Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration with Conservation Agriculture in the Southeastern Usa: Potential and Limitations

The carbon (C) cycle is the basis for greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Globally, agriculture is responsible for about 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions. However, this percentage does not take into account the large role that agriculture plays in the opposing processes of photosynthesis and respiration (Figure 1), as well as contributions to soil organic C sequestration via animal manure application and crop residue inputs with conservation agricultural systems. The C cycle can be either positively or negatively affected by agricultural activities, depending upon management choices.