Explore soil health indicators and evidence linked to livestock management systems.
| Author | Reference | Year | Research Article (Y/N) | Source (dataset) | Language | Location / country(s) | Livestock type | Product type | Management type | Terminology of indicator | Indicator(s) | Soil type | Inc. Sequestration (Y/N) | Positive / negative | Impact (actor) | Externality | (indicator) Impact summary | Quantitative Data (Y/N) | Indicator co-efficient(s) | Study methodology | Study outcome summary |
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| Abdalla | Abdalla, K., Sun, Y., Zarebanadkouki, M., Gaiser, T., Seidel, S. and Pausch, J., 2022. Long-term continuous farmyard manure application increases soil carbon when combined with mineral fertilizers due to lower priming effects. Geoderma, 428, p.116216. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Germany | Cattle | N/A | N/A | N/A | SOM / SOC / N, nitrogen / P, phosphorus / K, potassium / and Ca, calcium. | Haplic Luvisol. | Y | Positive | Soil health | N/A | FYM and FYM & synthetic fertiliser treatments increased SOC by 45 and 65 %, respectively. Long-term yearly application of 60 tonnes ha− 1 of farmyard manure in a five-year crop rotation either alone (+m) or combined with synthetic fertilizers (+s +m) resulted in higher topsoil SOC and TN contents (by an average of 58 %. C:N imbalance induced the highest positive correlations to basal CO2, SOC-CO2, and PE. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was also observed be_x0002_tween soil pH on one hand and basal CO2, SOC-CO2, PE, and C:N imbalance on the other hand, with the strongest correlation, (r = 0.81) observed between pH and C:N imbalance. | Y | FYM and FYM & synthetic fertiliser treatments increased SOC by 45 and 65 %, respectively. Long-term yearly application of 60 tonnes ha− 1 of farmyard manure in a five-year crop rotation either alone (+m) or combined with syn_x0002_thetic fertilizers (+s +m) resulted in higher topsoil SOC and TN contents (by an average of 58 %. C:N imbalance induced the highest positive correlations to basal CO2, SOC-CO2, and PE. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was also observed be_x0002_tween soil pH on one hand and basal CO2, SOC-CO2, PE, and C:N imbalance on the other hand, with the strongest correlation, (r = 0.81) observed between pH and C:N imbalance. |
This study aimed to assess the effects of different fertilization practices on SOC decomposition and PE in agricultural systems subjected to long-term annual synthetic and/or organic fertilizer application. This aim was achieved by collecting topsoil samples (0–20 cm) from four long-term fertilization practices, i.e., unfertilized, synthetic supplemental (+s), cattle farmyard manure (+m, similar nutrient amount to +s), and synthetic fertilizer with farmyard manure (+s +m, the highest nutrient amount). The soil samples were incubated for 33 days with and without 13C glucose addition, and a CO2 isotope analyzer combined with a modeling approach was used to establish a real-time method to monitor CO2 and 13CO2 production rates during the incubation period | high benefits of organic manure in increasing SOC and TN content. These increases were greater than the impact induced by synthetic fertilizers (i.e., no effect on SOC and 13 % increase in TN). Unlike synthetic fertilizer, manure applications can improve soil physical and chemical properties, i.e., maintaining neutral pH, having a higher water holding capacity and lower bulk density, and favoring microbial growth and microbial-driven processes compared to synthetic fertilizers. This reflects that manure application could improve soil organic matter quantity and quality, and soil fertility, compared to synthetic fertilizer under long_x0002_term continual application. The manure potential for SOC sequestration was remarkable when the farmyard manure was applied in combination with synthetic fertilizer (i.e., +s +m). Such findings are consistent with many previous studies (Ding et al., 2014; Iqbal et al., 2020; Wu, 2019) and highlight the importance of managing farmyard manure application to increase manure-derived C in spite of increasing SOC mineralization for optimizing C sequestration efficiency in agricultural systems. |
| Abdallah | Abdallah, A.M., Ugolini, F., Baronti, S., Maienza, A., Ungaro, F. and Camilli, F., 2019. Assessment of two sheep wool residues from textile industry as organic fertilizer in sunflower and maize cultivation. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 19(4), pp.793-807. | 2019 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Sheep | Wool | N/A | N/A | nitrogen. pH. | sandy-loam | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Even at lower concentrations, the SWRs increased the N content of the soil by between 0.04 and 0.08%. | Y | Even at lower concentrations, the SWRs increased the N content of the soil by between 0.04 and 0.08%. |
This study evaluates two types of sheep wool residues (SWRs)—carbonized (black wool, BW) and non-carbonized (white wool, WW) to enhance soil fertility and act as a N-source. The two SWRs were tested on two plant species, in two pot experiments: ornamental sunflower on soil mixtures with each of SWR types at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w), and maize on BW- or WW-soil mixture (1% w/w) and supplementary N fertilization (0, 50, and 100% of recommended N rates). Each SWR was added to 25 kg of dry topsoil in the amounts of 125, 250, and 500 g in pots of 24 L (Ø 54 cm, 30 cm deep) in order to produce the following treatments: WW0.5%, WW1%, WW2% and BW0.5%, BW1%, BW2% and the con_x0002_trol soil (CTRL). The electrical conductivity (EC and pH of the SWR-soil mixtures were measured 1 month later when the mixtures reached stabilization. | The wool keratins slowly degrade into simpler compounds releasing nutrients in the soil over a long time benefting soil properties and health. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of carbonized and non-carbonized wool as nutrient sources for ornamental sunflower and maize. Chemical analysis of both WW and BW showed that they might act as a balanced and rich organic fertilizer because of the high content of N, S, K, P, Mg, and Ca which are essential in plant nutrition. In maize, the SWRs )especially, the black wool residue(, used at 1%, resulted in optimal plant physiological status and production compared to the control, even without N fertili_x0002_zation. |
| Alaru | Alaru, M., Talgre, L., Luik, A., Tein, B., Eremeev, V. and Loit, E., 2017. Barley undersown with red clover in organic and conventional systems: nitrogen aftereffect on legume growth. Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, 104(2), pp.131-138. | 2017 | Y | WOS | English | Estonia | Cattle manure | N/A | N/A | N/A | (i) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain yield, (ii) biomass yield formation of undersown red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and (iii) the aftereffect of mineral and organic N fertilisers on the red clover crop biomass yield in the following year. | Stagnic Albic Luvisol. | N | Positive | N/A | N/A | Because of competition for nutrients in cereal_x0002_legume mixture the grain yield of barley in organic system was 11‒61% lower than that in conventional system. The mean protein content of barley grains over the trial years and treatments was 99 ± 1.6 g kg-1 in the conventional system, which was 17% higher than that in the organic system. Mean above ground biomass yield over the trial years for the red clover crop 2nd cut was 17% higher in the conventional system than in the organic system. the cultivation of cover crop and application of cattle manure in organic system increased the number and mass of grains per ear up to 14% and 17%, respectively. Using mineral N fertiliser in conventional farming system increased the number and mass of grains per ear up to 13% and 14%, respectively. | Y | Because of competition for nutrients in cereal_x0002_legume mixture the grain yield of barley in organic system was 11‒61% lower than that in conventional system. The mean protein content of barley grains over the trial years and treatments was 99 ± 1.6 g kg-1 in the conventional system, which was 17% higher than that in the organic system. Mean above ground biomass yield over the trial years for the red clover crop 2nd cut was 17% higher in the conventional system than in the organic system. | This investigation was conducted in a long-term field crop rotation experiment comparing organic and conventional growing systems. It was set up in a systematic block design with four replicates of each treatment and a plot size of 60 m2. The trial has a five-year crop cycle period during which five different crops follow each other in the order: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with undersown red clover → red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) → winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) → pea (Pisum sativum L.) → potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The crops were cultivated in different farming systems: three organic (Org0, OrgI and OrgII) and four conventional (N0, N40, N80 and N120) treatments (Table 1). The first organic treatment Org0 was a control, with symbiotically fixed atmospheric N2 the only source of N, ploughed into the soil with legume above-ground biomass. |
Our study revealed that undersown red clover competed strongly with the main crop and had a strong effect on the grain yield of barley. 1. The competition for nutrients between cereal and undersown legume resulted in lower density and in lower grain yield of barley in the organic system. |
| Albers | Albers, R. and Albach, D.C., 2024. Diversification of Intensively Used Grassland: Resilience and Good Fodder Quality across Different Soil Types. Agronomy, 14(6), p.1152. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | Germany | N/A Grasslands | N/A | N/A | N/A | seed mixture, site, cut of the season, soil pH, soil N, maximum field capacity, study year, monthly rainfall, and proportions of grasses |
sandy soils (pH 5 and 5.1), and one on bog soil (pH 4.1). | N | Positive | N/A | N/A | Y | Reduction in mineral N fertiliser by 10 to 15%. dry matter intake increases with legume content, and milk yield can increase until legume coverage reaches 50–60%. The achieved 20 to 30% legume coverage is a good value to maximize advantages and avoid disadvantages | we developed five consecutively diversified grassland mixes consisting of ryegrass, legumes, a non-leguminous forb, and additional grass species for intensive fodder production, and tested them under regular agricultural conditions in a three-year experiment on sandy soil, marshland, and bog soil at one_x0002_hectare per mix and site. | We provide evidence for some of the advan_x0002_tages of more diverse grassland seed mixes for farmers. The seed mixes of higher diversity produced higher and more stable biomass yields across varying weather conditions. Fur_x0002_thermore, the forbs and legumes in all mixes greatly complemented the biomass production of the grasses seasonally, with the grasses being strongest in early to mid-season and the other groups thereafter. The ideal proportion of legumes in meadows and pastures is still a matter of debate. The dry matter intake increases with legume content, and milk yield can increase until legume coverage reaches 50–60% [10,18,49,50] but there are possible downsides to such high values. The advantages, like high nutritive values and increased intake, can be counteracted by disadvantages like poor ensiling performance [51], potential N leaching [50,52], and a higher bloat risk. The achieved 20 to 30% legume coverage is a good value to maximize advantages and avoid disadvantages. All farmers managed their fields independently and without further instructions, yet all of them reduced the amount of mineral N fertiliser by 10 to 15% in the later study years since they saw a positive influence of the legumes and were, therefore, able to reduce costs. | |
| Anderson | Anderson, T.H. and Paulsen, H.M., 2016. Response time of soil microbial biomass after conversion from conventional to several different organic farming systems. Landbauforschung, 66(4). | 2016 | Y | WOS | English | Germany | N/A FYM | N/A | Conventional to Organic | Indicator(s) | soil microbial quality indicators such as total microbial biomass (Cmic), the Cmic-to-Corg ratio together with soil carbon (Corg). | stagnic Luvisols | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Field plots under the system “DAIRY” with a high presence of legumes in the crop rotation in addition with FYM and slurry applications were the most favorable for microbial development with significant Cmic increases up to 87 % within seven years, with an annual growth rate of 12 to 53 µg Cmic g-1 soil and an increase of the Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 60 %. Plots under the system “PIG” showed losses in Cmic of up to 25 % and a decreased Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 27 %. Along with the increase of the soil microbial biomass there are also significant increases in the Cmic-to-Corg (microbial biomass development, the Cmic-to-Corg) ratios in plots of “DAIRY” and “STOCKLESS1” farming systems. The DAIRY plot number 5 showed the highest increase of >60 %. “PIG” pointed to a negative trend which was significant. This direct influence which field management can exert on the microflora is exemplified with DAIRY plot No. 5, which had changed from the initial ploughland to permanent grassland in the year 2004 with additional grazing and manure application; this plot showed the highest increase in Cmic and Cmic-to-Corg | Y | DAIRY with legumes (crop rotation) with resulted in significant Cmic increases up to 87 % within seven years, with an annual growth rate of 12 to 53 µg Cmic g-1 soil and an increase of the Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 60 %. Plots under the system “PIG” showed losses in Cmic of up to 25 % and a decreased Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 27 %. | Organic farming was implemented on a 660 ha area of agricultural land with a long history of conventional farm management in Trenthorst, Northern Germany. The arable land was divided in five different organic farming systems differing in crop rotations and organic fertilization in addition to grassland plots. The plots were monitored over a period of seven consecutive years from 2001 to 2008 together with four adjacent plots which remained under conventional management. To assess the impact of soil management on the microflora |
Cmic (total microbial biomass) and Cmic-to-Corg (soil carbon) ratio were sensitive parameters which differed in their responses dependent on the farming system and varied from no effects, to beneficial or adverse effects. Field plots under the system “DAIRY” with a high presence of legumes in the crop rotation in addition with FYM and slurry applications were the most favourable for microbial development with significant Cmic increases up to 87 % within seven years, with an annual growth rate of 12 to 53 µg Cmic g-1 soil and an increase of the Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 60 %. Plots under the system “PIG” showed losses in Cmic of up to 25 % and a decreased Cmic-to-Corg ratio of up to 27 %. The type of crop management here could be the reason for the insufficient microbial growth. In our field system “DAIRY”, the carbon additives in the form of different types of manure applications plus legumes as crop residues seem to supply the soils with sufficient N and P, which enables the microflora to use more carbon for growth in comparison to the starting situation and to the other organic systems, since the % Cmic of total Corg rose from 2.4 to 2.8 Of major importance seems to be here an optimal C:N:P ratio that organic inputs and management can develop their full potential for enhancing microbial growth and activity with respect to organic matter decomposition. |
| Askari | Askari, M.S. and Holden, N.M., 2014. Indices for quantitative evaluation of soil quality under grassland management. Geoderma, 230, pp.131-142. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | dairy, beef, beef plus dairy, mix sheep and |
