The influence of agricultural tillage practices on soil carbon sequestration

Agricultural activity has historically and continues to contribute to climate change, necessitating significant changes in crop production technologies to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in soils. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of different agricultural practices on soil carbon sequestration and their implications for climate change mitigation. The effects of conventional tillage and two conservation systems—no-till and strip-till—on soil properties were analysed from a climate perspective. The results demonstrated that reduced tillage systems, particularly no-till, increased total organic carbon (TOC) content and organic carbon lability (L) compared to conventional cultivation. Crop type significantly influenced TOC levels, increasing in the order: sugar beet < maize < winter wheat < winter rape. Soil quality indicators, including the carbon pool index (CPI), carbon management index (CMI), and lability index (LI), followed similar trends to TOC and L. Higher indicator values in no-till and strip-till systems confirm the benefits of conservation agriculture for improving soil quality and enhancing carbon storage, thereby supporting climate change mitigation strategies.