Long-term Ecology Trial, Lincoln University

Objective
To investigate and quantify the long-term impacts of nutrient input withdrawal and plant biomass management on soil organic matter and nutrient dynamics
Description
The trial is used for undergraduate teaching and practical research
Data Access Statement
No data statement
Data license
Don't know
Data policy
Don't know
Organization
Lincoln University
research organisation
Person
Prof. Leo Condron
principal investigator
Lincoln University
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Site: Field site

Type
research station field
Location
Lincoln University
New Zealand
Geographic location
-43.6475, 172.468056
+−
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Elevation
15 Metres
Visits permitted?
No
Management
The trial site had previously been managed under arable cropping with regular inputs of mineral fertiliser (including P) and the soil P fertility status at establishment was relatively high (Olsen P = 28 mg kg−1 for 0–7.5 cm soil) for lowland agricultural soils in New Zealand.
Soil description
Wakanui silt loam soil (Mottled Immature Pallic [NZ]; Udic Ustochrept [USDA])
Soil properties
VariableDepthValue (range)UnitsRef yearEstimated?Baseline?
plant available phosphorous0 – 7.5 Centimetres28 milligram per kilogram
soil pH0 – 7.5 Centimetres5.3 2019
plant available phosphorous0 – 7.5 Centimetres (13 – 42) milligram per kilogram2019
Climatic type
temperate oceanic climate
Climate properties
VariableTime periodValue (range)Units
precipitation620 millimeter
air temperature12 (6 – 17) degree Celsius

Design period: (1994—)

Design Type
Randomized complete block design
Description
The site was cultivated and sown with a mixture of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L). Plots measured 5 x 5 m
Number of plots
24
Number of replicates
4
Crop
CropYears grown
grass
Factors
Factor name
Factor levels
nitrogen fertilizer exposure
Plot application: Whole plot
control exposure
nitrogen  (50 kgN/ha)
Application frequency: annually in spring
crop residue management process
Mowed plots are cut to 4 cm when the sward height reaches approximately 20 cm. Plots are 5-7 times per year.
Plot application: Whole plot
mowed, clippings removed
mowed, clippings retained
not mowed

Related publications

  • Boitt, G., Black, A., Wakelin, S.A. et al. Impacts of long-term plant biomass management on soil phosphorous under temperate grass land. Plant Soil (2018) 427: 163.
  • Boitt, G., Simpson, Z.P., Tian, J. et al. Plant biomass management impacts on short-term soil phosphorus dynamics in a temperate grassland. Biol Fertil Soils (2018) 54: 397.