Restricting depletion of soil organic carbon by amending nutrient‐N input to soils

For reducing soil carbon (C) depletion and increasing its stocks in soil through sequestration, it is necessary to develop identification, standardization, and adoption of some effective nutrient management practices, especially related to nitrogen management. In this study, various modes of N input were tried and the best mode (MRPU‐2S, i.e., mid‐rib placement upper to corms in two splits) that restricted SOC depletion and kept SOC above a threshold level of 1%, was suggested as suitable for saffron (Crocus sativus) cultivation in temperate soils. Under this treatment a significantly higher yield (1.92 kg ha−1) as well as more apocarotenoids (crocin and safranal) content, was noticed. Threshold values of surface SOC stock (26.64 Mg ha−1) above which C sequestration values moved to a positive coordinate plane were noted. Through this investigation, we identified a great C sequestration potential for MRPU‐2S treatment for improving declining SOC stocks in saffron growing soils of temperate regions. Although the our study has been carried out in saffron growing soils of a temperate region the outcomes and recommendations generated are probably applicable for other crops, soils and climates too.