Assessing the Impact of Grassland and Agricultural Fields on Soil Quality Indicators

Soil health is essential for agricultural ecosystems as well as improving environmental stability. Understanding soil quality indicators and the management practices is important for sustainability in agriculture. This research evaluated soil organic matter, soil water holding capacity, bulk density, and total porosity in native grassland, pasture, and agricultural fields. This study was conducted in Christian County and Lyon County in Western Kentucky. The fields included two fescue pastures, three native grass prairies, and three agricultural fields. The two Bluegrass fields (BG50 and BGH50) have been seeded with grass for 50 years, and the native grass fields (NGPCT (Native Grass previously conventional tillage), NGPNT (Native Grass previously no-tilled), and NGPPF (Native Grass previously pasture field)) were conventionally tilled and no-tilled in a soybean-corn rotation. The three agricultural fields (CF100(Corn Field 100 Years), CF50(Corn Field 50 Years), and SBNT10(Soybean No-Till 10 Years)) followed a corn and soybean rotation with occasional wheat seeding. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from approximately a depth of 8 cm. Disturbed soil samples were taken at a depth of 5 cm. The data showed that the pasture ground appeared less compacted than the CRP fields. The SWHC ranged from 25.99% to 55.06%, with the native grass and pasture fields having higher values than the agricultural fields. Total porosity was 37.24% to 60.04% with the highest found in the three native grass fields (52%, 58%, and 54%). Soil bulk density ranged from 1.06 to 1.66 g/cm^3, with agricultural fields having the highest values. Soil organic matter averaged from 2% to 7% with levels about even between agricultural and grass fields. This study's data can help landowners decide whether a native grass conservation reserve program (CRP) is right for their soil.