Grassland soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under temperate livestock grazing
Junfang Cui A B C , Mohammad Sadegh Askari B and Nicholas M. Holden B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China 610041.
B School of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
C Corresponding author. Email: jfcui@imde.ac.cn
Soil Research 53(5) 485-493 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR14252
Submitted: 9 September 2014 Accepted: 8 February 2015 Published: 30 June 2015
Abstract
Sustainable grassland management is critical to many agricultural economies because of the significant proportion of agricultural commodities derived from grass-fed livestock (milk and meat). Mismanagement will result in a cycle of soil quality deterioration and reduced productivity. This study estimated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in relation to grazing management in Ireland, with a focus on understanding the role of management intensity derived from the interaction of stocking rate, N fertiliser rate and reseeding frequency. Soil samples were taken from depths 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm. Soil physical properties, C and N concentrations, and microbial biomass C were measured. Significant increases in C and N concentrations were observed along the texture gradient: sandy loam < loam < sandy clay loam < clay loam < silty clay loam. However, there was little difference in C and N stock according to soil texture class. Soil with 10–20-year-old grass sward contained the lowest soil C and N content, indicating that proper reseeding is necessary to maintain soil C and N storage capacity. Increased chemical N fertiliser rate did not cause changes of soil C and N content, whereas intensified stocking rate caused great changes in soil C and N content by re-locating soil C and N at depth. Moderately intensive management was associated with significantly lower C and N stocks, and highly intensive management was associated with greater capacity of soil C and N, but no interaction between texture and management intensity was found.
Additional keywords: C and N density, grassland, livestock grazing.
References
Angers DA, Arrouays D, Saby NPA, Walter C (2011) Estimating and mapping the carbon saturation deficit of French agricultural topsoils. Soil Use and Management 27, 448–452.| Estimating and mapping the carbon saturation deficit of French agricultural topsoils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baron VS, Mapfumo E, Dick AC, Naeth MA, Okine EK, Chanasyk DS (2002) Grazing intensity impacts on pasture carbon and nitrogen flow. Journal of Range Management 55, 535–541.
| Grazing intensity impacts on pasture carbon and nitrogen flow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Batjes NH (1996) Total carbon and nitrogen in the soils of the world. European Journal of Soil Science 47, 151–163.
| Total carbon and nitrogen in the soils of the world.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlslKnsLo%3D&md5=a2786e895c293a9042a089ab19c1262aCAS |
Blake GR, Hartge KH (1986) Bulk density. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical methods’. Agronomy 9. (Ed. A Klute) pp. 364–367. (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI, USA)
Boucneau G, Van Meirvenne M, Hofman G (1998) Comparing pedotransfer functions to estimate soil bulk density in northern Belgium. Pedologie Themata 5, 67–70.
Brereton AJ (1995) Regional and year to year variation in production. In ‘Irish grasslands—their biology and management’. (Eds DW Jeffrey, MB Jones, JH McAdam) pp. 12–22. (Royal Irish Academy: Dublin, Ireland)
Brookes PC, Landman A, Pruden G, Jenkinson DS (1985) Chloroform fumigation and the release of soil nitrogen: a rapid direct extraction method for measuring microbial biomass nitrogen in soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 17, 837–842.
| Chloroform fumigation and the release of soil nitrogen: a rapid direct extraction method for measuring microbial biomass nitrogen in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL28XhvFSgug%3D%3D&md5=715a95258575a41ed1a44057d763c156CAS |
Capriel P (2013) Trends in organic carbon and nitrogen contents in agricultural soils in Bavaria (south Germany) between 1986 and 2007. European Journal of Soil Science 64, 445–454.
| Trends in organic carbon and nitrogen contents in agricultural soils in Bavaria (south Germany) between 1986 and 2007.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtFClsrvM&md5=7af1e75e246a2ab01bd57dd4f2b963e9CAS |
Chapman SJ, Bell JS, Campbell CD, Hudson G, Lilly A, Nolan AJ, Robertson AHJ, Potts JM, Towers W (2013) Comparison of soil carbon stocks in Scottish soils between 1978 and 2009. European Journal of Soil Science 64, 455–465.
| Comparison of soil carbon stocks in Scottish soils between 1978 and 2009.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtFClsrvE&md5=11d3c8185c8a4cde7e48e08d60cf40afCAS |
Cui J, Askari MS, Holden NM (2014) Visual evaluation of soil structure under grassland management. Soil Use and Management 30, 129–138.
