This research area aims to quantify trends in carbon and nutrient dynamics under sustainable compared to conventional arable management over three to four iterations of a six year crop rotation. We predict that sustainable management will result in increased soil carbon and nutrient retention, reduced nutrient leaching and reduced GHG emissions.

Measurements will include:

• CO₂ and NO_x emissions from the soil and from whole plants (using cover boxes)
• decomposition rates calculated from C3:C4 ratios (using C4 signature from maize grown in 2009 and 2010)
• total soil carbon, N and P
• nitrate and phosphate levels in soil water (using cup lysimeters).