N/A | N/A | Indicator(s) | Aggregate size distribution (MWD) / Bulk density (g/cm3) / Bulk density in particles b2 mm (g/cm3 / Porosity (%) / pH / Total nitrogen (%) / Total carbon (% / Organic carbon (%) / CN ratio / Calcium (ppm) / Magnesium (ppm) / Potassium (ppm) / Phosphate (ppm) / Sorptivity (cm) / Penetration resistance (kPa) / Water content (%) / Sand (%) / Silt (%) / Clay (%) / CEC / Soil respiration (mg C kg−1 day−1) | Grassland (Ireland) Grey Brown Podzolics, Brown Podzolics, Brown Earths, Gleys, Rendzinas, Lithosols and Peat | N | Positive and negative | Soil quality | N/A | SOC was highly correlated with soil nitrogen, which is a critical contributor to dynamics of SOC. / VESS indicated 45% of sites had good soil structural quality, 45% fair and 10% poor soil structural quality | Y | Aggregate size distribution (MWD) ( 2.46) / Bulk density (0.81 g/cm3) / Bulk density in particles b2 mm (0.79g cm3) / Porosity (64.77%) / pH (5.62) / Total nitrogen (0.54%) / Total carbon (5.85%) / Organic carbon (5.82%) / CN ratio (10.95) / Calcium (2657ppm) / Magnesium (203ppm) / Potassium (171ppm) / Phosphate (10.70ppm) / Sorptivity (0.06cm) / Penetration resistance (1271kPa) / Water content (50.14%) / Sand (40.33%) / Silt ( 34.39%) / Clay (25.29%) / CEC (15.41%) / Soil respiration (23.28 mg C kg−1 day−1). Soil pH = >5 / The range of penetration resistance and bulk density was mostly less than the restriction threshold for root growth at 2500 kPa and 1.5 g cm−1 | Objective: The objectives of this study are to determine appropriate indicators, the most appropriate scoring function (linear or non-linear) and integrating procedure (additive and weighted additive) for a soil quality index for typical temperate, maritime grassland management (e.g. livestock grazing and silage production). Methods: The study was conducted on twenty grassland sites classified by three levels of management intensity. Twenty-one soil properties were measured as potential indicators of soil quality, and the visual evaluation of soil structure was applied to select indicators responsive to management and for the validation of the indices. Indices were calculated using linear and non-linear scoring, followed by additive and weighted additive integration. |
Selection of indicators that are sensitive enough to detect the effects of management systems on soil quality is essential / SOC and TN were two key indicators of soil quality under grassland management and they have been included in other proposed datasets (Masto et al., 2008). SOC and TN increase in soil can be linked to aggregation, decrease in bulk density, root system development and microbial activity in the rhizosphere. / " good to moderate soil quality in the studied area, which was consistent with VESS the scores. " / Increase in stocking rate was reported as a major factor in the reduction of soil productivity for Irish farms. / ent intensification was asso_x0002_ciated with reduced SOC, TN and increased bulk density and CN, which resulted in poorer soil quality and reduction of soil productivity. / Intensification can improve soil fertility in the short term due to fertilization, but it can result in soil compaction, erosion and degradation of physical attributes as well as SOC loss and reduction in nutrient availability. |
| Bacher | Bacher, M.G., Schmidt, O., Bondi, G. and Fenton, O., 2020. Influence of dung pats on soil physical quality mediated by earthworms: from dung deposition to decay and beyond. Soil Research, 58(5), pp.421-429. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Cattle | Manure | Grasslands | N/A | Earthworm populations | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Earthworm abundance and macropore density data formed a similar, ‘hump’-shaped dynamic over time. However, when an earthworm abundance threshold was exceeded (equivalent to about >3000 individuals m–2), the increase of SPQ under dung was attenuated and did increase further only under the control sward with high earthworm abundance | Y | existing earthworm populations in this grassland were already very large (>500 individuals m–2) and SPQ (AWr) (integral air-water energy, AWr) remained in the ‘very good’ category | to examine the relationship between SPQ and earthworm abundance under dung and non-dung pat areas from deposition to decay and beyond. The present spatial and temporal study compared SPQ indicator (integral air-water energy, AWr) results with earthworm abundance across control and simulated dung pat treatments. | existing earthworm populations in this grassland were already very large (>500 individuals m–2) and SPQ (AWr) (integral air-water energy, AWr) remained in the ‘very good’ category throughout the experiment | |
| Bachmann | Codigested dairy slurry as a phosphorus and nitrogen source for Zea mays L. and Amaranthus cruentus L. | 2011 | Y | WOS | English | Germany | N/A | Dairy Slurry. Co-digested slurry | N/A | N/A | P N soil organic matter content (SOM) | loamy sand and a sandy loam (both Haplic Luvisols) | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Irrespective of crop species or soil, the total N content was highest when dairy slurry or codigested slurry was applied and lower after mineral fertilization. The soil pH was generally lowest in the mineral-fertilizer treatments (NK, NPK) and higher in both organic-fertilizer treatments. No differences in soil pH were found between dairy slurry and codigested slurry. Generally, the dehydrogenase activity (DHA), an indicator of microbial activity in soils, was higher after organic fertilization than after mineral fertilization. Microbial-bound P was higher in the organic treatments than in the mineral-fertilizer treatments. | Y | For maize on the sandy soil, P uptake increased by 40% when dairy slurry was applied and by 53% when codigested slurry was applied, compared to the control without P supply. The P uptake of amaranth increased considerably on both soils compared to the control when dairy slurry (sand +56%, loam +34%) or codigested slurry (sand +62%, loam +64%) was applied. P uptake in both slurry treatments was as high as in the mineral-P treatment. Irrespective of crop species and soil type, N uptake was highest in the treatments in which mineral N was supplied (NK, NPK) and was reduced by about 50% in the organic-fertilizer treatments. Using the codigested slurry considerably increased N uptake compared to the dairy slurry. Irrespective of crop species or soil, the soil organic matter content (SOM) was up to 10% higher in the organic-fertilizer treatments than in the mineral-fertilizer treatments. | Focusing on the element P, we compared effects of codigested slurry with dairy slurry, highly soluble mineral NPK fertilizer, and a control without any P supply (NK). Codigested slurry used in this experiment was based on anaerobic digestion of dairy slurry, maize silage, and wheat grain. The fertilizing effects were tested in an 8-week pot experiment on a sandy and a loamy soil using two crop species (Zea mays L., Amaranthus cruentus L.). T | According to our results, using codigested slurries has similar effects on plant P nutrition and P pools in soil like undigested dairy slurries. Moreover, the codigested slurry was even as effective as a highly soluble mineral P fertilizer in terms of plant P uptake and thus may represent a valuable P fertilizer. |
| Baizán | Baizán, S., Vicente, F. and Martínez-Fernández, A., 2021. Management influence on the quality of an agricultural soil destined for forage production and evaluated by physico-chemical and biological indicators. Sustainability, 13(9), p.5159. | 2021 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Dairy cattle | Dairy manure / slurry | N/A | N/A | Organic matter (g kg−1) / C (g kg−1) / N (g kg−1) / C/N ratio / Ca (cmol(+) kg−1) / Mg (cmol(+) kg−1) / K (cmol(+) kg−1) / Na (cmol(+) kg−1) / Al (cmol(+) kg−1) / Cation exchange capacity (cmol(+) kg−1) / Al exchangeable (%) / P (mg kg−1) Biodiversity conservation / Macrofauna (n°) / Soil conservation / Earthworms (n° m−2) / Infiltration (min) / Global change mitigation / Soil colour (score) | sandy-loam | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | With the exception of N, there were marginal increases across all soil indicators increased under FB and FIBR applications. Significant increaes for C/N ratio. There was a massive increase for eathworm count (48 n° m−2) Organic matter (g kg−1) / C (g kg−1) / N (g kg−1) / C/N ratio / Ca (cmol(+) kg−1) / Mg (cmol(+) kg−1) / K (cmol(+) kg−1) / Na (cmol(+) kg−1) / Al (cmol(+) kg−1) / Cation exchange capacity (cmol(+) kg−1) / Al exchangeable (%) / P (mg kg−1) | Two alternative managements (faba bean in monoculture—FB—and faba bean–Italian ryegrass intercrop—FBIR) were cultivated with organic fertilization during two consecutive years, and compared to the conventional management (Italian ryegrass in monoculture—IR—under chemical fertilization) as winter crops. Three adjacent plots with a surface of one hectare were used to test the different managements: (1) chemical fertilization and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) crop (IR); (2) organic fertilization and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crop (FB); and (3) organic fertilization and faba bean–Italian ryegrass intercrop (FBIR). | ||
| Balik | Balík, J., Kulhánek, M., Černý, J., Sedlář, O., Suran, P. and Asrade, D.A., 2022. The influence of organic and mineral fertilizers on the quality of soil organic matter and glomalin content. Agronomy, 12(6), p.1375. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Czech Republic | Cattle | Cattle Slurry | N/A | N/A | Soil organic carbon (CSOM) / Fractionation of humic substances (CHS)/ The humus quality (E4/E6) / Extractable organic carbon / For the 0.01 mol/L CaCl2 extraction (CDOC) / Hot water extraction (CHWE) / The potential wettability index (PWI) and index of aromaticity (IAR) / Easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and total glomalin (TG) / Mehlich 3 / pH | Haplic Luvisol. Loam | N | N/A | Soil health | N/A | Biomass yields on seage treatments and cattle slurry treatments increased by 35% and 44%. Higher increases in COM and C:N ratio in cattle slurry and SS applications compared to inorganic N. | Y | Biomass yields on seage treatments and cattle slurry treatments increased by 35% and 44% | The influence of different fertilizers (mineral/organic) on the quantity and quality of soil organic matter was monitored in long-term stationary experiments (27 years) with silage maize monoculture production on Luvisol. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between easily extractable glomalin (EEG), total glomalin (TG), and parameters commonly used for the determination of soil organic matter quality, i.e., the content of humic acids (CHA), fulvic acids (CFA), and potential wettability index (PWI). The experiments comprised four treatments: no fertilization control (Con), urea ammonium nitrate (N), cattle slurry (CS), and sewage sludge (SS). All treatments, including the control, were replicated four times. | A significant correlation was found between EEG content and CSOM content, humic acid content (CHA), humic acid/fulvic acid ratio (CHA/CFA), PWI, and index of aromaticity (IAR). Furthermore, the contents of EEG and TG correlated with soil organic carbon (CSOM). Periodical application of sewage sludge and cattle slurry increased the content of glomalin in soils. |
| Bertici | Bertici, R., Dicu, D., Herbei, M. and Sala, F., 2022. The Potential of Pig Sludge Fertilizer for Some Pasture Agricultural Lands’ Improvement: Case Study in Timiș County, Romania. Agronomy, 12(3), p.701. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Romania | Pig | Pig sludge | N/A | N/A | pH, P, K | Medium clay (LL), dark gray-brown, glomerular structure | N | Positive and negative | Soil health | N/A | Y | Increase in soil pH levels ranged between 1 - 4 units (± 0.05) afert slurry application but did decline after time. P levels increased by as much as ~20 ppm (K increased by almost 40 ppm) from 2013 to 2019. Nitrogen index increased by ~1 unit. | The present study presents results regarding the influence of pig sludge on soil quality and the spatial and temporal variability of a pasture agro-ecosystem, in the area of Ciacova locality, Timiș County, Romania. The pig sludge was fermented for a period of 6 months in fermentation tanks and was applied at a rate of 80 m3 ha−1 y−1 between 2013 and 2019, on two pasture plots (P808, P816). | Pig manure application positively influenced the phosphorus regime in the soil, and the available phosphorus had a better qualitative effect on the soil nematode communities, compared to other soil properties, with a favorable influence for healthy agro-ecosystems. Upward trend of pH but gradually declined. | |
| Biau | Biau, A., Santiveri, F., Mijangos, I. and Lloveras, J., 2012. The impact of organic and mineral fertilizers on soil quality parameters and the productivity of irrigated maize crops in semiarid regions. European Journal of Soil Biology, 53, pp.56-61. | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Pig | Pig Slurry | N/A | N/A | soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density, water holding capacity, available P (Olsen P) and extractable K | Petrocalcic Calcixerept | N | Positve | Soil health | N/A | PS at a dose equivalent to 32 tons ha−1 of OM over 8 years was not sufficient to increase the OM content of the soil above that of the N300 plots | Y | 100% increase in earthworm count when PS is applied compared to chemical N. 21% increase in microbial biomass carbon (mg C/kg soil) | Field testing was carried out over a ten-year period to compare the performance of maize fertilized with PS (45 m3 ha-1, equivalent to 315 kg nitrogen (N) ha-1 year−1) (PS45) and mineral fertilizer (300 kg N ha-1) (N300) along with a N-free control (N0). | PS at a dose equivalent to 32 tons ha−1 of OM over 8 years was not sufficient to increase the OM content of the soil above that of the N300 plots. The application of PS as a fertilizer (45 m3 ha−1) in a sprinkler-irrigated maize crop did not improve yields compared to plots treated with mineral fertilizer containing a similar dose of N (300 kg ha−1). The application of PS resulted in marginally higher soil quality parameters in both test years, but the most significant impact was on earthworm abundance, a key soil quality indicator that is linked to other parameters such as soil moisture and resistance to penetration. |
| Bloor | Bloor, J.M., 2015. Additive effects of dung amendment and plant species identity on soil processes and soil inorganic nitrogen in grass monocultures. Plant and Soil, 396, pp.189-200. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | France | Cattle | Cattle dung | N/A | N/A | Soil total C content / Soil total N content / K2SO4-extractable DOC / Soil inorganic N / Microbial C / Microbial N | silty clay loam | Y | Positive / Negative | Soil health | N/A | Dung application was associated with a large immediate increase in the amount of CO2 emitted from all grassland plots (fivefold increase on average; Fig. 1). Emissions of CO2 from dung-treated soil (a combination of soil respiration and microbial respiration in the dung itself) decreased as dung pats dried and a hard crust formed over the dung. Nevertheless, higher CO2 fluxes persisted in dung-amended plots compared with control plots for most measurement dates | Y | Massive increases across all indicators when cattle dung is applied (avg. 5000% increase). Even more exponential when for microbial N and C | Monocultures of three co-occurring grass species with contrasting nutrient acquisition strategies were examined. Soil CO2 fluxes, leaf litter decomposition, C and N storage in soil and soil microbes were measured in plots with and without dung addition. | Dung addition increased CO2 fluxes from soil irrespective of plant species; increased leaf litter mass loss and C and N stocks in soil and microbial biomass were also observed. Bioassay results confirmed dung-induced increases in soil fertility. Dung addition was associated with an increase in total soil C, N, inorganic N and DOC (dissolved oragnic carbon) across monocultures at final harvest |
| Bogunovic | Bogunovic, I., Kljak, K., Dugan, I., Grbeša, D., Telak, L.J., Duvnjak, M., Kisic, I., Kapović Solomun, M. and Pereira, P., 2022. Grassland management impact on soil degradation and herbage nutritional value in a temperate humid environment. Agriculture, 12(7), p.921. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Croatia | Cattle | N/A | Extensive and intensive grazing | Properties | Soil water content (SWC) / water-holding capacity (WHC) / bulk density (BD) / pH / SOM / Total N | Luvisol. Sandy clay loam | N | Positive / Negative | Soil health | N/A | Y | Marginal increases in soil bulk density, but decreases in water holding capacity under Heavy Grazing. Soil pH was significantly different among all treatments in the following order: no grazing (4.78) < moderate grazing (5.23) < heavy grazing (6.51). SOM and TN were significantly different between heavy grazing and no-grazing treatments as follows: heavy grazing (4.83% SOM; 0.25% TN) ≥ moderate grazing (3.35% SOM; 0.18% TN) ≥ no grazing (2.38% SOM; 0.13% TN). Soil P2O5 ranged from 9.6 at no grazing to 55.0 mg kg−1 in the heavy-grazing treatment. Carbon, N and P loss were significantly higher in heavily grazed plots than in moderately and ungrazed plots | The effect of different grassland managements—no grazing, moderate grazing and heavy grazing—on soil properties, hydrological responses and herbage quality in an organic farm located in Croatia. The pasture was divided into two paddocks that differed in the stocking density of grazing animals (Angus beef cows). The paddock identified as moderate-grazing grassland included continuous grazing with moderate stocking density (0.76 LU ha−1), while the paddock identified as heavy-grazing grassland included continuous grazing with high stocking density (1.26 LU ha−1). | Despite increases in key nutrients and pH, heavy grazing increases soil compaction, structural deterioration, soil erosion and nutrient losses compared with moderate grazing and no grazing. This study demonstrates that a moderate-grazing system does not cause severe soil erosion and does not reduce land productivity. In conclusion, switching to different grazing management and adopting environmental protection measures on heavily grazed areas could ensure grassland sustainability by reducing soil and nutrient losses and increasing vegetation cover, biomass production, and the herbage nutritional value. | |
