Role of Clay Mineralogy in the Stabilization of Soil Organic Carbon in Olive Groves under Contrasted Soil Management

Cropland soils are key systems in global carbon budgets due to their high carbon-sequestration potential. It is widely accepted that clays one of the soil components have a significant effect on stabilisation organic (SOC), owing its surface interactions with molecules. However, identification direct effects SOC stabilization complicated, mainly difficulty accurately characterizing mineralogy clays, especially phyllosilicates. In this study, relationships between phyllosilicates and functional pools woodlands comparable olive groves, under two contrasting management (bare versus cover crops) parent materials (calcareous siliceous), were explored. The total clay fractions soil-clay assemblages analysed through decomposition X-ray diffraction patterns, then related four pools. Total unprotected was higher groves crops, true independent material, proving importance herbaceous covers sequestration woody crops. Some correlations minerals found. Interestingly, mixed-layer content correlated biochemically protected fraction (r = 0.810, p < 0.05), so even when partial correlation coefficient calculated 0.761, 0.05). According networks (PCN), separated clusters variables obtained, which joined into only at fdr 0.25. PCNs supported content, those rich smectite, fraction, suggesting smectite layers may stabilize Since potassium enrichment rooted woodland increase collapse swelling layers, these poorer phases than bare soils. This also would explain why more abundant latter.