New Article: "Long-term cropping systems shape soil organic matter dynamics and related soil indicators in a Paraguayan agroecosystem"

Researchers from the Soil Health & Management Research Group (SOHMA) contributed to the article “Long-term cropping systems shape soil organic matter dynamics and related soil indicators in a Paraguayan agroecosystem,” published in 2026 in the scientific journal Climate Smart Agriculture. The study brings together researchers from the “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP), the Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA/USP), the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA), and other partner institutions.

The study investigated how different cropping systems, subjected to 32 years of agricultural management in Paraguay, influence soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics, carbon and nitrogen stocks, and physical, chemical, and biological indicators related to soil health. The research compared conventional tillage, minimum tillage, and no-till systems, including variations in crop diversification levels and the use of cover crops.

The results demonstrated that no-till systems maintained higher carbon and nitrogen stocks compared to conventional tillage, particularly in the topsoil layer (0–10 cm). In this layer, no-till systems exhibited carbon stocks at least 30% greater than those under conventional tillage. Furthermore, crop diversification showed positive effects (primarily on nitrogen stocks and the storage of carbon and nitrogen within the mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) fraction) though it did not lead to consistent increases in total carbon stocks.

The work also identified associations between higher soil organic matter stocks and more favorable soil health conditions, including improvements in nutrient availability, aggregate stability, and biological activity. The results reinforce the importance of reducing soil disturbance through no-till farming as a strategy to promote the accumulation of organic matter and enhance soil health, while also highlighting the need to integrate crop diversification with proper fertility management.