| Bondi | Bondi, G., Peruzzi, E., Macci, C., Masciandaro, G. and Pistoia, A., 2015. Changes in soil organic matter associated with pig rearing: Influence of stocking densities and land gradient on forest soils in central Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 211, pp.32-42. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Pig | N/A | Extensive and intensive grazing | Parameters | pH, EC, Electrical Conductivity; BD, Bulk density; MR, Soil microbial respiration; WSC, Water Soluble Carbon; TEC, Total Extractable Carbon; HA, Humic Acids; FA, Fulvic Acids | Eutric Cambisol (loam texture) | N | Positive / Negative | Soil health | N/A | The lower values of TOC and TN found in HD upper soil layers, in fact, suggested an influence of grazing on the potential of organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Grazing at high animal density showed a worsening of all soil properties, thus resulting in a loss of soil quality. Grazing at low animal density generally seemed not to affect chemical fertility of soil, preserving organic matter content, even though a significant worsening of chemical-structural and physical characteristics was present. | Y | Grazing at high animal pressure showed a reduction of all parameters related to organic matter content, in addition to a worsening of chemical-structural characteristics, thus resulting in a loss of soil quality. Grazing at low animal pressure generally seemed not to affect chemical fertility of soil, preserving organic matter content, even though a significant worsening of chemical-structural characteristics was identified. | The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of outdoor pig rearing in forest ecosystems in Mediterranean areas on soil, in order to identify the critical thresholds for soil organic matter quality and functionality in terms of: animal pressure (animal density); grazing livestock area (slope, depth and soil characteristics). | Grazing at high animal pressure showed a reduction of all parameters related to organic matter content, in addition to a worsening of chemical-structural characteristics, thus resulting in a loss of soil quality. Grazing at low animal pressure generally seemed not to affect chemical fertility of soil, preserving organic matter content, even though a significant worsening of chemical-structural characteristics was identified. |
| Serra | Bosch-Serra, A.D., Yagüe, M.R., Valdez, A.S. and Domingo-Olivé, F., 2020. Dairy cattle slurry fertilization management in an intensive Mediterranean agricultural system to sustain soil quality while enhancing rapeseed nutritional value. Journal of Environmental Management, 273, p.111092. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Dairy Cattle | Cattle Slurry | N/A | Parameters | SOC, soil microbial biomass (SMB), pH, EC, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn | loamy texture | Y | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | The relative mean annual SOC storage rate related to slurry use was 2.5%. The soil microbial biomass was significantly higher (40% up) in DCS treatments than in the control. In the 0–0.3 m soil depth, slurries significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) from by 2.3 or 2.7% yearly (c. 2.8 Mg C with 10 Mg C ha−1 input) mainly in its light fraction. The size of the microbial biomass increased by 5.1% yearly (c. 0.12 Mg C with 10 Mg C ha−1 input). | The effect of two N based dairy cattle slurry (DCS) rates (170 vs. 250 kg N ha−1 yr−1) plus additional mineral N (up to 450 kg N ha−1 divided between two crops), on different soil quality parameters. A control (no N applied) was included. The experiment, which lasted for 8 years, included forage maize followed by ryegrass, grain maize and rapeseed. | The annual average increase of 2.5% in SOC was c. 70% based on the OC from slurries and c. 30% to the increase in root and stubble biomass. The benefit of moving the DCS dose from 170 kg N ha−1 to 250 kg N ha−1 was observed by a positive trend for SOC content, mainly for its light C fraction. Besides, SMB grew by 40% with slurry applications (end of the 8 CS). Slurry boosted soil aggregate stability against slaking and it improved P, K, Mn and Ni soil bioavailability. In the three latter parameters, bioavailability also increased with the DCS dose. |
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| Serra | Bosch‐Serra, À.D., Yagüe, M.R., Poch, R.M., Molner, M., Junyent, B. and Boixadera, J., 2017. Aggregate strength in calcareous soil fertilized with pig slurries. European Journal of Soil Science, 68(4), pp.449-461. | 2017 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Pig | Pig Slurry | N/A | Properties | Respiration, porosity | Typic Xerofluvent | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | total porosity (> 25 µm) under mineral fertilizer did not differ significantly from that under slurry fertilizer. pig slurry into fertilization strategies benefits porosity, mainly in the 25–200-µm range area. PS-amended soil (0.72–0.88 mg CO2-C kg−1 dry soil hour−1), was larger than that from the control and mineral treatments (0.41–0.48 mg CO2-C kg−1 dry soil hour−1) | (i) identify aggregate stability tests that give a reliable description of the soil's behaviour when pig slurry (PS) is applied to calcareous soil and (ii) interpret them in terms of chemical, biological, morphological and physical soil properties for soil quality assessments. Soil samples from eight fertilizer treatments (mineral fertilizers and PS), applied over seven growing seasons were analysed. We applied five methodologies to examine different mechanisms of aggregate breakdown. Porosity was characterized by image analyses. | Despite some changes in porosity and respiration (increases), if PS is the fertilizer, the stability tests (MWDFW and WSADRY) can result in contradictory assessments of resistance to slaking. | |
| Bouthier | Bouthier, A. and Trochard, R., 2015. Effects of repeated applications of farm fertilisers on fertility-related physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of soils in ley-arable rotations and temporary pastures. | 2015 | Y | Scopus | English | France | Cattle, pig, poultry | Cattle, pig, poultry slurry | N/A | Properties | P, K, and Mg, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, C, N | N/A | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | In contrast to when only mineral fertilisers were used, the regular application of raw or composted manure significantly increased levels of C and N in the soil and changed the composition of the organic matter (according to the granulometric fractions) found in the plough layer. | Using data from 2 experimental sites, we compared the impacts of different farm fertilisers (raw and composted manure from cattle, swine, and poultry as well as liquid swine manure) on 2 types of crop systems (a ley-arable rotation and a grassland). | In contrast to when only mineral fertilisers were used, the regular application of raw or composted manure significantly increased levels of C and N in the soil and changed the composition of the organic matter (according to the granulometric fractions) found in the plough layer. These changes could enhance the mineralisation of organic nitrogen in the soil and modify certain properties of the plough layer (e.g., increased hydraulic conductivity, which is associated with greater macroporosity, and increased levels of P, K, and Mg). We observed no significant differences due to farm manure type. | |
| Briones | Briones, M.J.I., Barreal, M.E., Harrison, A.C. and Gallego, P.P., 2011. Earthworms and nitrogen applications to improve soil health in an intensively cultivated kiwifruit orchard. Applied Soil Ecology, 49, pp.158-166. | 2011 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Cattle | Cattle slurry | N/A | Properties | Earthworm populations, | N/A | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Earthworm biomass was positively influenced by manure addition and the difference with the other two treatments containing earthworms became significantly different after 42 days. By the end of the experiment the final earthworm biomass was twice the initial value (0.4g - 1.9g). The combined effect of manure additions and earthworm presence had a significant effect on overall mean CO2–C production with flux rates showing an increase over time (total value of 71.5 μg CO2–C/g dry soil day−1) – ~20 for other treatments. Manure additions significantly increased soil pH, P (increase of ~60mg/kg), K , Na, Mg. +EM treatments released 10–20 times more DOC | we investigated the effect of introducing an anecic earthworm (Lumbricus friendi), in combination with two nitrogen applications either via biological fixation (clover, +EC) or cattle manure (+EM) on the chemical properties of an horticultural soil (C release, N mineralisation, soil pH, cations and P availability) collected from a kiwifruit orchard where the fruit is intensively produced using conventional agriculture practices. | Results indicate that manure application promoted earthworm activities and biomass and beneficially affected the chemical properties of the orchard soil (i.e. higher carbon, nitrogen, Mg, Na and K contents, assimilable P and soil pH). In contrast, the common practice of planting a N-fixing legume did not appear to improve the biotic and abiotic properties of these agricultural soils. This could simply be a reflection of an unsuccessful nodulation (Appunu et al., 2009) or inadequate levels of other essential nutrients (e.g. phosphorus) for nitrogen uptake | |
| Brmez | Brmež, M., Puškarić, J., Siber, T., Raspudić, E., Grubišić, D. and Popović, B., 2018. Influence of liquid chicken manure preparation on soil health and agrochemical soil properties. Poljoprivreda, 24(1), pp.3-9. | 2018 | Y | WOS | English | Slovenia | Chicken | Chicken manure | N/A | Indicator(s) | nematode biodiversity, OM, P, K | N/A | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Genus biodiversity was significantly higher in treatments with LCMP (18% in wheat, 28% in rapeseed). Increasement of organic matter content (60%) and P and K content in treatment with LCMP | To determine the influence of liquid chicken manure preparation on nematode biodiversity as an indicator of soil health and agrochemi-cal soil properties. The field experiment was conducted during two years into two treatments and three samplings per year. One plot was treated with liquid chicken manure preparation (LCMP) while the other plot, without manure application, was control (C). In the first year of this study, the treatments were conducted in the wheat plantation, while in the following year the culture was rapeseed. | It can be concluded that the use of LCMP significantly increases the nematode diversity and the stability of the soil ecosystem as well as a nutrient content in the soil which results in a reduced eco-nomic investment, primarily in the use of mineral fertilizers. | |
| Chatzistathis | Chatzistathis, T., Papadakis, I.E., Papaioannou, A., Chatzissavvidis, C. and Giannakoula, A., 2020. Comparative study effects between manure application and a controlled-release fertilizer on the growth, nutrient uptake, photosystem II activity and photosynthetic rate of Olea europaea L.(cv.‘Koroneiki’). Scientia Horticulturae, 264, p.109176. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Greece | Cattle, Goats | Cattle manure, Goat manure | N/A | Parameters | pH, particle size analysis, organic matter, organic N, available P, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K and Na) and extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu). | marl soil | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | 2.4% increase in OM levels when CM + GM is applied. The values of the ratio C/N were varied from 5.17 (in the control soil) to 10.34 (in the CM + GM treatment). An increase of P (~2mg/100g. soil) when either manure is applied. utrient utilization efficiency by plants, the highest N, Ca and Mg utilization efficiency (NUE, CaUE and MgUE) was determined in the CM - an increase of ~25%. | A six-month pot experiment, with 3 soil amendments, used as organic fertilizers (cow manure-CM, goat manure-GM, and their mixture, i.e. CM + GM) and a controlled release fertilizer (CRF) was conducted, in order to investigate if the growth, nutrient uptake, photosystem II (PSII) activity, photosynthetic rate and total sugars of Olea europaea L. (cv. ‘Koroneiki’) plants were influenced by the kind of fertilization. | The main conclusions derived from our study were the following: a) CM and GM significantly differed in N, K, Fe and Na content, while their application influenced soil chemical properties and increased organic matter. It is clear that the kind of manure used as organic fertilizer in olive groves should be seriously taken into consideration by the olive growers before land application, since it significantly influences soil fertility, plant nutrition and physiology. | |
| Ciurli | Ciurli, A., Di Biase, G., Rossi, M., Grigatti, M., Ciavatta, C. and Cavani, L., 2024. Dried Anaerobic Digestate from Slaughterhouse By-products: Emerging Cues for a Bio-Based Fertilization. Waste and Biomass Valorization, pp.1-17. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Cattle | Cattle manure / slaughter by-products | N/A | Indicator(s) | P, N, C, MBC, Mg, pH | Fulvic Cambisol soil. Clay-loam Cambisol soil | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Application of DD had higher levels of P and inorganic nitrite/nitrate–N and ammonium-N at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days than CM and digestated manure. Cattle Manure had higher levels of Extractable organic C than DD or MIN. pH did not change but overtime, the fertilizer that decreased pH the most was MIN, followed by CM, digested manure DM and DD. | Y | DD was able to exploit its fertilizing potential as a N-P fertilizer, releasing about 26% and 10% of the N added, and about 13 and 16% of P in FC and CC respectively | The present work aims to assess the fertilizing potential of a dried anaerobic digestate (DD) produced from beef slaughtering waste, including applications with mineral fertiliser (MIN) and cattle manure (CM). DD was characterized at the physic-chemical level, particularly focusing on macro- and micronutrient contents, potentially toxic element and organic contaminants. | The short-term incubation experiment revealed that DD was able to exploit its fertilizing potential as a N-P fertilizer, releasing about 26% and 10% of the N added, and about 13 and 16% of P in FC and CC respectively, reflecting the different basal fertility of the two soils. Slaughterhouse by-products showed the potential to be converted in organic fertilizer after anaerobic digestion, raising the concrete possibility to apply DD in the soil as a bio-based fertilizers. |
| Cooledge | Cooledge, E.C., Sturrock, C.J., Atkinson, B.S., Mooney, S.J., Brailsford, F.L., Murphy, D.V., Leake, J.R., Chadwick, D.R. and Jones, D.L., 2024. Herbal leys have no effect on soil porosity, earthworm abundance, and microbial community composition compared to a grass-clover ley in a sheep grazed grassland after 2-years. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 365. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | Wales | Sheep | N/A | Extensive grazing | Indicator(s) | OC, MBC, pH, porosity, earthworm | sandy clay loam, crumb structured, Eutric Cambisol | Y | N/A | Soil health | N/A | No significant difference in levels of OC, MBC, porosity, or earthworm abundance between MSS or grass leys. | Y | additional costs to farmers utilising commercial herbal leys (with a typical seed cost of ca. £200–250 ha−1) compared to grass-clover leys (ca. £150 ha−1) is not currently rewarded through the delivery of greater below-ground ecosystem services observed during this 2-year study | 2-ha replicated-field experiment utilising a herbal or grass-clover ley (n = 3 per sward) aimed to investigate the effect of sward type on soil quality. Each sward was rotationally grazed by weaned lambs (3.2 LU ha−1) over two grazing seasons, with soil physiochemical and biological characteristics assessed after 2-years using techniques such as X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (µCT) and microbial shallow shotgun sequencing. | Conclude that the additional costs to farmers utilising commercial herbal leys (with a typical seed cost of ca. £200–250 ha−1) compared to grass-clover leys (ca. £150 ha−1) is not currently rewarded through the delivery of greater below-ground ecosystem services observed during this 2-year study. Instead, further refinement of herbal leys is needed prior to wide-scale adoption, as currently conventional grass-clover leys provide equal ecosystem benefits. |