| Visual evaluation of soil structure under grassland management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DAFF (2010) ‘Food Harvest 2020—A vision for Irish Agri-food and Fisheries.’ pp. 37–44. (DAFF: Dublin, Ireland)
De Vos B, Van Meirvenne M, Quataert P, Deckers J, Muys B (2005) Predictive quality of pedotransfer functions for estimating bulk density of forest soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 69, 500–510.
| Predictive quality of pedotransfer functions for estimating bulk density of forest soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXivFCrsr8%3D&md5=600cbe863946f8f782265c6603111135CAS |
Eaton JM, McGoff NM, Byrne KA, Leahy P, Kiely G (2008) Land cover change and soil organic carbon stocks in the Republic of Ireland 1851–2000. Climatic Change 91, 317–334.
| Land cover change and soil organic carbon stocks in the Republic of Ireland 1851–2000.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtlOktrrE&md5=00034d3d3270f374f6549ab2fc81befcCAS |
Eurostat (2013a) ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics Pocketbooks.’ 2013 edn (Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg)
Eurostat (2013b) ‘Structure of agricultural holdings by regions—main indicators.’ 13-03 edn (Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg)
Fitzgerald JB, Brereton AJ, Holden NM (2008) Simulation of the influence of poor soil drainage on grass-based dairy production systems in Ireland. Grass and Forage Science 63, 380–389.
| Simulation of the influence of poor soil drainage on grass-based dairy production systems in Ireland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frank AB (2002) Carbon dioxide fluxes over a grazed prairie and seeded pasture in the Northern Great Plains. Environmental Pollution 116, 397–403.
| Carbon dioxide fluxes over a grazed prairie and seeded pasture in the Northern Great Plains.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXovVersbg%3D&md5=515048428f2ec3b165570d91f7ed2c0bCAS | 11822718PubMed |
Gardiner MJ, Radford T (1980) ‘Soil Associations of Ireland and their land use potential.’ (An Foras Taluntais: Dublin, Ireland)
Gee GW, Or D (2002) Particle size analysis. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 4: Physical methods’. Soil Science Society of America Book Series. (Eds JH Dane, GC Topp) pp. 272–280. (SSSA: Madison, WI, USA)
Hassink J (1997) The capacity of soils to preserve organic C and N by their association with clay and silt particles. Plant and Soil 191, 77–87.
| The capacity of soils to preserve organic C and N by their association with clay and silt particles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXltVKju7g%3D&md5=d4a44618a8634d90a894f97f397f40e4CAS |
Hauggaard-Nielsen H, Johansen A, Carter MS, Ambus P, Jensen ES (2013) Annual maize and perennial grass-clover strip cropping for increased resource use efficiency and productivity using organic farming practice as a model. European Journal of Agronomy 47, 55–64.
| Annual maize and perennial grass-clover strip cropping for increased resource use efficiency and productivity using organic farming practice as a model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Haynes RJ (1999) Labile organic matter fractions and aggregate stability under short-term, grass-based leys. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 31, 1821–1830.
| Labile organic matter fractions and aggregate stability under short-term, grass-based leys.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmslGjtL0%3D&md5=b296f08a5d7ee554a349b91e27bf8c06CAS |
Herbin T, Hennessy D, Richards KG, Piwowarczyk A, Murphy JJ, Holden NM (2011) The effects of dairy cow weight on selected soil physical properties indicative of compaction. Soil Use and Management 27, 36–44.
| The effects of dairy cow weight on selected soil physical properties indicative of compaction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hopkins DW, Waite IS, O’Donnell AG (2011) Microbial biomass, organic matter mineralization and nitrogen in soils from long-term experimental grassland plots (Palace Leas meadow hay plots, UK). European Journal of Soil Science 62, 95–104.
| Microbial biomass, organic matter mineralization and nitrogen in soils from long-term experimental grassland plots (Palace Leas meadow hay plots, UK).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXisVGgt7w%3D&md5=2c70894a30131f4e8a6272216880e020CAS |
Huang M, Ji J, Deng F, Yang F (2014) Impacts of extreme precipitation on tree plantation carbon cycle. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 115, 655–665.
