;void('');)
Carbon programs, carbon intensity, and sustainable farming have been hot topics in the biofuels industry for several years. From the halls of Washington, D.C. to the farm gate, policymakers and growers alike are working to better understand the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) and crop production. And while much of the conversation focuses on science, economics, and policy, one question is often overlooked:
What is the impact of carbon dioxide on crops and on the world?
More than any nutrient we apply with fertilizer, CO2 is the single most important input for our crops, our soils, and our environment.
Let’s start with the basics. We all learned in elementary school that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The retained carbon powers photosynthesis, builds plant tissue, and stores energy. Simple, right? This process makes plants the most efficient carbon capture system on Earth. A single acre of corn yielding 180 bushels per acre absorbs more than 20 tons of CO2 annually — and that figure increases with yield. Consider the world record corn yield of 623.84 bu/ac set by David Hula in 2023; that crop likely captured nearly 70 tons of CO2 per acre — enough to offset the annual tailpipe emissions of 11 cars with a single acre of corn.
Roughly two-thirds of that captured carbon is returned to the soil through roots and stover. While some CO2 is lost to the atmosphere as residues decompose, carbon-smart farming practices can maximize the amount sequestered in the soil. Planting cover crops increases the time living roots are in the ground, capturing additional CO2 and helping break down and mineralize existing CO2. Reducing tillage helps preserve soil structure and locks carbon below the surface, where it can be stored long-term.
Over time, organic carbon mineralizes into soil organic matter, which improves fertility, tilth, water-holding capacity, nutrient retention, and supports a thriving soil microbial community. These improvements can boost yields — leading to even greater carbon capture in the future. Since much of the carbon absorbed is from fossil fuels originally extracted from underground, these practices are a powerful tool for returning carbon to the earth.
The remaining third of the CO2 absorbed by the corn crop is stored in the grain. Whether it’s used for food, livestock feed, or biofuels, this carbon is an essential energy source for a growing world. Biofuels represent an especially efficient use: the carbon is converted into clean-burning renewable energy, and bioprocessing facilities are increasingly able to capture and either utilize or geologically store the CO2 released in the process.
Carbon-smart farming of crops for biofuels offers a one-two punch for carbon capture and sequestration, and it’s no surprise this has become a major focus in recent years. The effort to increase soil carbon represents a new frontier in American agriculture — and the biofuels industry is leading the charge.
At POET, we know our ag producers are among the world’s foremost stewards of the land, and we’re proud to work alongside you in this important mission.
