New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Effects of subsoil loosening on soil physical properties, plant root growth, and pasture yield

D. F. HARRISON
K. C. CAMERON¹
R. G. McLAREN

Department of Soil Science
Lincoln University
P. O. Box 84
Lincoln, New Zealand

Abstract  Subsoil loosening of an 8-year-old dryland pasture soil (Templeton silt loam) at either of two depths (27 or 47 cm) resulted in a significant (P < 0.1) decrease (>10%) in soil bulk density and a concomitant increase in soil porosity compared with undisturbed soil. The hydraulic conductivity of the loosened soil was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of the undisturbed soil, reflecting the increased pore continuity within the depth of loosening. These more rapid drainage rates resulted in a drier soil profile at the start of spring, 10 months after subsoil loosening. These improved soil physical conditions permitted more rapid root growth and the development of a more extensive pasture root system with a significantly (P < 0.1) greater (36%) root length below 30 cm depth. Subsoil loosening resulted in significant increases in pasture production over the first 3 months of spring (August-October).

Keywords  subsoiling; pasture; bulk density; porosity; hydraulic conductivity; drainage; roots; yield

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1994, Vol. 37: 559-567

0028-8233/94/3704-0559 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1994

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (624K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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