of water and nutrients from the ecosystem.