| Cui | Cui, J., Askari, M.S. and Holden, N.M., 2014. Visual evaluation of soil structure under grassland management. Soil Use and Management, 30(1), pp.129-138. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Cattle | N/A | Extensive and intensive grazing | Indicator(s) | Size, shape and appearance, soil porosity | Sand, silt , and clay | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | There was no statistically significant relationship between Sq scores and measures indicative of farm management, but there were visual differences with farm management intensity. No relationship between Sq score and management intensity and no relationship between Sq score and soil texture. There was a significant relationship between Sq and C and N content, which suggested that Sq score was related to these chemical properties. | Y | The average Sq (1 = good 5 = poor) score of all 20 grassland soils was 2.24. | Twenty sites representing the typical range of grass-based beef and dairy production management intensity in Ireland were used to assess soil structural quality with the Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) method combined with laboratory analysis. | Current Irish grassland management intensity does not appear to cause undue soil damage as indicated by Sq score ranging from 1 to 3. However, reduced soil quality (e.g. moderate soil compaction; reduced porosity) under high management intensity indicated that soil degradation might be a future threat to sustainable grassland productivity within high input/output systems. |
| Cui | Cui, J., Askari, M.S. and Holden, N.M., 2015. Grassland soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under temperate livestock grazing. Soil Research, 53(5), pp.485-493. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Cattle | N/A | Extensive and intensive grazing | N/A | C, N, texture | sandy loam and silty clay loam | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | little difference in C and N stock according to soil texture class. Soil with 10-20-year-old grass sward contained the lowest soil C and N content, indicating that proper reseeding is necessary to maintain soil C and N storage capacity. Increased chemical N fertiliser rate did not cause changes of soil C and N content, whereas intensified stocking rate caused great changes in soil C and N content by re-locating soil C and N at depth. Moderately intensive management was associated with significantly lower C and N stocks, and highly intensive management was associated with greater capacity of soil C and N, but no interaction between texture and management intensity was found. | Y | little difference in C and N stock according to soil texture class. Soil with 10-20-year-old grass sward contained the lowest soil C and N content, Increased chemical N fertiliser rate did not cause changes of soil C and N content, whereas intensified stocking rate caused great changes in soil C and N content by re-locating soil C and N at depth. Moderately intensive management was associated with significantly lower C and N stocks, and highly intensive management was associated with greater capacity of soil C and N, but no interaction between texture and management intensity was found. | This study estimated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in relation to grazing management in Ireland, with a focus on understanding the role of management intensity derived from the interaction of stocking rate, N fertiliser rate and reseeding frequency. Soil samples were taken from depths 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm. Soil physical properties, C and N concentrations, and microbial biomass C were measured. | little difference in C and N stock according to soil texture class. Soil with 10-20-year-old grass sward contained the lowest soil C and N content, indicating that proper reseeding is necessary to maintain soil C and N storage capacity. Increased chemical N fertiliser rate did not cause changes of soil C and N content, whereas intensified stocking rate caused great changes in soil C and N content by re-locating soil C and N at depth. Moderately intensive management was associated with significantly lower C and N stocks, and highly intensive management was associated with greater capacity of soil C and N, but no interaction between texture and management intensity was found. |
| D'Annibale | D'Annibale, A., Labouriau, R., Sørensen, P., Krogh, P.H., Christensen, B.T. and Eriksen, J., 2019. Effect of acidified cattle slurry on a soil collembolan community: A mesocosmos study. European Journal of Soil Biology, 94, p.103117. | 2019 | Y | WOS | English | N/A | Cattle | Cattle Slurry | N/A | Indicator(s), Bioindicators | Soil microbial activity | Sandy soil | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Acidified slurry reduced soil pH (-0.7) whilst untreated slurry increased pH by 0.4 - 1.0 … with small declines therafter. Acidified slurry increased levels of NH4–N (By 20mg kg−1) and levels of NO3−-N (by 130~mg kg−1) all after 28 days. Untreated slurry also increase levels of NO3−-N (by 50~mg kg−1) all after 28 days. During the first 28 days of incubation, the epedaphic species S. curviseta and H. nitidus showed a three-fold increase in population density regardless of treatment - but a sharp decline therafter. | The mesocosmos experiment relied on a constructed collembolan community exposed to sandy soil mixed with untreated (U) or acidified (A) cattle slurry applied at low (L) or high (H) rate. The soil was retrieved from 0 to 25 cm depth in a field subject to long-term agricultural management. It had 6% clay, 9% silt, 44% fine sand, 39% coarse sand, pH 6.5, 1.6% carbon (C), and 0.15% N. | We conclude that the impact on Collembola of low rates of untreated and acidified slurry applied to agricultural soils is marginal while higher rates of slurry may subsequently form a favourable habitat for euedaphic species. We envisioned that high rates of slurry could negatively affect collembolan abundances due to the potential toxicity of elevated ammonium concentrations in the soil. However, most of the ammonium in the soil and that applied with slurry at the start of the incubation was nitrified or immobilized within the first 28 days of incubation; after 56 days of incubation initial concentrations of ammonium were reduced by 99% | |
| D’Hose | D’Hose, T., Ruysschaert, G., Viaene, N., Debode, J., Vanden Nest, T., Van Vaerenbergh, J., Cornelis, W., Willekens, K. and Vandecasteele, B., 2016. Farm compost amendment and non-inversion tillage improve soil quality without increasing the risk for N and P leaching. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 225, pp.126-139. | 2016 | Y | WOS | English | N/A | Cattle, Pig | Cattle Slurry, Pig Slurry | N/A | N/A | pH, SOC, Total N, ammonium lactate extractable P, Ca, Mg and K | Cambisol (sandy | N | Positive | Soil Quality | N/A | Y | 1% increase in SOC content when pig and/or cattle slurry is applied after 2 years. Cattle slurry resulted in a significantly higher Total N content (only in the 0–10 cm layer; p < 0.05) and K-AL (p < 0.05) compared to pig slurry. | We studied the effect of a combination of several measures ((i) slurry application (horizontal factor; cattle vs pig slurry), (ii) tillage practices (vertical factor; conventional tillage vs non-inversion tillage), and (iii) plant-based farm compost application (subplot factor; 0 vs 2 000 kg C ha−1 y−1) on topsoil C content, nutrient leaching and soil quality in a multi-year field trial. About one week before the sowing/planting of the crops in spring, both the pig (PS) and cattle (CS) slurry were applied at a rate of 170 kg N ha−1 y−1 | SOC levels are maintained and even slightly increased by applying slurry and good agricultural practices such as the use of cover crops and the incorporation of cereal straw. | |
| DASCĂLU | Dascălu, D., Onica, B., Stoian, V., Dumea, B., Stoian, V. and Vidican, R., 2024. Short-term changes of soil microbial functional diversity induced by mineral and organic fertilizers. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 25(4), pp.1174-1184. | 2024 | Y | Scopus | English | N/A | Cattle | Cattle slurry | N/A | N/A | pH, N-NO3, N-NH4, and community-level physiological profile (CLPP), OC, TN, P, K. |
Phaeozem soil (clay 44%, silt 28%, and 28%) | N | Positive | Soil Health | N/A | Y | Cattle manure increased soil pH by 0.7 after 30 days (cattle slurry increased pH by 0.3). CM increased N-NO3 by 36 mg/kg soil (CS increased by 17). CM increased N-NH4 by 0.7 mg/kg soil (CS decreased by 0.3). | This study examined how three organic fertilizers (slurry, cattle manure and mustard as green manure) and one chemical fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) at 150kg/ha can affect soil microbial functional diversity and soil biochemical processes. A short-term experiment was organized under controlled conditions for 30 days. Soil samples were collected every ten days in order to measure soil pH, N-NH4, N-NO3 and microbial activity as a community-level physiological profile (CLPP). The MicroResp method was used to assess community-level physiological profiles by using 15 different carbon sources and converting their catabolic activity to CO2. | These results suggest that fertilizer applications should consider the mineralization potential of different organic amendments and microbial metabolic activity to avoid soil nutrient loss and to improve soil fertility. | |
| Debska | Debska, B., Banach-Szott, M., Dziamski, A. and Gonet, S.S., 2010. Chromatographic characteristics (HPLC, HPSEC) of humic acids of soil fertilised with various organic fertilisers. Chemistry and Ecology, 26(S2), pp.49-57. | 2010 | Y | Scopus | English | N/A | Cattle | Cattle slurry | N/A | Properties | hydrophilic–hydrophobic; polydispersity of humic acid molecules | podzolic soil | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | These results indicated very clearly that, along with progress in the humification of organic matter, HA molecules demonstrate a higher percentage of hydrophilic fractions than hydrophobic fractions. As a consequence, values of the HIL/ΣHOB ratio are higher. | Y | % of hydrophilic fractions in HA molecules isolated after one year of decomposition of organic fertilisers in soil was, on average, 15.3% lower for the coarse and fine fractions, and 9.1% higher than in soil without added fertiliser. After three years, the percentage of hydrophilic fractions increased by 4.2%, whereas the percentage of hydrophobic fractions decreased by 1.9, compared with the proportion in HAs after one year of decomposition of organic fertilisers. | to determine the effect of the size of the soil particle containing organic matter, the type of organic fertiliser (cattle manure, vermicompost, straw) and the decomposition time of these fertilisers in soil on the hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties and polydispersity of humic acid molecules. In the model incubation experiment, organic fertilisers (cattle manure, vermicompost and wheat straw) were mixed with soil material (sandy texture). | Introducing organic fertilisers into soil resulted in an increase in the proportion of hydrophobic and high-molecular-mass fractions and a decrease in the hydrophilic and low-molecular-mass fractions in HA molecules. |
| Deru | Deru, J.G., Bloem, J., de Goede, R., Brussaard, L. and van Eekeren, N., 2023. Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties related to the regeneration of ecosystem services in peat grasslands. Applied Soil Ecology, 187, p.104838. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Netherlands | Dairy cattle | cattle slurry | N/A | Parameters | earthworms, fungi, SOM, pH, P, K, N, C, dry matter, Penetration resistance; soil moisture; soil structure; root density; water infiltration | Terric Histosoils | Y (SOM) | Positive | Soil Health | N/A | Y | Solid fraction manure increased earthworms (+35 % as compared to the control), which had the largest C input, earthworms reduced with inorganic N (−24 %). The highest pHKCl was found in FYM (4.62 ± 0.02). SOM increased significantly by cattle manure (~ 1g/100g) more than compost or slurry. Grass dry matter yield was similarly increased by all fertilizers (+7 to 11 %) whereas grass N yield was increased by fertilizers only when the applied N was in mineral form (+16 to 20 %). |
Evaluates the performance of organic and inorganic fertilizers in relation to soil biotic and abiotic properties linked to soil ecosystem services of peat grasslands with biodiversity goals. The six fertilizer types were: cattle slurry manure from the experimental farm with conventional management (“Slurry”), mature compost of kitchen and garden waste from a municipal composting plant (“Comp”), cattle farmyard manure from a conventional dairy farm (“FYM”), solid fraction of the cattle slurry manure (“SFrac”, obtained by pressurized filtration (Hjorth et al., 2010)), inorganic N fertilizer (“IF”; calcium ammonium nitrate, 27 % N) and a combination of inorganic N fertilizer and sawdust (“IF+SD”). | For the ecosystem service ‘support of biodiversity’, we conclude that solid fraction of cattle slurry can be an alternative for farmyard manure in grasslands with biodiversity goals due to its high C:N ratio and its positive effects on the earthworm abundance. Soil physical and chemical properties in the topsoil important for the ecosystem services ‘water regulation’ and ‘climate regulation’ were weakly influenced by fertilizers and effects may become apparent in the longer term. | |
| Deru | Deru, J.G., Bloem, J., de Goede, R., Hoekstra, N., Keidel, H., Kloen, H., Nierop, A., Rutgers, M., Schouten, T., van den Akker, J. and Brussaard, L., 2019. Predicting soil N supply and yield parameters in peat grasslands. Applied Soil Ecology, 134, pp.77-84. | 2019 | Y | WOS | English | Netherlands | Dairy cattle | N/A | Mixed grazing and cutting | Parameters | soil N supply (SNS) and apparent N recovery (ANR) | Terric Histosols | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Grass yield parameters are presented in Table 2. Mean SNS was 264kgNha−1, and fertilized N yield was 130kgNha−1 higher. This resulted in a ANR of 0.65kgNkgN−1. SNS showed a much higher variation across sites than fertilized yield. SNS was positively correlated with fertilized N yield (r=+0.83, P<0.01) and negatively with ANR (r=−0.69, P<0.01). Calculated N mineralization (238kgN ha−1). | field data from twenty dairy grasslands on drained peat (29–65% SOM; Terric Histosols). Grass yield parameters (e.g. SNS and ANR) were compared with a comprehensive data set of soil biotic and abiotic properties measured at the start of the growing season, and with N mineralization calculated from this data. The year before the experiment was conducted, the grasslands received on average 140kgNha−1 as inorganic fertilizer and 216kgNha−1 as organic fertilizer (mainly slit-injected cattle slurry; not including excretion during grazing) | Our study on twenty dairy grasslands on drained peat soils showed that SNS was high in comparison to mineral soils. The ANR was 65% on average, which is in line with values on mineral soils and indicates that considerable losses of applied N may occur in fertilized peat grasslands. Mean SNS corresponded to mean N mineralization by soil organisms calculated from measurements at the start of the growing season. Based on other correlations in our data set and on literature, we infer that grass yield was more influenced by water availability than by N mineralization, and that especially the correlation with C:SOM ratio was indicative of soil water repellency that influenced grass yield negatively |
