Plant influences on soil organic carbon dynamics

Plants play a central role in governing soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics, as a direct contributor, a mediator and fuel for microbial processing, and a regulator of soil physiochemical processes. The above processes may occur independently or interactively, sometimes inducing counteracting effects on SOC turnover or storage depending on the soil environment. In the pledge of promoting soil carbon sequestration for climate mitigation, elucidating plants’ influences on soil carbon storage and stability underpins an accurate assessment of soil carbon sink potentials and successful soil carbon management. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge in the composition, inputs and fate of plant-derived carbon in soils, highlights rhizosphere processes and mycorrhizal associations and discusses their influences on SOC decomposition and stabilization in different environments. Several key aspects are also listed that should be prioritized for future research in order to improve our understanding and utilization of the plant effects on soil carbon storage.