Arid Land Carbon Accumulation Project (ALCAP)
Injekta Pty Ltd began the project in 2008 with the aim of demonstrating that root growth and rhizosphere microbial activity is the most environmentally efficient and cost effective way to build soil carbon in agricultural soils. This project currently involves around 40 broadacre cereal and legume producers over 50 000 ha of farming land across southern Australia. The overall aim of the program is to increase the profitability of farming systems by improving the efficiency and activity of the root zone. Specific fertilisers and nutrient amendments are applied to stimulate microbial activity in the root zone - application is tailored to each soil type and specific farming system. As root growth and microbial activity is enhanced, carbon begins to accumulate in the soil. Increasing soil carbon has immediate benefits for agricultural production but can also have long term benefits for carbon sequestration. Trial results to date indicate that carbon can be accumulated by farmers in their soils in a cost effective and productive way. Data collection is still ongoing and includes measures of: - rhizodeposition of carbon (volume and rate) - rootzone enzymatic capacity and soil productivity functions - levels of plant internal accumulated carbon reserves - carbon levels relative to crop yield and grain quality - carbon levels relative to microbial function and soil quality. For more information on the project, contact Injekta Pty Ltd.