Impact of grazing management on soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur distribution
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Authors: B. W. Mathews, L. E. Sollenberger, V. D. Nair, and C. R. Staples
Date: 1994
Journal: Journal of Environmental Quality
Volume: 23
Number:
Pages: 1006-1013
Summary of Methods: During 1990 and 1991, 'Callie' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon var. aridus) pastures grazed by cattle were used to determine the effects of two rotational stocking methods and continuous stocking on lateral and vertical distribution of extractable N, P, K, and S. Nutrient distribution and concentration in the Ap1 horizon did not differ among grazing methods, but N, P, and K accumulated in the third of the pastures closest to shade, water sources, and supplement feeders. Nutrient concentrations were lower or tended to be lower in the Ap1 horizon of the hay management than in grazed pastures because of nutrient removal in harvested herbage. Further, total phosphorous in surface water exceeded target concentrations for flatwood soils by 2 to 7 times, partly in response to supplemental feeding. This study suggests that grazing method of well-managed pastures may have little effect on short-term soil nutrient distribution, especially when grazing occurs during months when temperatures are high.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: soil nutrients, soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, defoliation management, grazing
Annotation: Defoliation management were 1) rotational-short ( 15 paddocks with cattle moved to a new paddock every 1.5 to 2.5 days); target stubble height of 15 cm, 2) rotational-long (3 paddocks with cattle moved to a new paddock every 10- 14 days); target postgraze stubble height= 15 cm, 3) continuous stocking (stocked at the same rate as the rotational-long system with bermudagrass, and 4) a hay system (defoliated 4 times each year by mowing to a stubble height of 8 to 10 cm every 36 to 42 days depending on herbage growth). Grazed pastures were 0.3 ha and hay plots were 0.1 ha.,Grazing seasons were June 11 through October 4, 1990 and May 1 through September 1991.
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