Organic carbon stocks and dynamics in Ferrallitic Red leached soils with grasslands in western Cuba

Abstract

Agriculture faces the challenge of being both productive and sustainable, requiring practices that improve soil quality and contribute to climate change mitigation. The accumulation of organic carbon in soil is a key factor in this process, as it enhances ecosystem stability and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This study determined the organic carbon (SOC) stocks and their temporal dynamics (2004-2017) in Ferrallitic Red Leached soils under different land-use systems (monoculture grasslands and silvopastoral systems with fruit trees) in three provinces of western Cuba (Mayabeque, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río). Nine soil profiles were analyzed in areas covered by Dichanthium caricosum grass, revealing stocks of up to 58 Mg ha⁻¹ in the 0-20 cm layer and up to 80 Mg ha⁻¹ in the 0-50 cm layer, while values in the 50-100 cm layer were lower (17-36 Mg ha⁻¹). Temporal evaluation in five profiles showed significant accumulation, with rates of up to 2.62 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ at a depth of 0-30 cm. Silvopastoral systems (associated with mango, citrus, and guava) showed higher SOC stocks than monoculture grasslands. These findings provide valuable insights for developing agricultural strategies aimed at carbon capture and sequestration, promoting soil conservation and environmental sustainability in tropical soils.