Soil carbon refers to the organic matter present in the soil, including microbes such as bacteria and fungi, as well as decomposed plant and animal material. Nearly all soil carbon originates from living or recently living organisms, or from materials derived from them. Soil carbon plays a crucial role in soil health, influencing structure, water retention, and drainage. Effective soil carbon management focuses on promoting biological activity within the soil and implementing practices that minimize carbon loss as organic matter breaks down.

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Soil carbon comes from the sky. However it is the living things in the soil that convert it from CO2 in the atmosphere into the complex carbons that are essential for good production.

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‍Photosynthesis:‍

Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting it into sugars and other organic compounds. This forms the basis of soil carbon inputs.

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Roots & Carbon Transfer to Soil:‍

Plants release up to 40% of their photosynthetic carbon into the soil as root exudates. These sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and other carbon based compounds. These act as an energy source for soil microbes and help stimulate microbial activity.

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Microbial action:‍

Microbes consume these compounds, transforming them into biomass and metabolites. Some of this carbon is released as CO₂ through respiration, but a portion is incorporated into stable soil organic matter.

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Plant Residue Breakdown:

‍When plants shed leaves, roots, and stems, decomposers (fungi and bacteria), break down this organic material. 

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Carbon Sequestration:‍

Over time, some carbon gets incorporated into deep soil layers through root turnover, microbial necromass, and leaching of dissolved organic carbon. This long-term carbon pool can persist for decades or centuries.

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Generating soil carbon can be as easy as applying Carbon Boost to improve your microbial balance and stimulate root growth. However, there are other practices that will enable you to generate even more carbon.

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Here are four ways to help generate more soil carbon:

• Increase ground cover: Having more leaves equals more room for photosynthesis.
• Reduce tillage practices:  Reducing soil disturbance will reduce the oxidation of organic matter.
• Improve soil structure: Carbon is stable in larger aggregates.‍
• Improve water holding capacity: Soil moisture levels affect microbial activity, dry soils are bad for microbes.

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Your current farming practices may be having a negative affect on your soil carbon.

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Here are four practices that are reducing your soil carbon levels:

• Excess tillage: Excessive tillage leads to the oxidation of organic matter, and affects soil structure.
• Burning Stubble: Burning off excess stubble releases the carbon from organic matter back into the atmosphere removing it from your system.
• Excess herbicides, pesticides and fungicides: All three will have a negative impact on the health of your soil microbes that are generating your complex carbons.
• Excess nitrogen: excessive nitrogen use will affect your bacteria fungi balance. Fast growing microbes excel in nitrogen rich soils, these microbes will consume carbon as an energy source, reducing your overall carbon levels.

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The easy way to think of it is

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Get this cycle down and you will start seeing the following benefits:

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Improved Soil Structure:

Increased levels of organic matter will improve soil structure. Roots hold soil particles together allowing for stronger aggregates to form.

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Improved Water Infiltration and Retention:

Better soil structure allows water to infiltrate more effectively, reducing runoff and erosion. Organic matter in Carbon Boost holds moisture like a sponge, increasing drought resilience.

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Reduced Waterlogging and Compaction:

Improved microbial activity and aggregate formation creates more pores in the soil, reducing waterlogging issues. Loose, well-structured soil is easier to work and allows for better root growth.