| Impacts of extreme precipitation on tree plantation carbon cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphreys J, Lawless A (2006) ‘A guide to management of white clover in grassland.’ Teagasc, No. Series No. 3. (Moorepark, Fermoy, Co.: Cork, Ireland)
Jindaluang W, Kheoruenromne I, Suddhiprakarn A, Singh BP, Singh B (2013) Influence of soil texture and mineralogy on organic matter content and composition in physically separated fractions soils of Thailand. Geoderma 195–196, 207–219.
| Influence of soil texture and mineralogy on organic matter content and composition in physically separated fractions soils of Thailand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jobbágy EG, Jackson RB (2000) The vertical distribution of soil organic carbon and its relation to climate and vegetation. Ecological Applications 10, 423–436.
| The vertical distribution of soil organic carbon and its relation to climate and vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kaur R, Kumar S, Gurung HP (2002) A pedo-transfer function (PTF) for estimating soil bulk density from basic soil data and its comparison with existing PTFs. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 847–857.
| A pedo-transfer function (PTF) for estimating soil bulk density from basic soil data and its comparison with existing PTFs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Khalil MI, Kiely G, O’Brien P, Müller C (2013) Organic carbon stocks in agricultural soils in Ireland using combined empirical and GIS approaches. Geoderma 193–194, 222–235.
| Organic carbon stocks in agricultural soils in Ireland using combined empirical and GIS approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kiely G, McGoff NM, Eaton JM, Xu X, Leahy P, Carton O (2010) ‘SoilC, measurement and modelling of soil carbon stocks and stock changes in Irish soils.’ (EPA: Wexford, Ireland)
Kögel-Knabner I, Guggenberger G, Kleber M, Kandeler E, Kalbitz K, Scheu S, Eusterhues K, Leinweber P (2008) Organo-mineral associations in temperate soils: Integrating biology, mineralogy, and organic matter chemistry. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 171, 61–82.
| Organo-mineral associations in temperate soils: Integrating biology, mineralogy, and organic matter chemistry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lalor STJ, Coulter BS, Quinlan G, Connolly L (2010) ‘A survey of fertilizer use in Ireland from 2004-2008 for grassland and arable crops.’ (Teagasc, Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre: Wexford, Ireland)
Läpple D, Hennessy T (2012) The capacity to expand milk production in Ireland following the removal of milk quotas. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 51, 1–11.
Ledgard S, Schils R, Eriksen J, Luo J (2009) Environmental impacts of grazed clover/grass pastures. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 48, 209–226.
Leifeld J, Fuhrer J (2009) Long-term management effects on soil organic matter in two cold, high-elevation grasslands: clues from fractionation and radiocarbon dating. European Journal of Soil Science 60, 230–239.
| Long-term management effects on soil organic matter in two cold, high-elevation grasslands: clues from fractionation and radiocarbon dating.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXkvVWntbk%3D&md5=1eed1412df6b7704889d5b2caa582108CAS |
Maquere V, Laclau JP, Bernoux M, Saint-Andre L, Gonçalves JLM, Cerri CC, Piccolo MC, Ranger J (2008) Influence of land use (savanna, pasture, Eucalyptus plantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil. European Journal of Soil Science 59, 863–877.
| Influence of land use (savanna, pasture, Eucalyptus plantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1OmsbnK&md5=d11c54c2ae6ca9cf510cd62f82dae530CAS |
Martens DA (2000) Plant residue biochemistry regulates soil carbon cycling and carbon sequestration. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 361–369.
| Plant residue biochemistry regulates soil carbon cycling and carbon sequestration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXhs1Smt7o%3D&md5=26f0354137f61c9a2782e91b556da627CAS |
McCarthy B, Delaby L, Pierce KM, Brennan A, Horan B (2013) The effect of stocking rate and calving date on milk production of Holstein–Friesian dairy cows. Livestock Science 153, 123–134.
| The effect of stocking rate and calving date on milk production of Holstein–Friesian dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nanko K, Ugawa S, Hashimoto S, Imaya A, Kobayashi M, Sakai H, Ishizuka S, Miura S, Tanaka N, Takahashi M, Kaneko S (2014) A pedotransfer function for estimating bulk density of forest soil in Japan affected by volcanic ash. Geoderma 213, 36–45.
