Effects of grazing and nitrogen-fertilizer on the soil microbial biomass under permanent pasture

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Bristow, A. W. and Jarvis, S. C. 1991. Effects of grazing and nitrogen-fertilizer on the soil microbial biomass under permanent pasture. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 54 (1), pp. 9-21. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740540103

AuthorsBristow, A. W. and Jarvis, S. C.
Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen in the soil microbial biomass were measured on eight occasions during a grassland production season, under swards of perennial ryegrass receiving 210 or 420 kg N ha-1 per year or of ryegrass/white clover receiving no fertiliser N. The swards were either cut or grazed at monthly intervals. Soil microbial biomass C increased under all treatments in late April before declining until late July and rising slowly towards the end of the season. Values for microbial C under cutting and grazing were not significantly different but were usually larger under grass/clover than under grass. In contrast, the smallest values for soil microbial biomass N were recorded in late April. Larger N values were again recorded under grass/clover, and although values were nearly always smaller under grazing than under the corresponding cut treatment the differences were not significant. Soil biomass N comprised a large reservoir of mobile N, and at any one time contained 11, 3 and 5 times more N than was present in the mineral N component of the soil, the standing crop or excretal returns, respectively. It did not appear to be responsive, within a season, to the considerable returns of C and N from grazing animals or to N fertiliser management.

KeywordsAgriculture, Multidisciplinary; Chemistry, Applied; Food Science & Technology
Year of Publication1991
JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Journal citation54 (1), pp. 9-21
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740540103
Open accessPublished as non-open access
ISSN00225142
0022-5142
PublisherWiley
Copyright licensePublisher copyright

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