EFFECTS OF DELAYED HAY REMOVAL ON THE NUTRIENT BALANCE OF ROADSIDE PLANT-COMMUNITIES

Citation
Ap. Schaffers et al., EFFECTS OF DELAYED HAY REMOVAL ON THE NUTRIENT BALANCE OF ROADSIDE PLANT-COMMUNITIES, Journal of Applied Ecology, 35(3), 1998, pp. 349-364
Citations number
59
Categorie Soggetti
Ecology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00218901
Volume
35
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
349 - 364
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-8901(1998)35:3<349:EODHRO>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
1. Mass losses and nutrient losses from fresh roadside cuttings were s tudied in the field during a 6-week period. Large amounts (over 50%) a ppear to be lost from the cuttings. The losses were positively related to initial nutrient concentrations during this short-term study. Mass and nitrogen losses were best explained by the initial C:N ratio, pho sphorus and potassium losses by the initial phosphorus concentration. 2. For potassium the losses were particularly large (up to 90%). For t his element only, the observed relationship between loss rate and init ial chemical composition could not be established significantly. It is concluded that potassium is mainly lost by leaching whereas the major nitrogen, phosphorus and mass losses are most probably caused by rapi d microbial decomposition of readily soluble substances. 3. Using exis ting data on chemical composition of other roadside cuttings, nutrient losses after different hay removal delay times were modelled for diff erent plant communities. All or most of the losses were assumed to ret urn to the soil system. 4. When soil impoverishment is aimed for, cutt ings should be removed within 1 or 2 weeks in most plant communities. If removal is delayed longer, the amounts of nutrients removed will of ten fall below the annual atmospheric input. In plant communities wher e annual above-ground production of nitrogen and phosphorus are lower than the annual atmospheric deposition already, rapid removal of the c uttings may be the only way to maintain at least potassium at a limiti ng level. 5. The main effect of hay-making on the soil nutrient status most likely consists of a reduction of the potassium availability, at least on sandy soils with a low cation exchange capacity and provided there is little delay in hay removal.