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| Deru | Deru, J.G., Bloem, J., de Goede, R., Keidel, H., Kloen, H., Rutgers, M., van den Akker, J., Brussaard, L. and van Eekeren, N., 2018. Soil ecology and ecosystem services of dairy and semi-natural grasslands on peat. Applied Soil Ecology, 125, pp.26-34. | 2018 | Y | WOS | English | Netherlands | Dairy cattle | N/A | N/A | soil faunal (nematode, enchytraeid, microarthropod, earthworm), pH, OM, P, C, N | Terric Histosols | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Mean soil faunal taxonomic richness per site (alpha diversity) was higher in dairy grasslands compared to semi-natural grasslands. However, the total observed number of taxa (gamma diversity) in dairy grassland was 13% lower for soil fauna and 21% lower when including plant species. | Y | Marginal increases (improvements) in all soil parameters for dairy based over semi-natural (increase of: 0.4 pH; total C 1.5 g 100 g soil−1; TN 0.4 g 100 g soil−1; SOM 3.5 g 100 g soil−1; total P 0.2 g 100 g soil−1) but semi-grasslands had higher bulk density ~0.55 g cm−3 | to compare the soil ecology and related ecosystem services of dairy and semi-natural grasslands on peat soils (Terric Histosols). Soil biotic and abiotic parameters were measured in twenty dairy and twenty semi-natural sites. The dairy grasslands had a conventional management with a history of mixed grazing and cutting. The year before the measurements, the dairy grasslands received on average 140 kg N ha−1 as inorganic fertilizer and 216 kg N-total ha−1 as cattle manure (mainly slurry manure; excluding excretion during grazing). Most of the semi-natural grasslands were extensively grazed by sheep or young cattle, cut once or twice a year after the chick season of meadow birds and had a low manure input of on average 43 kg N-total ha−1 yr−1, mainly as solid cattle manure (excluding excretion during grazing). |
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| de Otálora | de Otálora, X.D., Epelde, L., Arranz, J., Garbisu, C., Ruiz, R. and Mandaluniz, N., 2021. Regenerative rotational grazing management of dairy sheep increases springtime grass production and topsoil carbon storage. Ecological Indicators, 125, p.107484. | 2021 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Sheep | N/A | regenerative rotational grazing and conventional rotational grazing | Properties | Carbon stroage, water flow regulation, nutrient cycling, biodiversity | N/A | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Regenerative rotational grazing achieved 30% higher springtime grass production and 3.6% higher topsoil carbon storage than conventional rotational grazing. The other parameters did not differ significantly between the grazing regimes. | to determine the mid-term effect of rotational grazing on soil ecosystem services and evaluate their synergies and trade-offs. A 4.5-ha experimental pasture was divided into two sections: one subjected to regenerative rotational grazing and the other to conventional rotational grazing. A flock of 135 Latxa breed dairy ewes was evenly distributed over the two areas during six consecutive years. | A regenerative rotational dairy sheep grazing management system implemented for six years showed significantly higher springtime grass production (30%) and topsoil carbon storage (3.6%) than conventional rotational grazing. In contrast, there were no significant differences between CRG and RRG in terms of water flow regulation, nutrient cycling, or biodiversity. | |
| Duffková | Duffková, R., Hejcman, M. and Libichová, H., 2015. Effect of cattle slurry on soil and herbage chemical properties, yield, nutrient balance and plant species composition of moderately dry Arrhenatherion grassland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 213, pp.281-289. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Czech Republic | Cattle | Cattle Slurry | N/A | Properties | Soil pH, total N, organic C contents and C:N ratio, K, Ca and Mg, P | cambic hyperskeletic leptosol | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | The mean annual herbage yield over years 2008–2012 was 2.58, 3.56, 4.40, 5.75 and 6.09 t ha−1 in S0–S4 treatments, respectively. Potassium increased by 254 mg kg−1; soil pH increased; mg increased by 245 mg kg−1; P increased by 44 54 mg kg−1; Nitrogen increased by 50% | We searched for an N application rate which represents an acceptable compromise between farming requirements for high soil fertility and adequate herbage production, environmental protection requirements for balanced applications of nutrients and nature conservation requirements for species-rich grasslands. We applied different annual rates of cattle slurry (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 kg N ha−1) on moderately dry Arrhenatherion grasslands over six years. | slurry application at an annual rate up to 120 kg N ha−1 seems to be an acceptable compromise between the requirements of farmers for high soil fertility and adequate herbage production, the requirements of environmental protection for balanced application of nutrients preventing soil and water pollution and the requirements of nature conservation for species-rich grasslands. | |
| Elbl | Elbl, J., Šimečková, J., Škarpa, P., Kintl, A., Brtnický, M. and Vaverková, M.D., 2020. Comparison of the agricultural use of products from organic waste processing with conventional mineral fertilizer: potential effects on mineral nitrogen leaching and soil quality. Agronomy, 10(2), p.226. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Cezch Republic | Cattle | Cattle Manure | N/A | Indicators | N, P, K, Ca, Mg, soil microbial activity | luvisol modal, sandy loam soil | N | Positive | Soil fertility | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | DG application 220 Dose of N (kg ha−1) = +222% (P) +105% (K) +16% (Ca) +5% (Mg). We observed that the optimal dose of DG, which had a positive effect on the development of microbial community, was 150 kg N ha−1 | the assessment of the effect of digestate (cattle slurry & silage) (doses of 220; 150 and 80 kg N ha−1), mineral fertilizer (150 kg N ha−1), and compost application (150 kg N ha−1) on selected indicators of soil environment: (a) soil microbial activity (basal and substrate-induced respiration); (b) plant nutrient content (P, K, Ca, Mg); (c) leaching mineral N from the soil; and (d) production of plant biomass of model plant Lactuca sativa L. | In general, it can be stated that fertilizers with a higher content of organic substances had a positive effect on soil microbial activities and thus probably on soil mineral-organic complex. Consequently, it played an important role in eliminating mineral nitrogen leaching from arable land, as all digestate or compost fertilized variants showed a demonstrably lower mineral nitrogen loss, compared to the mineral fertilizer variant. | |
| Elhottová | Elhottová, D., Koubová, A., Šimek, M., Cajthaml, T., Jirout, J., Esperschuetz, J., Schloter, M. and Gattinger, A., 2012. Changes in soil microbial communities as affected by intensive cattle husbandry. Applied Soil Ecology, 58, pp.56-65. | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Czech Republic | Cattle | N/A | cattle outdoor over-wintering practice | N/A | soil microbial community (SMC) and organic matter (SOM); Total organic carbon (Corg); Total Nitrogen; pH; | Cambisol (sandy loam) | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Ph was 3.1 (CaCl2) higher under severe cattle impact compared to no impact. Total N was 1.2 [g 100 g−1] higher; 3.5 Corg [g 100 g−1]; 300% increase soil total biomass; all measures of soil micrbial axcitivty increased. | The present field study documents substantial changes in the soil microbial community (SMC) and organic matter (SOM) in an upland pasture soil resulting from 10 years of “cattle outdoor over-wintering practice”. Soils from a long-term investigated pasture area were compared under three different levels of cattle impact (SI – severe, MI – moderate, NI – no impact). | The study described specific phenomena of over-wintering pastures, where the cyclical high input of cattle excreta into the soil during the dormant season led to the development of a qualitatively new microbial community profile derived from ruminant microflora. | |
| Eremeev | Eremeev, V., Talgre, L., Kuht, J., Mäeorg, E., Esmaeilzadeh-Salestani, K., Alaru, M., Loit, E., Runno-Paurson, E. and Luik, A., 2020. The soil microbial hydrolytic activity, content of nitrogen and organic carbon were enhanced by organic farming management using cover crops and composts in potato cultivation. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B—Soil & Plant Science, 70(1), pp.87-94. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Estonia | Cattle | Cattle manure | N/A | Properties | SOM; Total N | Stagnic Luvisol | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | Compared to conventional systems (Conv 0 and Conv II), SOC of samples collected from organic plots (Org 0 and Org II) before and after potato cultivation was higher by the ratio of 13.6% (F(1,94) = 44.99, P < 0.001) and 14.0% (F(1,94) = 33.81, P < 0.001), respectively. The Ntot content of samples collected from organic systems before potato cultivation was higher than conventional systems by 19.6% as an average of experimental years (F(1,94)=44.06, P<0.001) (Table 2). Interestingly, after potato cultivation, Ntot content of soil in organic systems (Org 0 and Org II) was higher than in conventional systems (Conv 0 and Conv II) by 20.0% (F(1,94)=40.19, P<0.001). | Six-year study was performed to evaluate the effect of cropping system on soil microbial hydrolytic activity, content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (Ntot) under potato cultivation by considering various management systems, while comparing the soil parameters after previous crop. The experiment consisted of five-field crop rotation with two different organic (Org 0 as control and Org II with winter cover crops plus added composted manure) and conventional (Conv 0 as control and Conv II with mineral N, 150 kg ha–1) farming systems. | ||
| Esteves | Esteves, C., Fangueiro, D., Mota, M., Martins, M., Braga, R.P. and Ribeiro, H., 2023. Partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with animal manures in an apple orchard: Effects on crop performance and soil fertility. Scientia Horticulturae, 322, p.112426. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Portugal | Cattle; Poultry | Cattle manure; poultry manure | N/A | Properties | Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), extractable P, exchangeable cations (K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+) and soil particle size, Soil ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3−-N), Micronutrient content (iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) | Leptosol | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | CS, ACS, CsM and PM treatments showed an increase of 38%, 40%, 80% and 66%, respectively, after three years of trial. End of 3 years cattle manure resulted in highest pH (7.7), highest levels of P (100% higher than CTRL& CS and PM) at 184.26 mg kg−1 of dry soil. And was equal to if not more with all other nutreints/properties. | In an apple orchard, chemical fertilisers (CF) were partially (25 to 57%) replaced with animal manure (cattle slurry - CS, acidified cattle slurry - ACS, cattle solid manure - CsM, and poultry manure - PM), based on the crop's nitrogen (N) requirements. | Soil organic carbon (SOC), N and exchangeable potassium (K+) were significantly higher in the manure treatments. The increase in soil K+ in the manure treatments consequently increased soil K/magnesium (Mg) ratio | |
| Fangueiro | Fangueiro, D., Ribeiro, H.M., Vasconcelos, E., Coutinho, J. and Cabral, F., 2012. Influence of animal slurries composition and relative particle size fractions on the C and N mineralization following soil incorporation. Biomass and Bioenergy, 47, pp.50-61. | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Portugal | Cattle, Pig | Cattle and Pig slurry | N/A | N/A | soil C and N mineralization/immobilization processes | a sandy loamy soil | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | pig slurry led to a higher availability of mineral N in soil (920 mg g−1 of the total N applied against 420 mg g−1 in dairy slurry. Results from modelling confirmed that a large amount of applied C in the whole dairy slurry is very stable (Cs) (about 680 mg g−1 against 209 mg g−1 in pig slurry) and should remain sequestered in soil. | Two aerobic incubations (126 days), using amended with pig and dairy slurry and their relative four particle size fractions obtained by sieving (>2000 μm, 2000–500 μm, 500–100 μm, <100 μm), were simultaneously performed, to investigate the effects of the slurries composition and respective particle size fractions on the soil C and N mineralization/immobilization processes. | pig slurry is more effective than dairy slurry in supplying N to plants but dairy slurry should be more efficient to increase soil OM content than pig slurry. | |
| Galende | Galende, M.A., Becerril, J.M., Gómez-Sagasti, M.T., Barrutia, O., Epelde, L., Garbisu, C. and Hernández, A., 2014. Chemical stabilization of metal-contaminated mine soil: early short-term soil-amendment interactions and their effects on biological and chemical parameters. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 225, pp.1-13. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Sheep, cattle, poultry | Sheep, cattle, poultry manure | N/A | Indicators | microbial and chemical properties, as well as on the phytotoxicity, of a Cd, Pb, Zn, pH | Technosol has a sandy loam texture,Mine soil | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to contaminated soil to improve health) | Y | Applications of all manures increased ph by 1.0 unit. Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) increased exponentially with poultry (80 mgCg DW soil) and cow (20 mgCg DW soil) | to assess the early short-term effects of organic amendments (sheep manure—SHEEP, poultry litter—POULTRY, cow slurry—COW, paper mill sludge mixed with poultry litter—PAPER), in sterilized and non-sterilized form, on the microbial and chemical properties, as well as on the phytotoxicity, of a Cd, Pb and Zn contaminated soil. | poultry litter and cow slurry seemed most suitable for the improvement of soil health, as reflected by the values of the soil microbial parameters determined here. | |
| Giacometti | Giacometti, C., Demyan, M.S., Cavani, L., Marzadori, C., Ciavatta, C. and Kandeler, E., 2013. Chemical and microbiological soil quality indicators and their potential to differentiate fertilization regimes in temperate agroecosystems. Applied soil ecology, 64, pp.32-48. | 2013 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Cattle | cattle manure | N/A | Indicators | pH, Organic carbon, total N, basal respiration, Enzymatic assays, | silty, mixed, mesic Udic Ustochrepts | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | manure applications compared to control (also higher for all crop residue applications): total organic carbon (TOC; g kg−1 soil) increased by 2.0; total nitrogen (TN; g kg−1 soil) increased by 0.2; pH increased by 0.3; microbial biomass carbon (Cmic; mg kg−1 soil) by 20. Significant increases in all enzyme activities (Arginine Dehydrogenase β-glucosidase Protease Urease) by almost 100% compared to control and 50% to crop residue. | The study examined the interrelationships between chemical and microbiological quality indicators of soil and their ability to differentiate plots under contrasting fertilization regimes. The soil was cropped with maize (Zea mays L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and received no organic fertilization (control), wheat straw and maize stalk (crop residue) or cattle manure (manure) in combination with increasing levels of mineral N (N0 and N200). | ||
| Giacometti | Giacometti, C., Mazzon, M., Cavani, L., Triberti, L., Baldoni, G., Ciavatta, C. and Marzadori, C., 2021. Rotation and fertilization effects on soil quality and yields in a long term field experiment. Agronomy, 11(4), p.636. | 2021 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Cattle | Cattle manure | N/A | Indicators | organic carbon, increased nutrient content (), extractable C, extractable N, microbial growth activity. | fine silty, mixed, mesic Udic Ustochrept | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | Soil amendment with manure built up soil organic carbon (+13%), increased nutrient content (+31% of extractable C and +19% of extractable N), including that of available P (+47%), and stimulated microbial growth (+34%) and activity (+8%). | investigated the combined effects of crop rotations and fertilization treatments (cattle manure) on soil quality and crop yield in a long term (about 50 years) field experiment. | Soil amendment with manure built up soil organic C stocks and acted as a nutrient reservoir, increasing soil TN and mineral N and effectively avoiding P depletion, with positive effects on corn yield. | |
