Forages for conservation and improved soil quality

Authors: OBRYCKI, JOHN - Orise Fellow; Karlen, Douglas

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Forages provide multiple soil conservation benefits including reducing wind and water erosion, providing a source of soil carbon, and generally improving overall soil health. The positive effects of incorporating forages into diversified crop rotations is well documented as evidenced by publications stating that row crop practices in the 1930s and 1940s had between 98- and 1277- fold higher soil erosion than permanent forage cover. Current conservation tillage and other soil management practices have significantly reduced soil erosion, yet it is still estimated that permanent forage cover decreases soil erosion 7-fold compared to cropland. Soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes (i.e., soil health) all tend to be improved by forages. Compared to soils without forages, those under forages tend to have larger proportions of soil aggregates >1 mm, higher surface soil C, increased soil water infiltration, and increased soil microbial and biological activity. Forages are also effective land remediation tools, and can be used to control saline seeps or for mineland restoration. However, the magnitude of change in soil properties when forages are planted will depend on many site-specific factors, including soil type, land management practices, and the amount of time forages have been used on the landscape. This book chapter summarizes the soil conservation benefits of using forages and provides readers with multiple references that can be used to learn more about the subject.