1Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari-736 165, West Bengal, India
2Professor, Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, West Bengal, India
3Professor, Directorate of Research, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal, India
4Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India
5Professor, Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author e-mail id: shovikiitkgp@gmail.com
Online published on 4 April, 2015.
The presence of organic C in soil is a key determinant for soil quality and productivity. Soil, being the largest C sinks, also controls the global warming. In this regard, this review focused onto the soil C dynamics, C sequestration potential of soil and related C pools. Detailed discussion of several researches depicted that, C sequestration depends onto soil C saturation deficit, presence of biochemically protected recalcitrant C fractions, aggregation and aggregate associated physically shielded C. On the other hand, labile organic C is the soil nutrient reservoir and is closely related with diversified soil biology. For the sustainable and holistic soil resource management and to mitigate climate change, this study also highlighted the possible management practices towards longer residence time of C in soil.
Soil organic C, C sequestration, Pools of soil C, Management practices, Soil quality, Environmental sustainability, Climate change
