Root length density and carbon content of agroforestry and grass buffers under grazed pasture systems in a Hapludalf |
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| Authors: | Sandeep Kumar Ranjith P Udawatta Stephen H Anderson |
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| Institution: | (1) Carbon Management & Sequestration Center, School of Environment & Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;(2) Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA;(3) Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA |
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| Abstract: | Enhancement of root development helps to improve soil physical properties, carbon sequestration, and water quality of streams.
The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in root length density (RLD) and root and soil carbon content within
grass buffer (GB), agroforestry buffer (AgB), rotationally grazed pasture (RG) and continuously grazed pasture (CG) treatments.
Pasture and GB areas included red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) while AgB included Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoids Bortr. ex Marsh.) planted into fescue. One-meter deep soil cores were collected from each treatment in August 2007 and 2008
with a soil probe. Three soil cores were sampled at six replicate sampling positions. Soil cores were collected in plastic
tubes inserted inside the metal soil probe. Soils were segregated by horizons, and roots were separated into three diameter
classes (0–1, 1–2, >2 mm) by soil horizon. Root length was determined using a flatbed scanner assisted with computer software.
Buffer treatments (167 cm/100 cm3) had 4.5 times higher RLD as compared to pasture treatments (37.3 cm/100 cm3). The AgB treatment had the highest (173.5 cm/100 cm3) RLD and CG pasture had the lowest (10.8 cm/100 cm3) value. Root carbon was about 3% higher for the buffers compared to RG treatment. Soil carbon was about 115% higher for the
buffers compared to pasture treatments. Results from this study imply that establishment of agroforestry and GB on grazed
pasture watersheds improve soil carbon accumulation and root parameters which enhance soil physical and chemical properties
thus improving the environmental quality of the landscape. |
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