Deeply-rooted Crops as a Means for Enhanced Reduction of Atmospheric Carbon Levels

A scientist from the University of Manchester (United Kingdom) showed that the planting of deeply-rooted crops (one meter or longer) can reduce atmospheric carbon (dioxide) levels,while reaping other environmental benefits.

According to Professor Douglas Kell, the soil represents a big carbon reservoir, which can take-in twice as much carbon as the atmosphere does. "However,present estimates of the carbon sequestration potential of soils are based more on what is happening now than what might be changed by active agricultural intervention, and tend to concentrate only on the first meter of soil depth". Thus, the cultivation of deeply-rooted crops can maximize the soil's carbon-sequestration capability.

In addition to carbon-reduction, other benefits of breeding/cultivating deeply-rooted crops include: (1) improvement of soil structure, (2) improvement in water and nutrient retention, (3) sustainability of plant yields. Professor Kell is reportedly the first to explore the environmental benefits of harnessing deeply-rooted crops for enhancing atmospheric carbon sequestration. He also provided a "carbon calculator that can show the potential benefits of crops burrowed deeply on the ground". The study can stimulate research activities which focus on solutions for climate-change. From a biofuels point of view, the sustainability of a particular bioenergy crop can be enhanced if it can thrive on marginal land, while simultaneously having a root system which extends one meter or more. Professor Kell's paper appears in the journal,Annals of Botany (URL above).