The carbon balance of temperate grasslands part II: The impact of pasture renewal via direct drilling

Abstract

Pasture renewal (or pasture renovation) is a common management practice in grass-based production systems aimed at restoring pasture production and forage quality. It is important to understand the impact of pasture renewal on soil organic carbon stocks.Here we report the CO2 and C balance of three blocks of an intensively managed temperate grassland in New Zealand. Two blocks underwent pasture renewal using the spray and direct drill approach (no ploughing), while the third block served as an undisturbed Control. Net ecosystem production (NEP) was measured using eddy covariance, and additional in- and outputs of C (e.g. C in pasture removed by grazers and returned in dung) either measured or estimated.NEPs of the renewed blocks were between 149 and 212gCm−2 y−1 lower than the NEP of the Control block during the year of pasture renewal. While CO2 sink strength was obviously diminished as a result of pasture renewal, neither renewed block was a source for CO2, presumably due the relatively warm climate which enabled year-round growing conditions.Despite the non-negative NEPs during the year of pasture renewal, both renewed sites were found to lose soil C as indicated by the negative net ecosystem carbon balances (NECBs). NECBs of the renewed blocks were −156 and −222gCm−2y−1, compared to a near-neutral NECB of the Control block.Comparison of the findings from the current study on pasture renewal without ploughing to those from an earlier study on pasture renewal including ploughing led to the following conclusions: i) our data did not suggest lower rates of respiratory CO2 losses when spray-and-direct-drill approach was used instead of ploughing; ii) as both the direct CO2 losses due to microbial degradation and the decrease in CO2 uptake through photosynthesis contribute to the total impact of pasture renewal on NEP, the duration of fallow period was found to be important in determining the short-term CO2 losses due to pasture renewal, with shorter fallow period leading to lower net CO2 losses; iii) addition of C in the form of manure, effluent, or extra supplemental feed for cattle may help to reduce the negative impact of pasture renewal on soil C loss at the renewed site.