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Root length density and carbon content of agroforestry and grass buffers under grazed pasture systems in a Hapludalf

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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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Acknowledgments

This work was funded through the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry under cooperative agreements 58-6227-1-004 with the USDA-ARS. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The authors extend appreciation to Brandon Adamson and Aquib Choudhry for assistance with root core sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Carbon Management & Sequestration Center, School of Environment & Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Sandeep Kumar

  2. Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Ranjith P. Udawatta

  3. Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Stephen H. Anderson

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  1. Sandeep Kumar
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  2. Ranjith P. Udawatta
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Correspondence to Sandeep Kumar.

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Kumar, S., Udawatta, R.P. & Anderson, S.H. Root length density and carbon content of agroforestry and grass buffers under grazed pasture systems in a Hapludalf. Agroforest Syst 80, 85–96 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-010-9312-0

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