Reduce Soil Compaction Research Articles

Computing the pressure of agricultural tractors on soil and mapping its compaction

Manufacturers of agricultural machines, when designing, pay a little attention to its impact on soil, thus producing models with high compression loads on the soil or with a small contact area between the tyres/tracks and the soil surface. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the negative impact of both wheeled and tracked agricultural tractors on the soil, in terms of soil compaction, and its causes (i. e. design features of tractor tyres/tracks), during the last six decades (i. e. from 1961 to 2021). Soil compaction is caused by the pressure applied by agricultural machines on the soil through the contact area of their tyres/tracks with the soil surface. So, the main indicator of the negative impact on the soil by the tractors manufactured during the last 60 years, i. e. the average pressure applied by the tyres or tracks of tractors manufactured in EU and in the post-Soviet cuntries from 1961 to 2021 to the soil, was computed. A general decrease of the average pressure of the tyres/tracks on the soil can be observed in 1980s and 1990s, followed by its general increase since 2000, above all for the tractors having power higher than 140 kW. Thus, there is an urgent need to assess spatial and temporal changes in soil vulnerability to compaction, that depends on weather conditions and soil properties, as well as agricultural management practices, and can only be fully assessed by means of a combination of traditional techniques (i. e. use of soil cone penetrometer followed by 2D mapping using GIS or 3D mapping through geostatistics) and mechanical approaches (i. e. computation of agricultural machine parameters – soil contact area). The results show that tractor manufacturers did not take care of reducing soil compaction during the considered period.

Agricultural Tire Test: Straw Cover Effect on Reducing Soil Compaction by Cargo Vehicles

Agricultural cargo vehicles are responsible for applying severe soil pressures. However, the ground straw cover can attenuate the loads applied by wheels to the soil surface. This research evaluated the effect of three tires, p1—Radial Very Flex, p2—Radial Improved Flex, and a p3—Bias Ply tire, on three amounts of straw on the soil surface (0, 15, and 30 Mg ha−1). We adopted a completely randomized design (CRD) with a rigid surface for three replications for the total contact area and punctual area claws. The soil bin test verified the deformable surface, tread marks, and soil penetration resistance (SPR). The tire’s claw design determines its punctual contact area, and the construction model determines the total contact area. The contact area in the soil bin increased linearly due to a increase in straw covering, reducing sinkage; p2 to 30 Mg ha−1 straw shows the most significant contact area, p1 and p3 showed no difference. A straw increase from 0 to 30 Mg ha−1 increased the contact areas by 25.5, 38.0, and 20.0% for p1, p2, and p3, respectively. Compared to the rigid surface, the p1 and p3 contact areas in the soil bin increased 6.2, 6.8, and 7.8 times in bare soil, 15, and 30 Mg ha−1; for p2, this increase was up to 4.2, 4.5, and 5.9 times on the same surfaces. Keeping the straw on the soil improves its physical quality by reducing the SPR, so the straw has a buffer function in the wheel–soil relationship.

The Contribution of Conservation Agriculture on Environmental Protection in Rwanda

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the contribution of Conservation agriculture on Environmental protection in Rwanda: case of Kayonza District. Materials and Methods: The study reviewed different studies related to Conservation agriculture and Environmental protection and used qualitative and quantitative approaches. The Data were collected using a questionnaire and face-to-face interview on Sample composed by 404 Respondents from Kayonza district. The data collected and analyzed by using Distributive statistics. Findings: The study indicated that CA techniques are contributing in environmental protection and there is a relationship between adopting Conservation Agriculture (CA) techniques and environmental protection. The decrease in organic matter content and high soil erosion are affecting soil fertility and health and one of the main causes of global warming is also intensive chemical fertilization of agricultural crops. In contrast, CA techniques combine minimum soil disturbance, mulching, water holding capacity, reduce soil compaction, reduce soil erosion and improve soil fertility and application of organic fertilizers and re use of crop residues, Study have shown that farmers who adopt CA experience the improvement and there improve. The study underscores the importance of adopting CA techniques to reduce the cost and protect environment. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: By adopting CA practices, farmers can contribute to the protection of natural resources, conservation of biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change while maintaining agricultural productivity by promoting sustainable land management practices that conserve soil, water, and biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts, and reduce environmental degradation associated with conventional agricultural practices. But not all small holder farmers involved in implementing all CA techniques due to different factors, NGOs and Government can collaborate to develop subsidies, grants, and funding programs specifically aimed to promote conservation agriculture. By adopting CA techniques, agriculture in the next decade will have to sustainably produce more food from less land through more efficient use of natural resources and with minimal impact on the environment in order to meet growing population demands.

