line 2000 SOC stocks NT, CP and MP with cover crops sequestered SOC in root zone.
To determine whether SOC sequestration has occurred, it is critical that researchers establish the baseline
SOC stock prior to any treatment applications including cover crops. NT, CP and MP treatments with cover
crops did sequester and maintained more SOC stock above the 2000 pre-treatment baseline levels. The SOC
gains from cover crops were equal to or more than any loss from any disturbance or mixing during planting, nitrogen
injection in corn years and erosion during corn and soybean production. SOC sequestration occurred in
root zone (0 - 75 cm) for all of the tillage treatments with cover crops which were compared with 2000
pre-treatment SOC stock levels (baseline) which validated the findings