Using 13C isotopic analysis to assess soil carbon pools associated with tile drainage management during drier and wetter growing seasons

•Due to field water drainage abatement effects, controlled tile drainage could potentially impact soil respiration.•The mean values of δ13C of total soil respiration were not statistically different (p>0.05) between four of the five controlled tile drained and uncontrolled tile drained field pairs.•The mean values of δ13C of total soil respiration were not statistically different (p>0.05) between over tile and between tile locations in four of the five control tile drained fields.•This lack of statistical difference in observed soil respiration, may have resulted from the drier and wetter seasonal conditions muting drainage management effects on surface soil water contents.