Increasing root biomass derived carbon input to agricultural soils by genotype selection – a review

Abstract Background and aims Soil carbon sequestration can play an important role in mitigating climate change. Higher organic C inputs to agricultural soils are needed order increase soil (SOC) stocks. Genotype selection breeding towards increased root biomass may enhance the could therefore be a promising, easy-to-implement management option for potentially increasing sequestration. However, compromise yield, which is not desirable terms of food security. Methods Data from 13 global studies with field experiments were compiled estimate potential optimised genotype enhancing without compromising yield winter wheat, spring silage maize, rapeseed sunflower. A lack data on effect variety rhizodeposition was identified thus had excluded. Results Systematic mean yields by 52% 22% across all crops sites. median 6.7% 6.8% rapeseed, 12.2% 21.6% wheat 26.4% sunflower would possible reduction. Conclusion Overall, this review demonstrates that win-win input while maintaining or even yield.