Soil Physical Properties Under Pasture after Long-Term Grazing by Sheep

Abstract

Grazing animals exert a pressure on the ground which is comparable to that of agricultural machinery and, as a result, soil under pasture can be compacted. In grazing systems based on permanent pastures, there is little opportunity to ameliorate poor soil physical conditions through tillage. Previous studies have reported that detrimental effects of grazing on soil physical properties were not as great at lower stocking rates, but these studies were undertaken on pastures where the stocking rate treatments had been imposed for less than 10 years. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of long-term grazing on selected soil physical properties, soil water relations and root characteristics under pasture. The potential for two management techniques-fertiliser addition and grazing exclusion-to ameliorate soil structure was also investigated.