| Gómez-Garrido | Gómez-Garrido, M., Martínez-Martínez, S., Faz Cano, Á., Büyükkilif-Yanardag, A. and Arocena, J.M., 2014. Soil fertility status and nutrients provided to spring barley (Hordeum distichon L.) by pig slurry. Chilean journal of agricultural research, 74(1), pp.73-82. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Pig | Pig slurry | N/A | Properties | major (N, P, K, Mg) and minor (Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn) | Typic Haplocalcid | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | D2 (340 kg N ha-1) increased NO3--N by 11.4X to 109 mg kg-1, Olsen-P by 6.9X to 423 mg kg-1, exchange K (2.5X to 1.6 cmol+ kg-1), Mg (1.7X to 1.8 cmol+ kg-1), diethylene-triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Zn (94X to 18.2 mg kg-1), and Fe (2X to 11.3 mg kg-1). Available NO3--N, Olsen-P, and DTPA-Zn have the best correlations with crop yield and nutrient uptake. | This study was conducted in the southeast of Spain to quantify the enrichments in nutrients in soils amended with D1-170 kg N ha-1 (European Union legislated dose) or D2-340 kg N ha-1, and understand the influence of pig slurry on yield and nutrient uptake in two crop seasons of spring barley (Hordeum distichon L.) | the assessment of soil fertility status at 1-mo after pig slurry addition provides a good indicator for potential yield and uptake of barley. However, it is suggested that leachates should be monitored to effectively manage potential releases of nitrate and phosphate into the environment. | |
| Griffiths | Griffiths, B.S., Ball, B.C., Daniell, T.J., Hallett, P.D., Neilson, R., Wheatley, R.E., Osler, G. and Bohanec, M., 2010. Integrating soil quality changes to arable agricultural systems following organic matter addition, or adoption of a ley-arable rotation. Applied Soil Ecology, 46(1), pp.43-53. | 2010 | Y | WOS | English | UK | Cattle | Cattle slurry | N/A | Indicators | biodiversity of the soil biota (Denitrifiers, nitrifiers, Nematode, bacteria, earthworm), physical properties (bulk density, Air permeability, water retentition) and nutrient concentrations (pH, NH4, potential nitrification rate), | sandy-loam surface texture (Dystric-Fluvic Cambisol | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | Due to slurry application: increase in bulk density (~0.3 Mg m−3), pH increased by 1.3 (control) and 0.5 (compost); and an increase between 20-50% for all soil biodiversity measures. | We integrated biological, physical and chemical properties associated with changes in soil quality using a qualitative multi-attribute model supported by the software tool DEXi to achieve a holistic estimation of soil quality from cattle slurry or green-waste compost, or from including a ley phase in the production of arable crops. | ||
| Herbin | Herbin, T., Hennessy, D., Richards, K.G., Piwowarczyk, A., Murphy, J.J. and Holden, N.M., 2011. The effects of dairy cow weight on selected soil physical properties indicative of compaction. Soil Use and Management, 27(1), pp.36-44. | 2011 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Cattle | N/A | N/A | Properties | soil moisture deficit (SMD), bulk density (BD), gravimetric water content (θg), volumetric water content (θv), total porosity (TP), soil shear strength (SSS) and penetration resistance (PR) | brown earth of sandy loam to loam texture | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | At high SMD (dry), soil was less sensitive to trampling damage than at low SMD (wet). At SMD 0mm, BD increased by 6.1% post trampling, whereas it only increased by 3.1, 4.0 and 0.5% at SMD 11, 14, and 29mm, respectively. Average soil BD was 2.3% greater immediately post trampling, and 4.6% greater in the hoof marks. | The effect of treading by dairy cows of three different weights on soil physical properties was investigated under different soil moisture deficit (SMD) treatments in the south of Ireland. | This study shows that SMD is the main factor affecting changes in bulk density (BD), soil shear strength, penetration resistance (PR) and total porosity. | |
| Holatko | Holatko, J., Bielska, L., Hammerschmiedt, T., Kucerik, J., Mustafa, A., Radziemska, M., Kintl, A., Baltazar, T., Latal, O. and Brtnicky, M., 2022. Cattle manure fermented with biochar and humic substances improve the crop biomass, microbiological properties and nutrient status of soil. Agronomy, 12(2), p.368. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | N/A | Cattle | Cattle manure | N/A | N/A | N-NH4, K, Mg (Ca), boron (B), TN, TC, C:N | N/A | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | The N-NH4 content significantly decreased in both M + H and M + B variants as compared to the M variant. Both the K and Mg contents in M + B were significantly lower as compared to M and M + H. K and Mg (positively intercorrelated) significantly negatively correlated with calcium (Ca) and boron (B) (positively intercorrelated) Due to the higher Ca content in biochar, the resulting content of Ca in M + B was significantly increased as compared to the two other variants. The Ca content correlated moderately positively with total N (r = 0.69) and negatively with N-NH4 (r = −0.71). The soil TN content (by 13%, 21%, 18%) in all manure-based variants (M, M + H, M + B, respectively) as compared to control). Significantly positively correlated with TC (r = 0.79) and moderately negatively correlated with C:N (r = −0.61). | We conducted an experiment including variants consisting of soil amended with manure (M), manure + Humac (M + H), manure + biochar (M + B), and unamended (control). Soil physico-chemical, biological, and plant properties were assessed altogether. | |||
| Holatko | Holatko, J., Hammerschmiedt, T., Kucerik, J., Kintl, A., Baltazar, T., Malicek, O., Latal, O. and Brtnicky, M., 2023. Fertilisation of permanent grasslands with digestate and its effect on soil properties and sustainable biomass production. European Journal of Agronomy, 149, p.126914. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Cezch Republic | N/A | Grass feedstock | N/A | Indicator | Total C; soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase; urease; N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase; phosphatase; β-glucosidase), carbon and nitrogen acquisition ratio and C, N and P limitation indicators; Ammonium; nitrate; mineral nitrogen; pH | Cambisol | Y | Positive / Negative | Soil health | Y | This positive effect on carbon sequestration could be ascribed to the deeper application of amended digestate via injector. Thus carbon sequestration was indicated to be directly related to the depth of SOM allocation in the soil profile (Gross and Glaser, 2021, Lorenz and Lal, 2005). On the contrary, surface application via hose presumably exposed the organic carbon derived by digestate to oxidation or (to a lesser extent) emission of methane as indicated by maximum values of CO2 and short-termed CH4 fluxes during digestate spreading on the surface of the field | Y | pH decreased by 0.49 and 0.80 in the injector and hose experimental treatments. Ammonium (N/NH4) – was significantly lower in the injector experimental treatment (~2.6mgkg). TC increased by ~1% with injection, ammonium (N/NH4) – was lower in the injector experimental treatment (~2.6mgkg), whilst nitrate (N/NO3) was higher (15mgkg). | field experiment on permanent grassland with three experimental treatments: (1) control (unamended), (2) injector (20 m3·ha-1 of digestate, applied to the soil by injection after the first and the second cut), and (3) hose (20 m3·ha-1 of digestate, applied to the soil by hose spreading device after the first and the second cut). | |
| lepema | Iepema, G., Deru, J.G., Bloem, J., Hoekstra, N., de Goede, R., Brussaard, L. and van Eekeren, N., 2020. Productivity and topsoil quality of young and old permanent grassland: an on-farm comparison. Sustainability, 12(7), p.2600. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | Netherlands | Dairy cattle | N/A | N/A | Parameters | SOM; SOC; N; botanical composition; soil texture; Ca; P; K; pH | marine clay soil | N | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | 2.6% increase in SOM in old grass; total C 15.8 (g C. kg dry soil−1) higher in old grass; Ca P and mineralizable N (57 mg N. kg dry soil−1) all higher in old grass, but K was lower and pH 0.1 higher in old grass. | measured grass productivity and soil chemical parameters of ‘young’ (5–15 years since last grassland renewal) and ‘old’ (>20 years since last grassland renewal) permanent grasslands, located as pairs at 10 different dairy farms. | The grassland N yield without N fertilization (NYN0) was significantly higher for old grassland compared to young grassland, as a result of higher soil organic matter, C-total and N-total contents in old grassland soils. On clay soils where the botanical composition of grasslands contain > 70% of desirable grasses, the presumed yield benefit of grassland renewal (sowing of the most recently developed grass varieties) is offset by a loss of soil quality (SOM and N-total). Accordingly, the current practice of grassland renewal within a relatively short time-span (every ten years) without considering the botanical composition, is counter-productive and not sustainable. Farm management should focus on minimizing the need for renewal by good grassland management, e.g., maintaining desirable grasses by grazing, ample fertilization, irrigation and preventing and ameliorating soil compaction | |
| Jordon | Jordon, M.W., 2021. Does mixed vs separate sheep and cattle grazing reduce soil compaction?. Soil Use and Management, 37(4), pp.822-831. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | UK | Beef and sheep | N/A | Mixed grazing and zero grazing | Properties | bulk density | wet acidic clays | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | bulk density in 'cattle-only' pastures increased from 0.836 to 0.875 g cm−3 from June to September 2017, compared with a small decrease of 0.875–0.871 g cm−3 in 'cattle to mixed sheep and cattle' pastures | examined the effect of stocking regime and grazing exclusion on soil compaction, using bulk density as a metric, on a UK sheep and cattle farm | Evidence of improved soil bulk density under mixed sheep and cattle grazing compared to cattle-only grazing over a 3-month summer grazing season. No evidence of significant improvements in soil bulk density after three months of grazing exclusion, suggesting that livestock exclusion for a summer grazing season (e.g. by rotating fields for silage or hay across the farm) may not be an adequate strategy to alleviate soil compaction. | |
| Kajzrová | Kajzrová, K., Kassahun, T., Pavlů, L., Pavlů, V.V. and Fraser, M.D., 2022. The effect of 19 years of restoration managements on forage quality and herbage‐soil relationships within improved upland grassland. Grass and Forage Science, 77(3), pp.167-174. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | UK | Sheep | N/A | Extensive grazing | N/A | Sward biomass; TN; OM; Ca, K, Mg, Na and P; | typical brown podzolic soils | Y | Positive | Soil health | N/A | Y | Organic components were higher under grazed only (dry matter biomass (~200 70.9 g m−2) and fibre (~100 g kg−1) but vitro OM digestibility was 3% lower. Minerals Ca, Mg and Na were significantly lower under grazed but K:P ratio was highest under grazed (5.88 ± 0.45) hay cutting was the lowest at 3.24. |
long-term effects of six different restoration management regimes (extensive sheep grazing only, hay cutting only, hay cutting followed by aftermath extensive grazing; each with and without lime application) on forage quality, and soil/herbage/sward characteristics relationships were determined and compared with a conventionally fertilized, limed and extensively grazed control. | ||
| Ma | Ma, Q., Wen, Y., Wang, D., Sun, X., Hill, P.W., Macdonald, A., Chadwick, D.R., Wu, L. and Jones, D.L., 2020. Farmyard manure applications stimulate soil carbon and nitrogen cycling by boosting microbial biomass rather than changing its community composition. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 144, p.107760. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | England | N/A | Manure | N/A | N/A | C; N; ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3−-N | Sandy loam | N | Positive | N/A | N/A | Y | Carbon content in phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) groups increased by almost 100% (1/1.5mg|gsoil) in HM compared to NM.100% increase in soil cumulative respiration from HM compared to NM. The half-life of cellulose and glucose processing under the high FYM treatment in topsoil were 16.4% and 31.0% lower than those in the synthetic NPK fertiliser treatment | Topsoils (0–23 cm) and subsoils (23–38 cm) were collected from a field trial on a sandy-textured soil where FYM had been applied at high (50–25 t ha−1 yr−1, 28 yr) and low rates (10 t ha−1 yr−1, 16 yr), and compared to soil treated only with synthetic NPK fertilisers. | Manure application significantly increased soil organic matter, total N, dissolved organic C, and NH4+ content in both top- and subsoils. Soil respiration rate increased with increasing manure application, and it was higher in the topsoil than in the subsoil. | |
| Maienza | Maienza, A., Bååth, E., Stazi, S.R., Benedetti, A., Grego, S. and Dell’Abate, M.T., 2014. Microbial dynamics after adding bovine manure effluent together with a nitrification inhibitor (3, 4 DMPP) in a microcosm experiment. Biology and fertility of soils, 50, pp.869-877. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Italy | Cattle | Manure | N/A | N/A | Respiration, microbial biomass carbon, fungal and bacterial growth, and enzyme activities | Luvisols | N | Positive | Soil health | Y (impact of cattle manure on soil health) | Y | After 28 days, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by 150μg C gSoil with manure compared to control (no treatment), whilst soil respiration increased by 6.5 μg CO2 C g Soil and a 30%-70% increase in fungal and bacteria. | estimate the effects of the addition of bovine manure effluent alone or together with a nitrification inhibitor (3,4-dymethylpyrazol-phosphate (3,4 DMPP)) on the microbial community dynamics in a Mediterranean soil in an incubation experiment over 28 days. | The application of the bovine manure effluent increased respiration, microbial biomass carbon, fungal and bacterial growth, and enzyme activities and changed the microbial community structure evaluated by the phospholipid fatty acid pattern. | |
| Martínez-Morcillo | Martínez-Morcillo, S., Barrales, I., Pérez-López, M., Rodríguez, F.S., Peinado, J.S. and Míguez-Santiyán, M.P., 2024. Mineral and potentially toxic element profiles in the soil-feed-animal continuum: Implications for public, environmental, and livestock health in three pasture-based sheep farming systems. Science of The Total Environment, 919, p.170860. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Sheep | Wool, Milk | N/A | N/A | Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb | Regosol, Acrisol, Luvisol, and Leptosol | N | Positive / Negative | Soil health | N/A | Y | Although had very low levels of Ca, soils under GZ grass was higher on all other micro and macro nutrients except for P and K, and had insignificant differences in levels of contaminants. % intake from milk (for huma consumption) under GZ grass for Na (2.7%), Mg (2-3%), P (17-35%), K (0.8-1.5%), Ca (20%) higher compared to FO and CP grazing. In CF, 21.11 % of the soil samples had low contamination (CF < 1), 53.33 % had moderate contamination (1 < CF ≤ 3), and 17.78 % had high contamination (3 < CF ≤ 6: high pollution); none of the soil samples reached the highest pollution category of (CF > 6 very high pollution). |
The objectives of this study, conducted within three different pasture-based sheep farming systems (FO: FOrest-dehesa, CP: Crop-Stubble, GZ: GraZing-Grass), were: a) to determine the mineral profiles in soil, forage, and supplied food, and to analyze their presence in serum, milk, and wool, and b) to assess the potential transfer of these minerals into the food-chain using risk assessment tools for animal, environment, and human health. | The analyzed concentrations of macromineral, trace elements, as well as toxic elements, from soil, wool, and milk suggest a potential relationship between soil quality and the composition of livestock-derived products, particularly in the Merino sheep breeding and farming system. | |
| Moreira | Matos-Moreira, M., Elvira Lopez-Mosquera, M., Cunha, M., Jesús Sáinz Osés, M., Rodríguez, T. and Carral, E.V., 2011. Effects of organic fertilizers on soil physicochemistry and on the yield and botanical composition of forage over 3 years. Journal of the air & waste management association, 61(7), pp.778-785. | 2011 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Cattle, Chicken | Cattle slurry, broiler litter | N/A | Properties | AI saturation, OM, pH, P, K, Na, Mg | humic Umbrisol | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | Al saturation levels were low after the initial inorganic liming treatment (19.00–33.71%) but tended to rise under all treatments (21.09–61.37%) except BL (8.45–30.98%). 50-80% increase in dry matter (KgHa) under all manure applications compared to control. | To measure Soil Physicochemistry (AL saturation), crop Yield and Botanical Composition, soil mixed pasture species were fertilized with cattle slurry, dairy sludge (DS), or granulated broiler litter (BL) in comparison with mineral fertilizer | Granulated chicken manure outperformed mineral fertilizers in respect to all of the soil and production variables examined in this study. In particular, it significantly increased soil pH and, more markedly, Al saturation, thus reducing or eliminating the need for separate pH amendment. DS performed similarly to mineral fertilizer in most respects, but it led to greater available P levels and significantly greater forage yield. | |
