Changes in soil carbon in hill-country under contrasting phosphorus fertiliser and sheep stocking rates

Authors

  • Alec D Mackay AgResearch
  • Ronaldo Vibart AgResearch
  • Catherine McKenzie AgResearch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2018.80.348

Abstract

Carbon (C) measurements were analysed for soil sampled to two depths (0-75 and 75-150 mm) in 2003 and again in 2014 in three of the farmlets of a long-term phosphorus (P) fertiliser and sheep grazing experiment at the AgResearch Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station. The farmlets received either 125 kg/ ha/year of single superphosphate (SSP) from 1975-1979 and none since (LFNF), or the same amount of SSP applied as for LFNF from 1975-1979 and 125 kg SSP/ha/year since 1980 (LFLF), or 625 kg/ha/year of SSP applied from 1975-1979, and 375 kg SSP/ha/year since 1980 (HFHF). Carbon concentration in soil at both sampling depths was not affected by differences in P fertiliser inputs and sheep stocking rate, but there were significant (P<0.001) slope x farmlet and aspect x farmlet interactions. Data from this long-term study provide science, policy and industry with invaluable insights into the changes in soil C stocks in pastoral hill-country soils.

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Published

2018-12-08

How to Cite

Mackay, A. D., Vibart, R., & McKenzie, C. (2018). Changes in soil carbon in hill-country under contrasting phosphorus fertiliser and sheep stocking rates. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 80, 263–268. https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2018.80.348

Issue

Section

Vol 80 (2018)