Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment

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Soil organic carbon content is an important integral indicator of soil fertility. The extent at which the soil can sequestrate carbon depends on the nature of agricultural production, land use and soil type (Follet, 2001). More than two thirds of the annual grassland biomass production is allocated to below ground structures and deep humus layers are common in grassland (Körner, 2002). Grasslands differ markedly in species composition, utilisation purpose, fertilisation and this can significantly change their effect on soil organic content (Hassink & Neeteson, 1991). The objective of study was to estimate changes in the soil organic carbon content and C:N ratio after pure grass and mixed swards of legumes and grass at different grazing frequencies.

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The Effect of Legume/Grass Pasture on Soil Organic Carbon

Soil organic carbon content is an important integral indicator of soil fertility. The extent at which the soil can sequestrate carbon depends on the nature of agricultural production, land use and soil type (Follet, 2001). More than two thirds of the annual grassland biomass production is allocated to below ground structures and deep humus layers are common in grassland (Körner, 2002). Grasslands differ markedly in species composition, utilisation purpose, fertilisation and this can significantly change their effect on soil organic content (Hassink & Neeteson, 1991). The objective of study was to estimate changes in the soil organic carbon content and C:N ratio after pure grass and mixed swards of legumes and grass at different grazing frequencies.