Benchmarking carbon sequestration potentials in arable soils by on-farm research on innovative pioneer farms

Abstract Purpose Tackling the global carbon deficit through soil organic (SOC) sequestration in agricultural systems has been a focal point recent years. However, we still lack comprehensive understanding of actual on-farm SOC potentials order to derive effective strategies. Methods Therefore, chose 21 study sites North-Eastern Austria covering wide range relevant arable types and determined pool sizes (0–35 cm depth) pioneer versus conventional management relation permanently covered reference soils. We evaluated physico-chemical predictors stocks quality differences between using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results Compared farming systems, were 14.3 Mg ha − 1 or 15.7% higher equaling rate 0.56 yr . Reference soils however showed approximately 30 50% than respectively. Nitrogen dissolved similar patterns. While could close storage coarse-textured soils, medium- fine-textured 30–40% lower compared quality, as inferred by FTIR spectra, differed land-use yet lesser extent cropping systems. Conclusions Innovative alleviates storage. Actual realized are rather estimated derived from field experiments models. The potential is governed parameters. More approaches necessary evaluate close-to-reality agroecosystems.