Absence of a home-field advantage within a short-rotation arable cropping system

Abstract Aims The home-field advantage (HFA) hypothesis predicts faster decomposition of plant residues in home soil compared to soils with different plants ( away ), and has been demonstrated forest grassland ecosystems. It remains unclear if this legacy effect applies crop residue arable rotations. Such knowledge could improve our understanding dynamics may allow optimisation amendments systems by cleverly combining crop-residue rotations increase the amount residue-derived C persisting soil. Methods We tested HFA a reciprocal transplant experiment mesh bags containing wheat oilseed rape at three stages short-rotation cropping system. Subsets were retrieved monthly for six months determine rates, concomitantly measuring available N, microbial community structure (phospholipid fatty acid analysis), activity (Tea Bag Index protocol) assess how influence litter rates via alterations biochemical properties communities. Results decomposed similar all rotational stages. Thorough data investigation using several statistical approaches revealed no within rotation. Soil structures Conclusions attribute absence an shortness rotation disturbance involved intensive agricultural practices. is therefore unlikely that appreciable benefits be obtained short conventionally managed introducing