| A pedotransfer function for estimating bulk density of forest soil in Japan affected by volcanic ash.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons AJ, Leafe EL, Collett B, Penning PD, Lewis J (1983) The physiology of grass production under grazing. II. Photosynthesis, crop growth and animal intake of continuously-grazed swards. Journal of Applied Ecology 20, 127–139.
| The physiology of grass production under grazing. II. Photosynthesis, crop growth and animal intake of continuously-grazed swards.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Piñeiro G, Paruelo JM, Oesterheld M, Jobbágy EG (2010) Pathways of grazing effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen. Rangeland Ecology and Management 63, 109–119.
| Pathways of grazing effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Plaza C, Courtier-Murias D, Fernández JM, Polo A, Simpson AJ (2013) Physical, chemical, and biochemical mechanisms of soil organic matter stabilization under conservation tillage systems: A central role for microbes and microbial by-products in C sequestration. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 57, 124–134.
| Physical, chemical, and biochemical mechanisms of soil organic matter stabilization under conservation tillage systems: A central role for microbes and microbial by-products in C sequestration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXitVGmu70%3D&md5=a47417fab5d538292a8479240e86ddfaCAS |
Reichstein M, Bahn M, Ciais P, Frank D, Mahecha MD, Seneviratne SI, Zscheischler J, Beer C, Buchmann N, Frank DC, Papale D, Rammig A, Smith P, Thonicke K, van der Velde M, Vicca S, Walz A, Wattenbach M (2013) Climate extremes and the carbon cycle. Nature 500, 287–295.
| Climate extremes and the carbon cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXht1Oqu73J&md5=bf714c0cf867039b435e2ecb6e4f017cCAS | 23955228PubMed |
Saiz G, Bird MI, Domingues T, Schrodt F, Schwarz M, Feldpausch TR, Veenendaal E, Djagbletey G, Hien F, Compaore H, Diallo A, Lloyd J (2012) Variation in soil carbon stocks and their determinants across a precipitation gradient in West Africa. Global Change Biology 18, 1670–1683.
| Variation in soil carbon stocks and their determinants across a precipitation gradient in West Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schuman GE, Reeder JD, Manley JT, Hart RH, Manley WA (1999) Impact of grazing management on the carbon and nitrogen balance of a mixed-grass rangeland. Ecological Applications 9, 65–71.
| Impact of grazing management on the carbon and nitrogen balance of a mixed-grass rangeland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shalloo L, Creighton P, O’Donovan M (2010) Reseeding. A cost or an opportunity. In ‘Grasses for the Future International Conference’. pp. 139–151. (Teagasc: Fermoy, Ireland)
Sievänen R, Salminen O, Lehtonen A, Ojanen P, Liski J, Ruosteenoja K, Tuomi M (2014) Carbon stock changes of forest land in Finland under different levels of wood use and climate change. Annals of Forest Science 71, 255–265.
| Carbon stock changes of forest land in Finland under different levels of wood use and climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soil Survey Staff (2010) ‘Keys to Soil Taxonomy.’ 11th edn. USDA, National Resources Conservation Services. (National Soil Survey Center: Lincoln, NE, USA)
Soussana JF, Loiseau P, Vuichard N (2004) Carbon cycling and sequestration opportunities in temperate grasslands. Soil Use and Management 20, 219–230.
| Carbon cycling and sequestration opportunities in temperate grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tan Z, Liu S (2013) Baseline-dependent responses of soil organic carbon dynamics to climate and land disturbances. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2013, 206758
Teagasc (2011) ‘Agriculture in Ireland.’ (Teagasc: Fermoy, Ireland)
Woodcock NH (1994) ‘Geology and the environment in Britain and Ireland.’ (University College London: London)
Xu X, Liu W, Zhang C, Kiely G (2011) Estimation of soil organic carbon stock and its spatial distribution in the Republic of Ireland. Soil Use and Management 27, 156–162.
Zhang Z-H, Li X-Y, Jiang Z-Y, Peng H-Y, Li L, Zhao G-Q (2013) Changes in some soil properties induced by re-conversion of cropland into grassland in the semiarid steppe zone of Inner Mongolia, China. Plant and Soil 373, 89–106.
| Changes in some soil properties induced by re-conversion of cropland into grassland in the semiarid steppe zone of Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXpt12ht70%3D&md5=61d8f185d6499eee726a5b962f0c35acCAS |
