New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Effect of treading by dairy cattle on topsoil physical conditions for six
contrasting soil types in Waikato and Northland, New Zealand, with implications
for monitoring
P. L. SINGLETON
M. BOYES
B. ADDISON
AgResearch Ruakura
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand
Abstract A study of the physical condition of soils under
dairying in the Waikato and Northland regions was undertaken to determine the
physical condition of the soil, possible changes from pugging damage, and the
most appropriate measurements and sampling regimes for monitoring change.
Sites were selected on widespread soil types (Allophanic and Gley Soils in the
Waikato; Allophanic, Ultic, and Podzol Soils in Northland) and corresponded to
never trodden, usual usage or conditions, and previously pugged (>18 months
ago) pasture. Soil cores were collected at 50-mm depth increments for
determination of bulk density, total porosity, saturated and unsaturated
hydraulic conductivity, proportion of pores greater than 30 and 60 um, and
aggregate size class.
The 0-100-mm depth was best for showing differences between treading regimes.
Within this depth, hydraulic conductivity and aggregate size showed the
greatest differences between regimes. All measurements were useful for showing
differences in the Waikato data. However, for Northland, bulk density, total
porosity, and proportion of pores were not always indicators of change.
Approximately 20 cores were needed per regime to show differences. Soil
properties on most soil types were still affected 18 months after a pugging
event. Measurements selected for showing change varied depending on whether
data were for geographic regions, a single region, or a particular soil type.
Keywords poaching; treading; cattle; soil quality;
compaction; indicators
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2000, Vol. 43: 559-567
0028-8233/00/4304-0559 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
2000
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (662K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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