New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Effect of subsoiling on soil physical properties and pasture production on a
Pallic Soil in Southland, New Zealand
J. J. DREWRY
AgResearch
C/- Soil and Physical Sciences Group
Soil, Plant and Ecological Sciences Division
P.O. Box 84
Lincoln University
Canterbury, New Zealand
J. A. H. LOWE
Otago Regional Council
Private Bag
Dunedin, New Zealand
R. J. PATON
AgResearch
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand
Abstract This three-year study examined the effects on soil
physical properties and ryegrass-white clover pasture production of subsoiling
in a Pukemutu silt loam (Pallic Soil). A range of soil physical properties were
measured in 6-cm incremental depths to 30 cm. Subsoiling loosened the topsoil
by pulling conventional tines and winged tines, 50 cm apart through the soil at
a depth of 25-30 cm. Subsoiling increased macroporosity by up to 27% of the
soil volume, and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity and air
permeability by up to two orders of magnitude. Improvements in soil physical
conditions were evident up to 2.5 years after subsoiling at 18-24 cm, although
recompaction and settling had occurred in the upper 18 cm of the soil profile.
For the majority of the trial, there was no significant improvement in pasture
production in subsoiled treatments. Pasture dry matter was significantly
reduced (by 39%) during a dry summer period following winged subsoiling, mainly
due to moisture stress.
Keywords compaction; Southland; treading; subsoiling; soil
physical properties; macroporosity
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 2000, Vol. 43: 269-277
0028-8233/00/4302-0269 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
2000
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