Carbon and nitrogen stocks and soil organic matter stabilization in a tropical coffee agroecosystem: A 15-year study on phosphogypsum and brachiaria intercropping

Journal of Environmental Management 2026 Open access

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Authors: kaoutar boufous, Luís Carlos Colocho Hurtarte, Nicolas Gustavo da Cruz da Silva, Lílian Angélica Moreira, Malak Elmeknassi, Paulo Sérgio Pavinato, Luiz Antônio Martinelli, Matheus Sampaio Carneiro Barreto, Hudson Wallace Pereira de Carvalho
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130314
Cited by: 1
References: 63

Abstract

vegetation and tight C-N cycling. Using synchrotron-based micro-FTIR imaging, we observed that PG promoted greater spatial clustering of SOC functional groups and stronger organo-mineral associations with clay minerals, suggesting enhanced SOC stabilization. These findings suggest that stabilization occurred primarily through enhanced physical protection rather than shifts in carbon chemical composition and was increasingly associated with Ca-mediated binding. Our results show that combining a perennial cover crop with PG management enhances long-term soil carbon storage and nutrient cycling, while promoting SOC stabilization in tropical coffee agroecosystems.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy Agroforestry and silvopastoral systems

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Environmental Management
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
413
Pages
130314–130314
Publication date
30 June 2026
Language
EN