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Research Project: FORAGE SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL PRODUCTION IN THE MID-SOUTH

Location: Forage-Animal Production Research

Title: Soil Organic Carbon Fractions Differ in Two Contrasting Tall Fescue Systems

Authors
item Handayani, I -
item Coyne, M -
item Phillips, T -

Submitted to: Plant and Soil
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 18, 2010
Publication Date: March 24, 2010
Citation: Handayani, I.P., Coyne, M.S., Phillips, T.D. 2010. Soil Organic Carbon Fractions Differ in Two Contrasting Tall Fescue Systems. Plant and Soil Journal. doi:10.1007/s11104-010-0352-z.

Interpretive Summary: The value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) for C sequestration in addition to forage production and soil conservation is of current interest. However, studies relating to the impacts of endophyte infected (E+) and endophyte free (E-) tall fescue on soil organic matter fractions are few. This study examined how E+ and E- growth affected soil C fractions 4 years after establishment. The study site was at the University of Kentucky research farm, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. From soil cores in replicated fields we measured total C, particulate organic matter C (POM C), microbial biomass C (MBC), mineralizable C (Min C), C in aggregates, and aggregate distribution at depths of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Significant effects between E+ and E- fescue were sometimes observed for MBC, Min C, C in micro-aggregates, and aggregate distribution, but not for total C, and POM C. At 0-15 cm MBC (E+ 26% greater than E-), Min C (E+ 43% lower than E-), C associated with micro-aggregates (E+ 15% lower than E-), and micro-aggregates (46% more micro-aggregates in E+ than E-), were affected by endophyte infection, confirming hypotheses that early changes in soil properties were reflected in labile C fractions and soil structure. Endophyte infection status in tall fescue has quantifiable effects on C sequestration and soil structure, achievable in a relatively short period that can be used to monitor conservation efforts and the consequences of pasture renovation strategies.

Technical Abstract: The value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) for C sequestration in addition to forage production and soil conservation is of current interest. However, studies relating to the impacts of endophyte infected (E+) and endophyte free (E-) tall fescue on soil organic matter fractions are few. This study examined how E+ and E- growth affected soil C fractions 4 years after establishment. The study site was at the University of Kentucky research farm, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. From soil cores in replicated fields we measured total C, particulate organic matter C (POM C), microbial biomass C (MBC), mineralizable C (Min C), C in aggregates, and aggregate distribution at depths of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Significant effects between E+ and E- fescue were sometimes observed for MBC, Min C, C in micro-aggregates, and aggregate distribution, but not for total C, and POM C. At 0-15 cm MBC (E+ 26% greater than E-), Min C (E+ 43% lower than E-), C associated with micro-aggregates (E+ 15% lower than E-), and micro-aggregates (46% more micro-aggregates in E+ than E-), were affected by endophyte infection, confirming hypotheses that early changes in soil properties were reflected in labile C fractions and soil structure. Endophyte infection status in tall fescue has quantifiable effects on C sequestration and soil structure, achievable in a relatively short period that can be used to monitor conservation efforts and the consequences of pasture renovation strategies.

   

 
Project Team
Dinkins, Randy
Kagan, Isabelle
Strickland, James
Aiken, Glen
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Food Animal Production (101)
  Pasture, Forage and Rangeland Systems (215)
 
Related Projects
   On-farm Biomass Processing: Towards an Integrated High Solids Transporting/Storing/Processing System (UKRF Subaward No. 3048109826-13-061)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/23/2013
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