| Moreira | Matos-Moreira, M., Niemeyer, J.C., Sousa, J.P., Cunha, M. and Carral, E., 2011. Behavioral avoidance tests to evaluate effects of cattle slurry and dairy sludge application to soil¹. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, 35, pp.1471-1477. | 2011 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Cattle | Slurry | N/A | N/A | pH, OM, N, C:N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, K, AI saturation | humic, haplic and gleyic Umbrisols | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | DS resulted in marginal increases on all key indicators pH, OM, N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, AI but did have marginally lower levels of K and a C:N ratio. | Perform a preliminary ecotoxicological evaluation of the soil quality degradation after slurry and dairy sludge application to agricultural soils. Behavioral avoidance tests with Eisenia andrei (Oligochaeta) and Folsomia candida (Springtails) were performed to complement soil chemical analyses | Both fertilization strategies, conventional or with dairy sludge, contributed to soil acidity mitigation and caused no increase in soil heavy metal content no negative effects of conventional or dairy sludge fertilization on soil organisms Springtails were less influenced by soil chemical properties than earthworms and did not avoid soils fertilized with dairy sludge in any of the tested combinations. |
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| Matsi | Matsi, T.H., Lithourgidis, A.S. and Barbayiannis, N., 2015. Effect of liquid cattle manure on soil chemical properties and corn growth in Northern Greece. Experimental Agriculture, 51(3), pp.435-450. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Greece | Cattle | Liquid manure | N/A | Properties | C, total N, and available NO3-N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B | calcareous loam, classified as Typic Xerorthent | N | Positive | Soil fertility | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) | Y | Dry aboveground biomass yield of corn was 10 Mgha higher under liquid manure applications compared to control and 1-2.5 Mgha higher compared to inorganic fertiliser. Grain yield was similar for both fertilisers in year 1 and year 2 but slightly higher (1 Mgha) in year 3 under liquid manure. 120% increase in P (18.5 mg|kg) in liquid manure compared to inorganic fertiliser and 30% increase in K. No changes in soil pH but TOC increased by 2.4g|kg (~40%) in liquid manure compared to inorganic. |
a) to assess the effects of manure application on corn (Zea mays L.) yield, macro- and micronutrient concentrations and uptake to evaluate the 11-year effect of manure application on soil fertility (particularly on micronutrients availability) and chemical properties (especially on organic C and total N content). | ||
| Mayerová | Mayerová, M., Šimon, T., Stehlík, M. and Madaras, M., 2023. Improving the stability of soil aggregates using soil additives and revegetation by grassland. Plant, Soil & Environment, 69(6). | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Cezch Republic | Cattle | Cattle Manure | N/A | Properties | Soil Aggregate Stability (SAS); SOC; TN; bulk density (BD); total porosity (P) |
clay-loam Luvisol | N | Positive | Soil quality & fertility | N/A | Y | Manure increased SAS by a 24.8% and 11% in the last two years. | four-year field experiment on a clay-loam Luvisol with poor soil structure to monitor SAS following the application of additives and grassland revegetation. Treatments included: (1) the untreated control; (2) compost; (3) biochar; (4) liming; (5) cattle manure (80 t/ha); (6) woodchips; (7) woodchips + fungi inoculation; (8) pellets; (9) pellets + fungi; (10) hydrogel and (11) the change of arable land to grassland |
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| McCarthy | McCarthy, B., Delaby, L., Pierce, K.M., McCarthy, J., Fleming, C., Brennan, A. and Horan, B., 2016. The multi-year cumulative effects of alternative stocking rate and grazing management practices on pasture productivity and utilization efficiency. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(5), pp.3784-3797. | 2016 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Dairy cattle | N/A | Extensive grazing and Intenisve grazing | Parameters | Net pasture accumulation | Clay loam soil | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | Total annual net pasture accumulation was greatest in HSR [15,410 kg of dry matter (DM)/ha], intermediate for MSR (14,992 kg of DM/ha), and least for LSR (14,479 kg of DM/ha). Increase in net pasture accumulation of 1,164.4 (SE = 432.7) kg of DM/ha for each 1 cow/ha increase in SR. | evaluate the cumulative effects of alternative integrated grazing strategies, incorporating alternative stocking rate (SR) and grazing severities, on pasture productivity and grazing efficiency over multiple years within farm systems using perennial ryegrass dominant pastures. Three whole-farm SR treatments were compared over 4 complete grazing seasons (2009 to 2012 inclusive): low (2.51 cows/ha; LSR), medium (2.92 cows/ha; MSR), and high (3.28 cows/ha; HSR). | Increased SR in combination with increased grazing severity resulted in grassland pastures of higher productivity characterized by increased annual net pasture accumulation, improved pasture nutritive value, and increased grazed pasture and energy utilization capacity | |
| McCarthy | McCarthy, T., Wall, D.P., Forrestal, P.J., Casey, I.A. and Humphreys, J., 2024. Circularity of potassium in a grassland-based dairy farm on a clay loam soil. European Journal of Agronomy, 160, p.127329. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | Ireland | Dairy cattle | N/A | Conventional | Properties | K; bulk density; Cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC), total inorganic carbon (TIC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) | Grey Brown Podzolics; Clay loam soil | N | Positive / Negative | Soil fertility | Y (potassium run-off to water) | Y | K leaching from the farm was (mean ± SE kg ha−1) 6.9 ± 6.13. Leaching of K to groundwater represented the majority (55 %) of K exiting the farm averaged over the 18-year dataset. average farm K balance was 41 ± 12kgha−1 and ranged between −36 and 136kgha−1. Annual K loss to groundwater bulk density (1.05 gcm−3); total porosity (60.32) Cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH (6.8) total carbon (TC, 83.1 ha), total inorganic carbon (TIC, 2.5ha) and soil organic carbon (SOC, 80.6 ha) | (i) quantify K entering and exiting a grassland-based dairy farm including K lost to water, (ii) to relate the balance between K entering and existing the farm to soil K fertility status in order to (iii) design a better K fertilisation strategy for grassland under temperate climatic conditions. | ||
| Moeskops | Moeskops, B., Buchan, D., Van Beneden, S., Fievez, V., Sleutel, S., Gasper, M.S., D’Hose, T. and De Neve, S., 2012. The impact of exogenous organic matter on SOM contents and microbial soil quality. Pedobiologia, 55(3), pp.175-184. | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Belgium | Cattle | Manure and slurry | N/A | Indicators | SOC; TN; pH; MBC; enzyme activity | Alfisol with a silt loam texture | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yeild) and arable soil quality | Y | CSL increased SOC by 1.25% a 0.25% increase. FYM increased SOC by 1.38% a 0.38% increase. CSL increased TN by 0.012% and FYM by 0.018%. Positive impact of FYM on enzyme activities, in particular β-glucosidase and β-glucosaminidase activity (10%-60% increase compared to other fertilisers) | Eight fertilization strategies were compared in a field trial on Alfisol in Belgium (humid temperate climate): cattle slurry (CSL at 77.38 mgha); farmyard manure (FYM at 64.33 mgha) | FYM resulted in a significantly higher soil quality than the other treatments. We conclude that farmyard manure seems to be the preferred organic amendment for maintaining soil quality in arable fields under temperate climatic conditions. Higher soil quality scores of FYM are linked with higher yields. | |
| Monard | Monard, C., Jeanneau, L., Le Garrec, J.L., Le Bris, N. and Binet, F., 2020. Short-term effect of pig slurry and its digestate application on biochemical properties of soils and emissions of volatile organic compounds. Applied Soil Ecology, 147, p.103376. | 2020 | Y | WOS | English | France | Pig | Pig slurry | N/A | Properties | soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC); OM; Soil microbial biomass; CO2 emissions and VOCs | silt loam | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | Signficant but short lived (100%) increase in Microbial carbon biomass (μg g-1 dry soil) compared to control. DOC content that was 2.8 and 2.6 times higher for PS and DPS than in the control soil. | The consequences of digested (DPS) and undigested PS use as organic soil fertilizer (applied 4.25 liters per m2) on soil microbial and biochemical properties and C-gas emissions (CO2 and volatile organic compounds) were studied during a two-month incubation. | The application of both slurries to soil led to a similar increase in soil DOC contents, microbial C-biomass and soil respiration, and disturbed soil microbial communities | |
| Newll-Price | Newell-Price, J.P., Whittingham, M.J., Chambers, B.J. and Peel, S., 2013. Visual soil evaluation in relation to measured soil physical properties in a survey of grassland soil compaction in England and Wales. Soil and Tillage Research, 127, pp.65-73. | 2013 | Y | WOS | English | England; Wales | Dairy, beef, sheep | N/A | Intensive grazing; zero grazing | Indicator | VSA; soil structure; bulk density; penetration resistence | heavy’, ‘medium’, ‘sandy and light silty’, ‘chalk and limestone’ and ‘peaty | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | 8% of the grassland fields were in poor condition ±3, 54% (±6) in moderate condition and 38% (±6) were in good condition. 12% (±4) of fields were in poor condition (‘St’ score < 4.0), 63% (±6) in moderate condition (‘St’ score 4.0–7.0) and 25% (±5) in good condition (‘St’ score > 7.0). Both VSA and St strongly related. | (VSA) method from New Zealand and the Peerlkamp (soil structure – ‘St’) method were used alongside more widely accepted physical measurements of soil compaction (e.g. bulk density – BD and penetration resistance). Soil structural condition was investigated in 300 fields located on 150 farms, with one ‘mainly grazed’ field and one ‘mainly cut’ field selected on each farm. | around 10% of grassland soils were in poor condition, around 60% in moderate condition and around 30% in good condition. | |
| Pacheco | Pacheco, C.A., Oliveira, A. and Tomaz, A., 2023. Effects of mineral and organic fertilization on forage maize yield, soil carbon balance, and NPK budgets, under rainfed conditions in the Azores Islands (Portugal). International Journal of Plant Production, 17(3), pp.463-475. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Portugal | Dairy cattle | Slurry | N/A | Parameters | soil carbon (SC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K); pH | Andic Cambisols | N | Positive | Soil fertility | Y (Manure applied to crop to imporve yield) | Y | Although dairy slurry increased levels of SOC, organic substrate and green waste resulted in higher levels of N, P, K, and pH. Maize yield was very significantly higher in TB (59,119 kg ha−1) than in TA (47,054 kg ha−) | The effects of two fertilization schemes, (i) a combination of mineral fertilizers with dairy farm slurry (TA: 30 kg ha−1 of slurry from dairy farms (NPK = 2.1:0.23:1.8 (kg per 100 kg) and (ii) an organic substrate (SO) from green waste (TB), on soil fertility and forage maize (Zea mays L.) yield | The use of compost may contribute to a reduction in the inputs of chemical fertilizers, improve soil physicochemical properties, and enhance agriculture circularity. | |
| Pérès | Pérès, G., Bellido, A., Curmi, P., Marmonier, P. and Cluzeau, D., 2010. Relationships between earthworm communities and burrow numbers under different land use systems. Pedobiologia, 54(1), pp.37-44. | 2010 | Y | WOS | English | France | Cattle | N/A | Rotational grazing (organic) | Indicator | Earthworm communities; burrow number | sandy loam Humic Cambisol | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | Earthworm abundance was higher under pastures than maize (95% increase & 90.3% increase). Permanent pasture presented significant higher earthworm abundance (153.3 individuals m−2) than rotation pasture (24.6 individuals m−2) (84%). The burrow number was higher at Rennes than at Quimper, (31% more under pasture than maize). | This study addresses the influence of three different land use systems (continuous maize, pasture/maize rotation, permanent pasture) on the relationships between earthworm populations and the number of earthworm burrows quantified in a soil profile. | burrow number quantification from the soil profile does not provide accurate information about earthworm abundance … farmers should not use the number of pores as an indicator of earthworm abundance, but as an indicator of earthworm activity which could be integrated in an indicator of soil quality. No relationship was observed between earthworm abundance and mean number of burrows quantified in the soil profile | |
| Plisková | Plisková, J., Pospíšilová, L., Nerušil, P., Šimon, T. and Menšík, L., 2023. Effect of Grasslands Fertilisation on Soil Organic Matter Quality and Nutrients Status. Agriculture, 69(3), pp.129-139. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | Cezch Republic | Cattle | FYM; slurry | N/A | Parameters / properties | SOM, soil reaction, and the content of available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) |
Haplic Fluvisol | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | 1% increase in SOC; 0.2% increase in humic substances and 0.3% increase in humic acids, fulvic acids ratio, pH increased by 0.7; highest P content was reached after the FYM application (166 mg/kg control = 46); highest K content was reached after the FYM amending (309 mg/kg control = 118); highest Mg and Ca content was reached after the FYM (396 mg/kg control = 250), resp. Ca= 2,456 mg/kg control = 1976) |
To evaluate the effect of mineral fertilising (NPK), farmyard manure (29.9 t/ha), cattle slurry (8.2 t/ha), and digestate applications in intensively used permanent grassland on SOM and nutrient quality | Higher SOM quality was after the farmyard manure, Slurry, and Digetsate applications. The highest acidity (indicated by the lowest values of pH/KCl) was determined in the control, NPK, Slurry, and D variants. the highest SOC, Ntot, HS, HA, P, K, and Mg content, and the highest soil productivity and sustainability; application of slurry – high SOC, Ntot, HS, HA, P, K, and Mg content, high soil productivity and sustainability |
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| Ponge | Ponge, J.F., Pérès, G., Guernion, M., Ruiz-Camacho, N., Cortet, J., Pernin, C., Villenave, C., Chaussod, R., Martin-Laurent, F., Bispo, A. and Cluzeau, D., 2013. The impact of agricultural practices on soil biota: a regional study. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 67, pp.271-284. | 2013 | Y | WOS | English | France | Cattle, poultry, pig | Slurry | N/A | N/A | endogeic earthworms, bacterivorous nematodes and macrofauna, SOM, saprophages, Anecic earthworms; Endogeic earthworms; macroacroarthropods and mollusks; Epigeic springtails and microbial biomass | Soil quality | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | Slurry application elicited a positive response of some biota, in particular endogeic earthworms, bacterivorous nematodes and macrofauna relying on SOM, i.e. saprophages. 40% increase in Anecic earthworms; 46% Endogeic earthworms; 41% increase in macroacroarthropods and mollusks ....... but reductions in Epigeic springtails and microbial biomass (~90mgCkg). | Permanent meadows to permanent crops: soil biota (earthworms, other macrofauna, microarthropods, nematodes, microorganisms) were sampled according to a standardized procedure, together with visual assessment of a Humus Index. | we suggest to consider only biota (and preferably a limited array of easily identifiable organisms or bulk biological variables such as microbial biomass) in a composite indicator of soil ‘health’ and to detect community changes after discarding the influence of factors not directly influenced by human activities. | |
