Abstract:
To investigate the effects of different short-term cropping systems on soil aggregate stability and soil organic carbon (SOC) in perennial rice, aiming to provide theoretical support for optimizing tillage management practices in farmland across the Jianghan Plain region and achieving soil carbon sequestration and emission reduction. A split-plot design was employed, with the main plots comprising two ‘one-crop-two-harvest’ cropping systems (conventional and mowing system) and the split plots consisting of four rice varieties (perennial rice varieties PR25 and PR109, and local conventional varieties FLY and YXY). Dry sieve analysis separated and measured macro (2 mm), meso (0.25–2 mm), micro (0.053–0.25 mm), and silt-clay (0.053 mm) aggregate fractions and their SOC in the topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm). Relationships among aggregate stability, annual average subsurface carbon input, and organic carbon were analyzed. Compared with local rice varieties, perennial rice PR109 under significantly increased both topsoil and subsoil SOC content, large aggregate fraction, aggregate SOC content, and aggregate stability under mowing system, while reducing soil erodibility factor K. PR109 only enhanced indicators of subsoil under the mowing regime. Further analysis revealed that both PR25 and PR109 significantly increased belowground carbon inputs. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant linear correlation (P<0.01) between subsoil SOC content and belowground carbon inputs, indicating that increased belowground carbon inputs contribute to soil SOC accumulation. Moreover, soil aggregate stability and the erosion susceptibility factor K value showed significant correlations with aggregate size distribution, indicating that larger aggregates play a crucial role in enhancing soil erosion resistance. In summary, suitable perennial rice varieties (PR109) can significantly enhance soil aggregate stability and organic carbon content. When combined with a mowing management system, they further improve soil and water conservation and carbon sequestration benefits.