Effect of cattle manure on soil compaction in the brazilian semi-arid region

Soil organic matter is seen as the most important factor in the assessment of soil management systems that affect soil quality and agricultural sustainability. Cattle manure added to crop residues left on the surface of the soil or incorporated have been used on agricultural properties in the semi-arid region of Brazil in the crop-livestock production system as an alternative for sustainable production. However, information on the benefits that this system can bring regarding the physical and mechanical properties of the soil is still limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cattle manure on soil susceptibility to compaction, using the Proctor test. Samples of a “Neossolo Fluvico Ta Eutrofico” were collected at depths of 0 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm and 10 to 20 cm of an area cultivated with corn in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The Proctor test was carried out in the laboratory with samples obtained from depths of 0 to 5cm and 5 to 10cm without and with the addition of 15% and 30% of cattle manure. The experimental design was randomized blocks, arranged in a 3x2x3 factorial consisting of soil without manure, soil with 15% manure and soil with 30% manure from both depths and three replications. The maximum soil density, water content and organic carbon were evaluated. The results indicate that cattle manure can be an effective alternative in crop-livestock production systems on agricultural properties in the Brazilian semi-arid region, reducing soil compaction and leveraging agribusiness with sustainability.

Development of spoke structure for agricultural non-pneumatic tire based on the decrease in soil compaction

Pneumatic tires are unsuitable for agricultural machinery due to their susceptibility to punctures from stumps in plantations. To address this, non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) were developed. This study experimented with and simulated the Michelin TWEEL NPT on sandy clay loam soil. An integrated method combining the finite element method and an empirical model was used to simulate NPT-soil compaction. A custom tire-soil compaction machine measured soil sinkage, aligning well with the experimental data. A novel arrow-shaped spoke for agricultural NPTs, made from polyurethane, significantly reduced soil compaction. Future work will involve prototyping and manufacturing this innovative agricultural NPT.

Straw Use to Reducing Soil Compaction and Its Effect on the Biometric and Physiological Characteristics of Soybean and Maize Plants

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the straw to decrease the bulk density of sandy clay loam and clay soils and to determine the effect of this on the development of soybean and maize plants. The soils were compacted using Proctor test with different amounts of crushed straw on the soil surface corresponding to 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 t ha−1. After this, the soils in pots were compacted with same levels of straw on its surface using the maximum bulk density each soil. Then, soybean and maize were sown and after 42 days, biometric characteristics and physiological parameters were evaluated. The results showed that the maximum bulk density and critical soil moisture for the sandy clay loam soil were 1.51 t m−3 and 0.15 kg kg−1, respectively, while those for the clay soil were 1.54 t m−3 and 0.19 kg kg−1. The straw reduced soil compaction for the two soils, resulting in lower soil bulk density with 9 and 8 t ha−1 of straw on the surface of sandy clay loam and clay soils, respectively. When evaluated the plant, the amounts 6 to 9 t ha−1 of straw promoted better initial development of soybean and maize plants. Thus, this study suggests that a minimum of 6 and 8 t ha−1 of straw be used on the surface of sandy clay loam and clay soils, respectively were efficient in promoting physical soil improvements and better plant development.

Limited recovery of soil organic carbon and soil biophysical functions after old field restoration in an agricultural landscape

AbstractThe conversion of woodland ecosystems to agricultural landscapes has led to unprecedented losses of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning globally. Unsustainable agricultural practices have contributed to the degradation of soil's physical and biogeochemical properties. Ecological restoration of unproductive agricultural land is imperative for reversing land degradation and ameliorating the degrading effects of agriculture on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, it is unclear to what extent common restoration activities, such as tree planting, can facilitate the recovery of ecosystem condition and in particular, improve soil physical, biogeochemical and biotic components. Here, we investigated how the cessation of cropping, followed by tree planting, affected soil carbon concentrations and key biophysical soil functions. Data were collected across 10 sites a decade after the replanting of woody species on old fields in semi‐arid Western Australia. We applied a chronosequence approach and measured soil functions in fallow cropland (restoration starting point), 10‐year‐old planted old fields and intact woodland reference sites (restoration target point). We stratified sampling between open areas and patches under trees in planted old fields and reference woodlands to account for inherent biophysical differences. Soils under planted trees recovered to some extent, having reduced soil compaction and higher soil penetration depth in comparison with the fallow cropland. However, soils under trees in planted old fields did not reach woodland reference conditions for these properties. Moreover, recovery was not evident for other soil physical, biogeochemical and biotic components such as soil organic carbon, soil moisture, leaf litter and woody debris decomposition rates. Limited recovery of soil functions may be at least partly explained by time lags associated with slow growth rates of planted trees in dry ecosystems. Our study shows that the legacy of cropping can persist over long timeframes in semi‐arid regions, with modest signs of woodland recovery beginning to emerge 10 years after tree planting.

