The effect of management of cut plant residues on soil moisture content of grassland swards

摘要

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of returned grass material on soil moisture in turfgrass and grass-clover swards at different fertilization rates. The experiment was carried out during 2006-2007. The soil was sarnpled at the 0-5 and 5-20 cm soil layers by manual coring and gravimetric moisture content (%) of the soil samples was calculated on oven dry weight basis. The factors of the experiment were: (i) sward type; (ii) residue treatment; (iii) fertilizer treatment. The cut plant residues returned to the plot influenced soil moisture content only in the year when the vegetation period was more humid. The influence was statistically significant only in 0-5 cm soil layer in both swards. Fertilization had a negative effect on the soil moisture in turfgrass sward, which was associated with an increase in sward productivity. The fertilization impact on soil moisture content of grass-clover swards was not significant.