Changes to soil profile carbon and nutrient distribution following pasture renewal with full inversion tillage
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Date
2024-07-18
Open Access Location
Authors
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Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Rights
(c) 2024 The Author/s
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Abstract
Full inversion tillage (FIT) at pasture renewal is a management option aiming to increase carbon stocks in long-term pasture, to achieve carbon neutrality. This study investigated the effects of FIT on carbon and nutrient distribution in the soil profile (0–7.5, 7.5–15, 15–22.5 and 22.5–30 cm depths) as well as nutrient uptake, and subsequent fodder crop and/or pasture yields across three pasture renewal trials (Trials 1 and 3: Alfisol; Trial 2: Andisol). These effects of FIT were assessed against standard tillage treatments (no till, shallow till), and non-renewed pasture within 8–18 months post-tillage. FIT changed soil carbon stratification, causing 16%–46% reduction in topsoil (0–7.5 cm) cation exchange capacity across the three trials. However, nutrient levels after FIT remained within recommended ranges for crop and/or pasture growth, avoiding any yield reductions. Topsoil fertility post-FIT depended on original degree of nutrient stratification in the soil profile. At Trial 1, temporary deficiencies caused by low subsoil P and K soil tests pre-FIT were anticipated and corrected with fertiliser nutrients for the following break crop and resown pasture. We conclude that soil testing the cultivation depth prior to FIT at pasture renewal provides the necessary soil test information to manage yield expectations.
Description
Keywords
Deep tillage, soil fertility, soil test value, nutrient stratification, Andisol, Alfisol
Citation
Amanor YJ, Hanly JA, Calvelo-Pereira R, Hedley MJ. (2024). Changes to soil profile carbon and nutrient distribution following pasture renewal with full inversion tillage. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. Ahead of Print.