Investigating Soil Water Retention and Water Content in Retrogressive Thaw Slumps in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) are becoming more common on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as permafrost thaws, but the hydraulic properties of thaw slumps have not been extensively studied. To fill this knowledge gap, we used the “space-for-time substitution method” to differentiate three stages of RTSs: original grassland, collapsing, and collapsed. Our study included on-site investigations, measurements in the laboratory, and measured and simulated analyses of soil water retention curves and estimated hydrological properties. Our findings show that the measurements and simulated analyses of soil water retention were highly consistent across RTSs, indicating the accuracy of the Van Genuchten model in reproducing soil hydraulic parameters for different stages of RTSs. The original grassland stage had the highest soil water retention and content due to its high soil organic carbon (SOC) content and fine-textured micropores. In contrast, the collapsed stage had higher soil water retention and content compared to the collapsing stage, primarily due to increased proportions of soil micropores, SOC content, and lower bulk density (BD). From original grassland stage to collapsed stage, there were significant changes on the structure of each RTS site, which resulted in a decrease in SOC content and an increase in BD in general. However, the absence of soil structure and compaction led to the subsequent accumulation of organic matter, increasing SOC content. Changes in field capacity, permanent wilting point, and soil micropore distribution aligned with variations in SOC content and water content. These findings highlight the importance of managing SOC content and water content to mitigate the adverse effects of freeze-thaw cycles on soil structure and stability at different thaw collapse stages of RTSs. Effective management strategies may include incorporating organic matter, reducing soil compaction, and maintaining optimal water content. Further research is needed to determine the most suitable management practices for different soil types and environmental conditions.

Optimal guidance track generation for precision agriculture: A review of coverage path planning techniques

AbstractThe Complete Coverage Path Planning (CCPP) problem is a subfield of industrial motion planning that has applications in various domains, ranging from mobile robotics to treatment applications. Especially in precision agriculture with a high level of automation, the use of CCPP techniques is essential for efficient resource utilization, reduced soil compaction, and increased yields. This paper reviews the CCPP problem in the context of machines operating in agricultural fields and proposes a methodological approach consisting of three steps: Generating the Guidance Tracks (i.e., the track system along which the path should be oriented), determining the traversing sequence through these tracks, and planning a smooth and drivable path. This paper provides an in‐depth review of optimization‐based approaches that deal with the first step, the generation of the guidance track system. Thereby, a comprehensive and pedagogical approach for the generation of guidance tracks for arbitrarily shaped two‐dimensional regions of interest is provided, along with an overview and detailed elaboration on different exact cellular decomposition techniques found in literature. Furthermore, cost functions are outlined for the different approaches presented in this work, which are utilized to generate optimal guidance tracks. Finally, this survey serves as an introductory guide for research and practitioners to solve the CCPP problem effectively and efficiently.

ПОВЫШЕНИЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ КАРТОФЕЛЕКОПАТЕЛЯ С АВТОМАТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМОЙ В ПЕРЕМЕННЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ ПОЧВЫ

The article discusses the issues of reducing soil compaction when harvesting potatoes with an automatic system for regulating the internal tire pressure of the running wheels of a potato digger. As a result of the influence of the propulsors and the running system as a whole, a change in the soil structure occurs, not only in the rut itself, but also in the areas located next to it, which indicates the nature of the spread of soil deformation and its influence on the condition of soil covers, which ultimately leads to a decrease in yield. (Purpose of the study) Reducing soil compaction on waterlogged soils by automatically adjusting tire pressure depending on soil moisture. (Materials and methods) A potato digger with an automatic system for regulating the tire pressure of running wheels has been developed. (Results and discussion) The reduction in soil compaction occurs due to the fact that it is additionally equipped with a capacitive sensor for measuring soil moisture, made in the form of a wheel, where, with reduced humidity, a signal is sent from the capacitive sensor to the automatic pressure control system to increase the tire pressure in the running wheels. from the air supply tube under pressure, air enters the chamber of the running wheels of the potato digger; at high humidity, a signal is sent from the capacitive sensor to the automatic pressure control system to reduce the internal tire pressure in the running wheels; the air leaves the wheel tires of the running system of the potato digger through the outlet into the environment and reduces tire pressure. (Conclusions) As a result of automatic tire pressure changes, the density of the soil in the wheel track is significantly reduced, thereby preventing soil compaction.

