Temporal variability of soil property dynamics in a grazed pasture

Solomon K. Kariuki, Jackie L. Schroder, Hailin Zhang, Travis Hanks, Joshua M. McGrath, Mark E. Payton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The seasonal change in soil nutrients influences when producers can accurately sample fields for fertilization and compliance with environmental regulations. The objective of this study was to determine temporal variability of soil tests in a grazed pasture system. Soil samples were collected monthly from two different pastures analyzed for soil pH, plant-available nitrogen (NO3-N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Temporal variability did not exist for Mehlich 3 P and K during the study, but significant temporal variability was observed for the mobile nutrient NO3-N during the study. Similarly, significant temporal variability was found for soil pH during the study, but the differences were rather small and probably would not affect management decisions. The results of our study indicate sampling time had no significant effect on plant-available P and K and a small but significant effect on soil pH, but this is very important for NO3-N assessment when correct sampling protocols are followed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2744-2754
Number of pages11
JournalCommunications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Volume41
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Composite
  • Pasture
  • Sample
  • Sampling
  • Soil
  • Subsamples
  • Temporal
  • Variability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Soil Science

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