slylyvp/KernzaC: Data for Perennial grain Kernza® fields have higher particulate organic carbon at depth than annual grain fields

Data will be uploaded made available pending publication. Study Abstract Conversion from annual to perennial grains such as intermediate wheatgrass Kernza® could sequester soil organic carbon (SOC). To date, no studies have quantified SOC under Kernza on working farms. We sampled three sites with paired fields under annual grains and converted to Kernza 5-17 years ago to 100-cm and compared their SOC stocks as distributed between mineral-associated (MAOM) and particulate organic matter (POM). POM-C was higher under Kernza cultivation but total and MAOM-C were similar. Our findings suggest Kernza increases SOC at depth as POM. Further study is needed to assess whether this will result in long-term SOC sequestration.