Ограничения применения колесных тракторов в технологиях растениеводства по уплотняющему воздействию (в условиях Приамурья)

The natural conditions of the Amur region are characterized by seasonal soil freezing and thawing. In winter, it freezes to a depth of 2.5 m. In July, it completely thaws. Field work on soil preparation and sowing of early grain crops begins at a time when the soil thaws by only 0.08–0.10 m. In early spring field work, a tractor with high values of normal soil pressures can be used (without limiting the operating weight). The frozen under layer saves the soil from degradation. As the soil thaws, it is necessary to adhere to the established norms of mechanical action on soil, taking into account its physical and mechanical characteristics. The purpose of research is to reduce soil compaction from mechanical effects of tractor wheel thrusters. The objective of research is to substantiate the limits of wheeled tractor use in field work according to the permissible level of sealing effect. Theoretical and empirical methods are applied using statistical processing of experimental data. The change in soil density and compaction effect index are studied depending on the normal load transmitted by wheeled tractor movers. The values of distribution of operating weight along axes, maximum loads and value of compaction effect index of running systems of domestic and imported wheeled tractors used in crop production technologies of the Amur region are given. The limits of change in soil density depending on normal load under the wheel drive are given. The dependence of compaction effect index on the operating weight of tractor, axle load, wheel formula and number of unit passes along the track is established. Recommendations on the use of wheeled tractors in field work, depending on the time of their execution are given.

Effects of vertical load and inflation pressure on tire-soil interaction on artificial soil

Instrumented single tire soil bin testing was conducted on a rigid surface and artificial soil by vertically loading a radial tire (LT235/75R15) to two tire vertical loads (6 kN and 8 kN) inflated to three levels of tire inflation pressure (179, 241, and 283 kPa). Lowering the tire inflation pressure by 37 % resulted in 26 % (6 kN vertical load) and 39 % (8 kN vertical load) greater contact lengths (P < 0.05). The 2-D contact area on artificial soil (initial bulk density of 1.51 Mg/m3) was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by tire inflation pressure for each load case. Increasing the load significantly affected the tire’s contact length on soil (P = 0.0010); however, tire inflation pressure did not significantly affect the contact length on soil (P = 0.0609). Soil rut depth and tire-soil deformed volume were not significantly affected by vertical load and tire inflation pressure. Measured tire contact area on soil surface was 3.3 times the contact area on the rigid surface, suggesting tire-soil interaction interface properties on deformable soil are better than using the gross flat plate for evaluating low ground pressure tire technology effects on traction and reducing soil compaction.

Suspension Concentrate crop protection formulation design and performance for low spray volume and UAS spray application.

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are providing interesting disruptive solutions for spray application of crop protection products with very-low spray volumes (VLV) down to 8 L/ha that offer improved sustainability through reduced water volumes and reduced soil compaction. However, the efficacy of products can be reduced by the significantly lower crop/plant spray coverage and formulation designs that can compensate for this are highly important here. Suspension Concentrate (SC) formulations designed for VLV use containing and delivering low dose rates (g/ha) of organosilicone alkoxylate high-spreading surfactants were found to result in leaf coverage of VLVs comparable to those observed at higher spray volumes. High spreading was observed on textured leaf surfaces containing sub-micron sized epicuticular wax crystals. Greenhouse fungal disease studies showed enhanced efficacy with these SC formulations compared to standard SC formulations without these additives and maintained the observed increase in efficacy when applied at VLV. Alternatively, SC formulations without high spreading formulants but containing uptake promoting nonionic surfactants showed enhanced cuticle penetration through isolated cuticles at VLV in comparison to higher spray volumes, with coffee-ring spray deposit microstructures present at VLVs. Similarly, greenhouse studies showed enhanced efficacy that was maintained at VLV relative to SCs without these additives. At VLVs, SC formulations applied at relatively low dose rates (g/ha) of formulants (adjuvants) enhancing spreading on the leaf surface and/or uptake of the active ingredient(s) maintained good spreading, uptake and biological efficacy in greenhouse studies overcoming the coverage limitations of SC formulations without these additives. This result is unexpected considering the low dose rate of adjuvants used. © 2023 Bayer AG. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of different tillage management on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays l.)

