We evaluatedpermanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) as a rapid test for identifying soils where improved organic matter management could improve soil function. At three sites, pairs of fields with similar soils but contrasting management history (cropped vs. sod) were studied. Fields historically in sod had higher initial total organic C (TOC) and POXC than historically cropped fields. Two cover crop treatments (rye and no cover) were applied within fields. We examined responses to rye treatment within management history for water stable aggregates (WSA), mineralizable C (C_min), mineralizable nitrogen (N_min)_, and Year 2 POXC. Rye treatment had significant positive effects on C_min, N_min, WSA, and Year 2 POXC. Across all sites, historically cropped fields had significantly greater responses to rye in N_min, WSA, and Year 2 POXC. Every parameter showed a significantly greater response to rye in historically cropped fields within at least one site. Significant responses were negatively correlated to initial TOC and initial POXC, indicating greater responses where initial soil C tested lower. Initial TOC and POXC were similarly related to responses, but the POXC method is rapid and simple, requires less expensive equipment, and can be carried out in the field, making it a practical alternative, or complement, to TOC in soil health assessment. Use of POXC could facilitate identification of soils where improved soil organic matter management could sequester soil C and improve soil functioning.

中文翻译：

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高锰酸盐可氧化碳能否预测土壤功能对土壤有机质管理的响应？

我们评估了高锰酸盐可氧化碳 (POXC) 作为识别土壤的快速测试，其中改善有机质管理可以改善土壤功能。在三个地点，研究了土壤相似但管理历史不同（作物与草皮）的成对田地。历史上草皮田地的初始总有机碳 (TOC) 和 POXC 高于历史上种植的田地。在田间施用两种覆盖作物处理（黑麦和无覆盖）。我们检查到黑麦治疗反应为水稳定的聚集体（WSA），矿化C（C管理历史内_分钟），矿化氮（N_分钟）_，和第2年POXC。黑麦处理对C _min , N _min有显着的正向影响、WSA 和第 2 年 POXC。在所有地点，历史上种植的田地在 N _min、WSA 和第 2 年 POXC 中对黑麦的反应明显更大。在至少一个地点的历史上种植的田地中，每个参数都显示出对黑麦的明显更大的反应。显着响应与初始 TOC 和初始 POXC 呈负相关，表明初始土壤 C 测试较低时响应更大。初始 TOC 和 POXC 与响应类似，但 POXC 方法快速简单，所需设备较便宜，并且可以在现场进行，使其成为土壤健康评估中 TOC 的实用替代或补充。使用 POXC 可以促进土壤的识别，其中改善土壤有机质管理可以隔离土壤碳并改善土壤功能。