Author:
Cotching W. E.,Cooper J.,Sparrow L. A.,McCorkell B. E.,Rowley W.
Abstract
Attributes of 25 Tasmanian sodosols were assessed using field and laboratory
techniques to determine changes associated with 4 typical forms of
agricultural management [long-term pasture, cropping with shallow
tillage using discs and tines, cropping (including potatoes) with more
rigorous and deeper tillage including deep ripping and powered implements, and
cropping (including potatoes) where the potatoes were harvested when the soil
was wet]. Soil organic carbon in the top 150 mm was 2.7% under
long-term pasture compared with 1.8% in rigorously tilled cropping
paddocks, and microbial biomass C values were 194 and 129 mg/kg,
respectively. Readily oxidisable organic C concentrations were 1.8 mg/g
and 1.3 mg/g, respectively. Infiltration rate was greater in paddocks with
shallow tillage cropping than long-term pasture but was 43% less in
paddocks which had grown potatoes and 70% less after a wet potato
harvest. Dry aggregate-size showed no change under shallow tillage cropping
compared with long-term pasture but decreased significantly in more rigorously
tilled potato cropping paddocks. Aggregate stability in all cropped paddocks
was nearly 50% less than in long-term pasture paddocks, with values in
intensively tilled potato cropping paddocks approaching relatively low levels.
Colwell extractable phosphorus (P) increased with all cropping, particularly
after potatoes. Lower organic carbon and poorer physical properties were
associated with paddocks which had grown potatoes, which adds weight to the
view that cropping rotation and associated soil management practices are
critical for sustainable management of Tasmanian sodosols. Farmers were
surveyed about their views of the condition of their paddocks. They identified
more healthy than unhealthy soil attributes under all management histories but
reported more unhealthy soil attributes when potatoes were included in their
rotation.
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes,Soil Science,Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Cited by
26 articles.
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