Effects of different tillage management on the growth and yield of maize were studied from early June to September 2017. The experiment was set up with three tillage treatments: traditional shallow moldboard plow tillage with straw removal (MT), sub-soiling/ plow tillage /sub-soiling rotation with straw mulch (ST) and no-till/sub-soiling/no-till rotation with straw retention (NT). The soil compaction of different soil layers, plant height, chlorophyll content, above-ground biomass and yield were determined through the three tillage practices. Results showed that NT and ST treatments helped to reduce soil compaction, and had a positive effect on maize root growth and development, plant height and chlorophyll content compared to the MT treatment. The chlorophyll value in early growth period under NT and ST increased by 31.8 and 24.6%, respectively, and the plant height was increased by 20.2 and 15.9% compared with MT, respectively. The size order of soil compaction was MT &gt; NT &gt; ST, and the soil compaction value was the maximum at 20 cm under MT treatment, which was 1007 kPa. Meanwhile, NT and ST also increased the plant above-ground biomass and yield of maize. Compared to MT treatment, the dry weight of plants for the NT and ST treatments significantly increased by 24.3 and 15.7%, respectively, and the grain yield significantly increased by 11.9 and 14.9%, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). NT and ST tillage treatments are effective measures to improve structure of soil, contribute to plant growth and development and thereby increase in yield. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(2): 451-458, 2023 (June) Special

Effects of different tillage management on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays l.)

Effects of different tillage management on the growth and yield of maize were studied from early June to September 2017. The experiment was set up with three tillage treatments: traditional shallow moldboard plow tillage with straw removal (MT), sub-soiling/ plow tillage /sub-soiling rotation with straw mulch (ST) and no-till/sub-soiling/no-till rotation with straw retention (NT). The soil compaction of different soil layers, plant height, chlorophyll content, above-ground biomass and yield were determined through the three tillage practices. Results showed that NT and ST treatments helped to reduce soil compaction, and had a positive effect on maize root growth and development, plant height and chlorophyll content compared to the MT treatment. The chlorophyll value in early growth period under NT and ST increased by 31.8 and 24.6%, respectively, and the plant height was increased by 20.2 and 15.9% compared with MT, respectively. The size order of soil compaction was MT &gt; NT &gt; ST, and the soil compaction value was the maximum at 20 cm under MT treatment, which was 1007 kPa. Meanwhile, NT and ST also increased the plant above-ground biomass and yield of maize. Compared to MT treatment, the dry weight of plants for the NT and ST treatments significantly increased by 24.3 and 15.7%, respectively, and the grain yield significantly increased by 11.9 and 14.9%, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). NT and ST tillage treatments are effective measures to improve structure of soil, contribute to plant growth and development and thereby increase in yield. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(2): 451-458, 2023 (June) Special

Soil Properties and Maize Growth as Affected by Subsoiling and Traffic-Induced Compaction

Many of the current farm management methods that utilize production techniques tend to add to the soil compaction problem. The compaction from wheel traffic is a key source of soil deterioration in contemporary agriculture. Limited studies have been conducted over the heavy soil of Iraq’s southern regions to understand soil compaction under the current condition, and its effect on crop growth and yield. An experiment was conducted at two locations; with the goal of determining the effects of tractor traffic on soil parameters, plant development, and maize production. Compaction treatments included no traffic, t0; 8 tractor traffic, t8; 16 tractor traffic, t16; and 24 tractor traffic, t24. To reduce soil compaction’s negative impacts, two degrees of subsoiling have been investigated, nonsubsoiled (NonSub) and subsoiled (Sub) plots. The results showed that bulk density values through 10 to 40 cm soil profile after tractor traffic at both locations increased with increasing levels of compaction. Hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil cores showed a general trend of decreasing at both locations with increasing levels of compaction by tractor traffic. Maize plant height, 500-grain weight, and root mass throughout both growing locations were also lower with wheel traffic treatments compared to the control treatment. Maize yields with wheel traffic were significantly lower by 7.039, 19.120, 34.187% at the first location and by 7.291, 15.147, 26.862% at the second location for the t8, t16, and t24 than yields with the t0 treatments. On the other hand, subsoiling was found to mitigate the adverse effect of tractor traffic in the topsoil and in the subsoil that led to a favour effect on soil bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The subsoil treatment increased plant height at both growing locations due to the greater exploitation of root system at the subsoiled plots which increased 500 grain weight and eventually maize yield by 16.215 and 23.762% over nonsubsoiled treatment. Tractor traffic on agricultural soils must be planned in order to minimize its detrimental impacts, as demonstrated by the findings of this experiment. Tractor traffic below 16 passes, under the experiment condition, is convenient for effective maize cultivation. In addition, subsoiling can be a choice for alleviating compaction.

