The implementation of the FAO Carbon Protocol (GSOC-MRV) in the experimental farm of the Ural State Agrarian University

Abstract

The introduction of various methods of conservation and maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) reserves in soils is directly related to the active development of carbon trading markets, the evidence base for which is, in particular, the GSOC-MRV Protocol. This article presents the first results of the practice of implementing the carbon protocol on the territory of the educational farm of the Ural State Agrarian University. In particular, sites were selected to assess the carbon pool in soils under conventional agricultural production practices (BAU), as well as when implementing Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) practices. The first studies showed that as a result of applying the soil-protective agriculture practice in the form of sideration, 64 tons of Sorghum ha-1 for a layer of 0-10 cm and 48 tons for a layer of 10-20 cm were accumulated in 5 years on experimental plots. The approximate rate of soil organic carbon accumulation for the conditions of the Middle Urals when using sideral crops is about 11 carbon units per year. The work was carried out within the framework of the State Task of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, number FEUZ-2023-0023 Ural-Carbon project.