Publication Date
1997
Description
Grasses are considered to be beneficial for soil structure but little quantifiable data is available. The objective of this study was to characterize the soil pore size distribution of a fine sandy loam under long-term perennial grass, compared to an adjacent cultivated area, in Prince Edward Island. Differentiating soil porosity into functional classes important to root growth, based on pore size, indicated that the soil structural form under timothy (Phleum pratense L.) was superior than that developed under continuous cultivation. Under timothy, the volume of soil pores > 9 mm were generally greater, over the 8 to 24 cm soil depth, than that present under cultivation.
Citation
Carter, M R., "Quantifying the Effect of Grasses on Soil Physical Quality of Fine Sandy Loams in Prince Edward Island" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 16.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session19/16
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Quantifying the Effect of Grasses on Soil Physical Quality of Fine Sandy Loams in Prince Edward Island
Grasses are considered to be beneficial for soil structure but little quantifiable data is available. The objective of this study was to characterize the soil pore size distribution of a fine sandy loam under long-term perennial grass, compared to an adjacent cultivated area, in Prince Edward Island. Differentiating soil porosity into functional classes important to root growth, based on pore size, indicated that the soil structural form under timothy (Phleum pratense L.) was superior than that developed under continuous cultivation. Under timothy, the volume of soil pores > 9 mm were generally greater, over the 8 to 24 cm soil depth, than that present under cultivation.
