Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Kravchenko Lab

Professional background and research interests:

Researcher at the Brazilian Bio-renewables National Laboratory (LNBR) of the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) based in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Ricardo has comprehensive experience in research focused on soil carbon dynamics under different agricultural and land management systems. Equipped with research background in greenhouse gas accounting, carbon footprints of agricultural products, and life cycle analysis of agri-food supply chains also complemented his studies aiming to achieve a more sustainable agriculture. Over the past years, Ricardo had been coordinating research projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the sugarcane industry through adoption of land management strategies to maximize carbon sequestration and improve soil health. Recently, he had the opportunity to take the leadership in the utilization of the new fourth-generation synchrotron light source in Brazil as a powerful tool for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind carbon stabilization in tropical soils. Beginning in June 2022, Ricardo joined the Kravchenko’s Lab as a visiting research scholar to develop collaborative research using the latest advances in synchrotron-based X-ray tomography. His current research is focused on deciphering the interactions between soil structure, as represented by characteristics of soil pore network, and its influence on physical protection of sequestered carbon from long-term adoption of integrated agricultural systems in Brazilian soils.

Selected recent publications:

• Hesterberg, D., Ferreira, T.R., Bordonal, R.O., Souza Filho, L.F. (2022). Synchrotron Techniques for Assessing Soil Processes and Properties Related to Agricultural Challenges in Brazil. In: Souza, C.M.M., Cesar, F.R.C.F., Souza Filho, L.F., Silva, R.C. (Editors). Topics in Soil Science - Volume XI. 1st edition, Viçosa/MG: Brazilian Society of Soil Science (SBCS), v. XI, p. 7-74.
• Tenelli, S., Bordonal, R.O., Cherubin, M.R., Cerri, C.E.P., Carvalho, J.L.N. (2021). Multilocation changes in soil carbon stocks from sugarcane straw removal for bioenergy production in Brazil. Global Change Biology Bioenergy, v. 13, p. 1099-1111. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12832.
• Cherubin, M.R., Bordonal, R.O., Castioni, G.A., Guimarães, E.M., Lisboa, I.P., Moraes, L.A.A., Menandro, L.M.S., Tenelli, S., Cerri, C.E.P., Karlen, D.L., Carvalho, J.L.N. (2021). Soil health response to sugarcane straw removal in Brazil. Industrial Crops and Products, v. 163, p. 113315, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113315.
• Bordonal, R.O., Menandro, L.M.S., Barbosa, L.C., Lal, R., Milori, D.M.B.P., Kolln, O.T., Franco, H.C.J., Carvalho, J.L.N. (2018). Sugarcane yield and soil carbon response to straw removal in south-central Brazil. Geoderma, v. 328, p. 79-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.05.003.
• Bordonal, R.O., Carvalho, J.L.N., Lal, R., Figueiredo, E.B., Oliveira, B.G., La Scala, N. (2018). Sustainability of sugarcane production in Brazil. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, v. 38, p. 13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-018-0490-x.
• Bordonal, R.O., Lal, R., Ronquim, C.C., Figueiredo, E.B., Carvalho, J.L.N., Maldonado Jr., W., Milori, D.M.B.P., La Scala, N. (2017). Changes in quantity and quality of soil carbon due to the land-use conversion to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) plantation in southern Brazil. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, v. 240, p. 54-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.02.016.
• Bordonal, R.O., Lal, R., Aguiar, D.A., Figueiredo, E.B., Perillo, L.I., Adami, M., Rudorff, B.F.T., La Scala, N. (2015). Greenhouse gas balance from cultivation and direct land use change of recently established sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) plantation in south-central Brazil. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, v. 52, p. 547-556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.137.