Lentil Crop Rotation and Green Manuring Effects on Soil Structural Stability and Corn Yield in Different Soils in Central Greece

Grain legume production contributes widely to ecosystem services and have the potential to improve soil structure, increase soil organic carbon and reduce soil compaction. Growing more legumes in future requires changes to the cropping system, the sequence, and crop management. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of lentil cover cropping managements on (i) soil structure and (ii) subsequent corn yield, in two different soil types. Experiments were carried out on a clayey and on a sandy soil, following a RCB design, for two years. Three legume managements were tested before growing corn (rotation, incorporation as green manure, no cover crop). For assessing soil structure stability the instability index, β was used. Corm productivity was determined by field samplings. Both lentil management, had significant effect on the instability index β. Stability of soil aggregates was enhanced during spring and reduced during autumn, regardless of the lentil pre-treatment, confirming the seasonal variation of soil structure stability. Legume rotation and green manure positively affected corn kernel yield in both soils. Results suggest that lentil rotation or green manuring has a positive effect on soil structure on both sandy and clay soils, leading to higher yields for subsequent corn crop.

Urbanization associated changes in biogeochemical cycles.

Urbanization associated changes in biogeochemical cycles.

Combined Implement for Soil Preparation and Sowing Сucurbits

The design of an energy-saving combined implement capable of performing basic and pre-sowing tillage, applying mineral fertilizers, forming irrigation furrows and sowing melons and gourds in one pass is substantiated. The use of a combined tillage unit allows to reduce labor costs by up to 39%, energy consumption for soil preparation – up to 45%, reduce the duration of work, reduce soil compaction by reducing the unit’s passes across the field and retain moisture in the soil layer.

The potential to increase grassland soil C stocks by extending reseeding intervals is dependent on soil texture and depth

Grasslands account for ∼30% of global terrestrial carbon (C), of which most is stored in soils and provide important ecosystem services including livestock and forage production. Reseeding of temporary grasslands on a 5-year cycle is a common management practice to rejuvenate sward productivity and reduce soil compaction, but is physically disruptive and may reduce soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, research to date is limited, which impacts on the ability to optimise grassland management for climate change mitigation. To determine whether extending the time interval up to 20 years between grassland reseeding can increase stable SOC stocks, a soil survey was conducted across three UK grassland chrono-sequences comprising 24 fields on contrasting soil types. We found that grassland SOC stocks (39.8–114.8 Mg C ha−1) were higher than co-located fields in arable rotations (29.3–83.2 Mg C ha−1) and the relationship with grassland age followed a curvilinear relationship with rapid SOC stock accumulation in the year following reseeding (2.69–18.3 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) followed by progressively slower SOC accumulation up to 20 years. Contrary to expectation, all grasslands had similar soil bulk densities and sward composition questioning the need for traditional 5-year reseeding cycles. Fractionation of soils into stable mineral associated fractions revealed that coarse textured grassland topsoils (0–15 cm) were near-saturated in C irrespective of grassland age whilst loam soils reached saturation ∼10 years after reseeding. Fine-textured topsoils and subsoils (15–30 cm) of all textures were under saturated and thus appear to hold the most potential to accrue additional stable C. However, the lack of a relationship between C saturation deficit and grassland age in subsoils suggests that more innovative management to promote SOC redistribution to depth, such as a switch to diverse leys or full inversion tillage may be required to maximise subsoil SOC stocks. Taken together our findings suggest that extending the time between grassland reseeding could temporarily increase SOC stocks without compromising sward composition or soil structure. However, detailed monitoring of the trade-offs with grassland productivity are required. Fine textured soils and subsoils (15–30 cm) have the greatest potential to accrue additional stable C due to under saturation of fine mineral pools.