| Pun | Pun, I., Galdos, M.V., Chapman, P.J., Lloyd, I.L., Banwart, S., Dobbie, S. and Collins, L., 2024. Measuring and modelling the impact of outdoor pigs on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics under a changing climate and different management scenarios. Soil Use and Management, 40(1), p.e13029. | 2024 | Y | WOS | English | England | Pig | N/A | Mixed crop and livestock (organic) | N/A | SOC, bulk density, pH, TN, P | loamy, calcareous brown earth (cambisol) | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | SOC stocks in the soil depths of 0–10cm and 10–20 cm layer were decreased by 7% and 3%, respectively, in the pig pens from 2019 to 2020. Bulk density was significantly higher in the pig pens compared with the control sites in 2019–1.71gcm−3 and 1.60gcm−3, respectively. TN and P were significantly higher in pig pens than the control sites. 2.68 mg kg−1 in control and 21.76 in the pig pens. P was 37.02 mg kg−1 in control sites and 63.58 mg kg−1 in pig pens during 2019 and 2020 at 0-20cm. | Combined experimental and modelling approach to understand the impact of outdoor pigs on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics. The physio-chemical properties of arable soil were measured prior to the introduction of the pigs and after introducing the pigs at the end of first and second years, consecutively. There was assessment of control sites (without pigs, mowing once a year) and pig pens (pigs in a rotation with arable crops). The soil was sampled at two different depths, 0–10cm and 10–20cm | Arable land management with livestock rotation is important for both soil quality and animal welfare. The inclusion of pigs in an arable livestock rotation has been studied far less than the inclusion of other livestock such as cattle and sheep. The loss of SOC stock could be decreased by shortening the period of pig retention in the field, growing grass in the field, and leguminous crops in the crop rotation. | |
| Roesch | Roesch, A., Weisskopf, P., Oberholzer, H., Valsangiacomo, A. and Nemecek, T., 2019. An approach for describing the effects of grazing on soil quality in life-cycle assessment. Sustainability, 11(18), p.4870. | 2019 | Y | WOS | English | Switzerland | Dairy cattle | N/A | N/A | Indicator; parameters | Soil compaction (“macropore volume” and “aggregate stability”) | sandy soil, silty soil, loamy soil, clayey soil | N | Positive / Negative | Soil quality | N/A | Y | 79% of all farms showed no negative effects of grazing activities on aggregate stability, and 64% of all farms showed no negative effects on macropore volume at 10 cm soil depth | Developed a new approach for estimating the extent of soil compaction due to grazing animals based on the soil mechanical method for calculating stress distribution in soils under wheel tracks of agricultural vehicles. We tested the approach using data from several hundred Swiss dairy farms. | The key factors affecting compaction in the new approach are stocking density, duration of grazing period, daily grazing hours, soil moisture, and soil firmness, together with parameters specifying characteristics of the grazing animals (such as weight, hoof/clay dimensions, and daily walking distance). | |
| Ruiz | Romero-Ruiz, A., Rivero, M.J., Milne, A., Morgan, S., Meo Filho, P., Pulley, S., Segura, C., Harris, P., Lee, M.R., Coleman, K. and Cardenas, L., 2023. Grazing livestock move by Lévy walks: Implications for soil health and environment. Journal of Environmental Management, 345, p.118835. | 2023 | Y | WOS | English | England | Cattle | N/A | conventionally- and rotationally-grazed pastures | Properties | Soil bulk density; soil compaction | N/A | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | An increase in bulk density of 20 and 24% due to grazing for SS2 and CG2, respectively and an increase in penetration resistence of 90 and 130% for SS2 and CG2. Mean number of steps per square meter were 20% higher in CG. | Here we explored grazing livestock movement and the associated impacts from two contrasting stocking methods on soil physical properties: conventional grazing (termed here as set stocking, SS) and cell-grazing (CG). | Predicted post-grazing management-specific bulk densities were consistent with field measurements and confirmed that rotational grazing produced similar disturbance as conventional grazing despite hosting higher stock densities. | |
| Sandor | Sandor, M. and Schrader, S., 2012. Interaction of earthworms and enchytraeids in organically amended soil. North-western journal of zoology, 8(1). | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Germany | Cattle | Manure | N/A | Parameters | pH, nitrogen (N-NH4+, N-NO3-, Nt), organic carbon | N/A | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y | Y | Whilst both organic treatments positively increased all indicators: 110% increase in Enchytraeid populations under manure treatment. Consumption rate of manure reached a value of 63% in earthworm treatments, 100% in mixed earthwormenchytraeid treatments, 38% in enchytraeid treatments and 25.6% in control treatments, respectively. |
investigate earthworm-enchytraeid-interactions during decomposition of two organic sources, i.e. barley straw and cattle manure | ||
| Shakoor | Shakoor, A., Bosch-Serra, À.D., Alberdi, J.R.O. and Herrero, C., 2022. Seven years of pig slurry fertilization: impacts on soil chemical properties and the element content of winter barley plants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(49), pp.74655-74668. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Pig | Pig slurry | N/A | Properties | Organic carbon, available P and K, and total P, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb, Cu, Mn, and Zn | silty-loam soil | N | Positive | Soil fertility | Y (Manure applied to crop to imporve yield) | Y | After 7 years no changes in pH, cation exchange, total Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, and Cr. OC increased by 20% and TN by 33% (high slurry), Olsen P increased by 3.1 mg P kg −1 soil for every 100 kg P ha−1, 110% increase in K. | Five fertilization treatments, control (no N applied), mineral fertilizer (90 kg N ha−1), and different N doses of pig slurry (146, 281, 534 kg N ha−1), were applied at sowing of a barley crop. | An average pig slurry dose of 146 kg N ha−1 produced barley grain yields (~ 3–4 Mg ha−1) as high as those obtained with mineral fertilization or with doses with a higher N content. Such dose also increased soil organic carbon, total N, available P and K, and total Cu and Zn to levels within acceptable fertility ranges, and did not significantly affect heavy metal concentrations Organic carbon, available P and K, and total P in soil increased with slurry dose. No differences were found in Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb soil concentrations. Slurries increased Cu, Mn, and Zn extractions and plant concentrations of P in straw and Zn in grain. However, the lowest slurry rate was able to maintain the highest grain yields while improving fertility. | |
| Šimon | Šimon, T., Kunzová, E. and Friedlová, M., 2015. The effect of digestate, cattle slurry and mineral fertilization on the winter wheat yield and soil quality parameters. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Cezch Republic | Cattle | Cattle slurry | N/A | N/A | Total organic carbon (C), total organic nitrogen (N), hot water soluble C, microbial biomass C and hydrophobic soil components |
Orthic Luvisol, clay loam | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (Manure applied to crop to imporve yield) | Y | cattle slurry increased grain yeild to 9.73 t/ha rom non-fertilized control (5.68 t/ha) | the effect of application of digestate, straw, cattle slurry and inorganic fertilizers on crop yield and soil organic matter content. Total organic carbon (C), total organic nitrogen (N), hot water soluble C, microbial biomass C and hydrophobic soil components were evaluated in soil from the field experiment in PragueRuzyně (Orthic Luvisol, clay loam) with winter wheat |
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| Soares | Soares, P.R., Pato, R.L., Dias, S. and Santos, D., 2022. Effects of grazing indigenous laying hens on soil properties: Benefits and challenges to achieving soil fertility. Sustainability, 14(6), p.3407. | 2022 | Y | WOS | English | Portugal | Chicken | Laying hens | N/A | Properties | TN, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, extractable macronutrients P2O5 and K2O, extractable micronutrient Mn, all exchangeable bases (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+), soil pH, and soil electrical conductivity | sandy loam | N | Positive | Soil fertility | N/A | Y | Although a slight decrease in certain trace elements (zn,Cu,Fe), there were expoential increases in all other parameters espeically after 10 days. But there were slight decreases in OC and bulk density. | effects of indigenous laying hens in 22 soil parameters, including chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters, in two farms from the central region of Portugal: an organic horticultural field (A) and a conventional orchard (B). At farm A, the animals grazed during the dry period for 84 continuous days, at a density of 4 m2 per hen. At farm B, the animals grazed during the wet period, at a density of 3.50 m2 per hen, in two periods (34 + 33 days), with a 50 day break period in between grazing. | Crop–livestock integration fosters a holistic view of the farm system that can lead to farm resilience and farm sustainability. Laying hens improve several soil chemical parameters, crop growth. An increase in extractable macronutrients P2O5 and K2O, mineral nitrogen (NH4+-N and NO3−-N), and exchangeable bases Ca2+ and Mg2+ in both farms. The hens additionally increased the levels of TN; extractable micronutrients Cu, Zn, and Mn; and exchangeable bases K+ and Na+ in at least one of the farms that were studied. | |
| Sonneveld | Sonneveld, M.P.W., Heuvelink, G.B.M. and Moolenaar, S.W., 2014. Application of a visual soil examination and evaluation technique at site and farm level. Soil use and management, 30(2), pp.263-271. | 2014 | Y | WOS | English | Netherlands | Dairy cattle | N/A | N/A | Indicators | pH, bulk density, organic carbon, soil organic matter (SOM), soil colour, soil structure, soil mottles, porosity, rooting depth, earthworms, surface cover and tillage pan | Fluvisols | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | 81% of sites were assessed as good and the remainder as moderate to poor | to develop and apply a protocol for application of a VSEE technique at site level, to assess the VSEE observations against standardized laboratory analyses and to aggregate VSEE observations to farm level using an appropriate sampling design. The study was conducted at ten dairy farms in a reclaimed polder in the Netherlands with clay and organic soils. A stratified random sampling design was used to account for spatial variability in land use and soil series. | ||
| Vasileva | Vasileva, V. and Kostov, O., 2015. Effect of mineral and organic fertilization on alfalfa forage and soil fertility. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 27(9), pp.678-686. | 2015 | Y | WOS | English | Bulgaria | Cattle | Cattle manure | N/A | Indicators | Humus, OC, N, TN, dry mass yield, dry root mass |
chernozem | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | dry mass yield was 15.9% with manure compared to mineral fertilizer, there was 614-1371 kg/ha additional root mass. Humus content in the soil after manure fertilization was from 10.9 to 41.9% higher as compared to humus content after mineral one | Effect of low and high doses of mineral and organic fertilization on the quality of top yield and root mass of alfalfa and its effect oon formation of quality of soil organic matter in dry condition were studied in a ield trial | The decreased of organic matter content in European soils and other countries in the world, soil fertility, rising energy and nitrogen fertilizer costs over the past decades, the role of alfalfa as a builder o soil organic matter and conservation of the soil fertility will likely gain more ecological and economical importance in the future for soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. | |
| Yagüe | Yagüe, M.R., Bosch-Serra, À.D., Antúnez, M. and Boixadera, J., 2012. Pig slurry and mineral fertilization strategies' effects on soil quality: Macroaggregate stability and organic matter fractions. Science of the Total Environment, 438, pp.218-224. | 2012 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Pig | Pig slurry | N/A | Parameters | aggregate stability, soil organic matter (SOM) physical fractions and soil microbial biomass (SMB) | silty loam | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | PS increased SOM and SMB: SOM increased by up to 34% with every 10 t ha− 1 organic C applied, and on SMB (up to 53% increment) | Eight fertilization strategies were evaluated on the soil quality parameters' aggregate stability, soil organic matter (SOM) physical fractions and soil microbial biomass (SMB). Six strategies used different pig slurries (PS) which provided organic matter from 1.7 to 2.6 t ha− 1 yr− 1, the rest (mineral N fertilization and a control) did not | The use of slurry in these dryland agricultural systems, at agronomic rates, can be recommended as it has a positive impact on soil quality parameters: aggregate stability, light soil organic matter and soil microbial biomass. | |
| Yagüe | Yagüe, M.R., Domingo‐Olivé, F., Bosch‐Serra, À.D., Poch, R.M. and Boixadera, J., 2016. Dairy cattle manure effects on soil quality: porosity, earthworms, aggregates and soil organic carbon fractions. Land Degradation & Development, 27(7), pp.1753-1762. | 2016 | Y | WOS | English | Spain | Dairy | Dairy cattle | N/A | Properties | wetting stress disaggregation, porosity, soil organic carbon (SOC) | Oxiaquic Xerofluvent | N | Positive | Soil quality | Y (manure applied to crop to increase yield) | Y | For a period of eleven years, the increment of SOC in manured plots: 30 or 60 Mg ha−1 applied, ranged from 3.9–4.9 g C kg soil−1 to 6.7–9.1 g C kg soil−1 respectively, when compared with mineral fertilization. Fertilization, whatever is the nature of the fertilizers (minerals or manures), enhances the presence of pores in the upper size class (>400 µm) | effect of additions of dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure (DCM) during a period of 11 years were evaluated in a soil under irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture. DCM was applied at sowing, at wet-weight rates of 30 or 60 Mg ha−1yr−1 (30DCM or 60DCM). These were compared with a mineral-N treatment (300 kg N ha−1, MNF), applied at six to eight emerged leaves and with a control (no N, no manure). | The annual use of manure in these agricultural systems, at low rates such as 30 Mg ha−1, can be recommended because of the positive impacts on soil quality parameters and the achievement of high yields. Applying higher annual manure rates such as 60 Mg ha−1 is a more risky option for a long-term sustainable management strategy (high nutrient addition in relation to the crop's needs), as there may be groundwater water quality concerns (e.g. leaching of nitrates). | |
| Zani | Zani, C.F., Gowing, J., Abbott, G.D., Taylor, J.A., Lopez‐Capel, E. and Cooper, J., 2021. Grazed temporary grass‐clover leys in crop rotations can have a positive impact on soil quality under both conventional and organic agricultural systems. European Journal of Soil Science, 72(4), pp.1513-1529. | 2021 | Y | WOS | English | England | Dairy cattle | N/A | Conventional; organic | Indicators | chemical (pH; available phosphorus (P); potassium (K)), physical (bulk density, BD; aggregate stability, AS) and biological (total carbon (C); microbial biomass carbon, MBC) | Dystric Stagnosol | N | Positive | Soil quality | N/A | Y | P (130%) significantly higher in CON compared to organic; 80% higher in grazed compared to non-grazed; organically grazed systems has higher K (~20-40% increase to CON & NG); Grazing under CONV decreased bulk density but increased under organic (~30%) at 30cm depth. | How agricultural systems (conventional vs. organic), grazing regime (non-grazed vs. grazed) and the different proportions of temporary grass-clover leys in crop rotations (ley time proportion, LTP) affect SQ (indicators were measured at three depth intervals (0–0.15, 0.15–0.30, 0.30–0.60m) within a mixed (cropping and pasture/dairy system) commercial farming enterprise in the UK | Reviving mixed farming systems may be a key factor in delivering multifunctional agroecosystems that maintain SQ and optimize ecosystem services, including nutrient recycling/release and utilization. This still needs more research, particularly in furthering knowledge on how subsoil SQ indicators respond to management and also on economic considerations of any proposed changes in management. |