Carbon Sequestration in Agricultural Soils: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Innovative Methods

This compilation of techniques, methodologies and scientific data arises from a four-year Italian research project, which took place at university research stations in Turin, Piacenza, Naples and Potenza. Soil Organic Matter (SOM) represents an active and essential pool of the total organic carbon on the planet. Consequently, even small changes in this SOM carbon pool may have a significant impact on the concentration of atmospheric CO2. Recent new understanding of the chemical nature of SOM indicates that innovative and sustainable technologies may be applied to sequester carbon in agricultural soils. Overall results of the project have been applied to develop an innovative model for the prediction and description, both quantitatively and qualitatively, of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. This book provides experts in different areas of soil science with a complete picture of the effects of new soil management methods and their potentials for practical application in farm management. – INTRODUCTION The National FISR-MESCOSAGR project and the multidisciplinary approach to validate the eco-sustainability of new technologies for carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. -CHAPTER 1 The nature of Soil Organic Matter and global changes Prof. Alessandro Piccolo (Universit di Napoli Federico II), and Dr. Giuseppe Celano, (Universit della Basilicata). -CHAPTER 2 The Kyoto protocol and European and Italian regulations in Agriculture Dr. Donato Sannino and Prof. Alessandro Piccolo (Universit di Napoli Federico II). -CHAPTER 3 The experimental plots, nutrients balance, and productive yields under innovative methods of carbon sequestration. Prof. Carlo Grignani (Universit di Torino) and Prof. Massimo Fagnano (Universit di Napoli Federico II). – CHAPTER 4 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. Chemical and physical-chemical aspects. Dr. Riccardo Spaccini and Prof. Alessandro Piccolo (Universit di Napoli Federico II). – CHAPTER 5 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. Use of 13C- and 15N-labelled compounds for the soil-plant balance in carbon sequestration. Dr. Giuseppe Celano (Universit della Basilicata) and Dr. Francesco Alluvione (Universit di Torino). – CHAPTER 6 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. Microbiological aspects. Prof. Giancarlo Moschetti (Universit di Palermo) and Prof. Olimpia Pepe (Universit di Napoli Federico II). -CHAPTER 7 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. Eco-toxicological aspects. Prof. Marco Trevisan and Dr. Edoardo Puglisi (Universit Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza). -CHAPTER 8 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. Biological and biotecnological aspects. Prof. Pacifico Ruggero and Prof Carmine Crecchio (Universit di Bari). -CHAPTER 9 The carbon dynamics in the experimental plots. CO2 and N2O fluxes from agricultural soils. Prof. Amalia Virzo and Prof. Angelo Fierro (Universit di Napoli Federico II). -CHAPTER 10 Influence of carbon sequestration methods on crop roots architecture. Prof. Maurizio Badiani et al. (Universit Mediterranea, Reggio Calabria). – CHAPTER 11 New modelling approach to preview and describe carbon sequestration dynamics in agricultural soils. Prof. Stefano Mazzoleni et al. (Universit di Napoli Federico II).