Cropping System and Rotational Grazing Effects on Soil Fertility and Enzymatic Activity in an Integrated Organic Crop-Livestock System

• DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10060803
• Publication Date: 2020-06-09T08:19:39Z
• Authors: Fernando Shintate...; Kathleen Delate; Bradley Heins; Hannah Phillips; Andrew Smith; Paulo Humberto Pa...
• Keywords: Brachiaria; Soil carbon; Crop Rotation; Soil Quality

Alternative grazing systems that incorporate cover crops may be useful to achieve a longer season and maximize forage production. However, little is known about their impact on soil properties, especially in the presence or absence of cattle early spring. The aim this study was evaluate interacting effects cropping with without rotation corn soybean balance dynamics fertility enzyme activity. This conducted as system experiment between 2015 2019 Minnesota Pennsylvania, USA. experimental design randomized complete block four replications. Treatments included two types (pasture-rye-soybean-pasture [P-R-SB-P] pasture-wheat/vetch-corn-pasture [P-W/V-C-P]. Soil samples were collected six times during study. properties analyzed pH, organic matter, salinity, K, Ca, Mg, cation exchange capacity (CEC), P, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, aryl-sulfatase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, ammonium, nitrate, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), N%, C%, S%, C:N ratio. Grazing increased glucosidase activity, available NO3−, NH4+, In P-W/V-C-P system, sulfatase activity found increase compared P-R-SB-P system. contrast, OM, CEC, glucosidase, POXC, total S% greater results suggested rotational can quality microbial decomposition under result than leading faster nutrient cycling. These show promise for producers who are seeking methods diversify farming operation reduce need external inputs.