The Science of Soil Carbon: How Farming Can Save the Planet
Dr. Arun Kumar
8 February 2025 · 10 min read
Soil contains more carbon than the atmosphere and all vegetation combined. For millennia, agriculture has been a net source of emissions—tillage, synthetic fertilizers, and monocultures have depleted soil organic matter. But the reverse is possible: farming practices that build soil carbon can turn agriculture into a carbon sink.
The Soil Carbon Cycle
Plants absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis. A portion is transferred to roots and exuded into the soil as sugars, feeding microbes. Those microbes build stable soil organic carbon—humus—that can persist for decades. The key is minimizing disturbance and maximizing living roots.
Every 1% increase in soil organic matter can hold an additional 20,000 litres of water per hectare.
Regenerative Practices That Work
No-till farming, cover cropping, diverse crop rotations, and integrated livestock all contribute to soil carbon building. In India, practices like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and natural farming are showing promising results.
Measurement and Verification
Soil carbon is measured through core sampling and lab analysis. Industry standards like Verra's VCS and Gold Standard have published methodologies for soil carbon projects. The challenge is cost—remote sensing and modelling are emerging to scale measurement.
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Dr. Arun Kumar
Soil Scientist
PhD in soil biogeochemistry. 15 years researching carbon sequestration in Indian agricultural systems.
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