Transforming Agriculture in Global Drylands by Adopting Negative Emission Technology and Restoring Soil Health

Lal, Rattan

doi:10.21608/ejss.2025.420628.2349

Transforming Agriculture in Global Drylands by Adopting Negative Emission Technology and Restoring Soil Health

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Rattan Lal

USA,

10.21608/ejss.2025.420628.2349

Abstract

Global drylands (GDLs), covering ~41.3% if the Earth’s land surface, have low soil moisture availability and soils are prone to degradation and desertification. Low agronomic yield of crops is attributed to harsh environments ,degraded/depleted soils, and limited water supply. Yet, upscaling of proven best management practices (BMPs), fine-tuned for soil/site-specific situation, can enhance productivity and promote sustainable agriculture. Soils of dryland ecosystems also have a large potential to sequester atmospheric CO2 as soil inorganic carbon (SIC)and soil organic carbon (SOC). In general, stock of SIC in GDLs is more than that of SOC. With upscaling of BMPs, GDLs can be transformed from being a source to a major sink of atmospheric CO2. Sequestration of SIC in drylands occurs through autotrophic microbial pathways, formation of secondary carbonates, and leaching of bicarbonates in irrigated ecosystems. Sequestration of SOC occurs through increasing input of biomass C, conserving soil and water, and decreasing risks of soil degradation and desertification. The rate and magnitude of sequestration of SOC and SIC can be increased through upscaling of BMPs including conservation agriculture, cover cropping, afforestation, and integration of crops with trees and livestock .Policies are needed at local, state and national level to promote adoption of BMPs through payments for ecosystem services and other incentive measures.

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