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Comparative effects of annual and permanent dairy pastures on soil physical properties in the Tsitsikamma region of South Africa
Author(s) -
Milne R.M.,
Haynes R.J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
soil use and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.709
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1475-2743
pISSN - 0266-0032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-2743.2004.tb00340.x
Subject(s) - pasture , penetrometer , agronomy , subsoil , environmental science , bulk density , soil compaction , tillage , compaction , hydraulic conductivity , soil water , soil science , biology , geology , geotechnical engineering
. The effects of grazed, annual ryegrass pasture (annually tilled with a rotary cultivator) and permanent kikuyu pasture were compared with that of undisturbed native vegetation at four sites in the Tsitsikamma region, South Africa. Soil organic carbon content, aggregate stability, saturated hydraulic conductivity, air permeability, root length density and rooting depth were all less under ryegrass than kikuyu pasture. There was, however, no consistent effect of pasture‐type on pore size distribution or penetrometer resistance. Differences in penetrometer resistance were most obvious in the 10–30 cm layer with subsurface compaction being evident at some sites under both types of pasture. This was attributed to the treading effects of grazing cattle plus formation of a compacted layer at the depth of tillage under ryegrass pastures. Subsoil tillage of a ryegrass pasture resulted in a substantial reduction in penetrometer resistance in the compacted 10–20 cm layer and increases in hydraulic conductivity, air permeability, root length density and rooting depth. We conclude that conversion from conventional to zero tillage is a potential way of improving the sustainability of annual pasture production and that the extent of subsoil compaction under both pasture types needs further investigation.