Summary
This controlled-environment study examined how soil properties and pH influence yield and micronutrient uptake by 15 common pasture species across four contrasting soils. Whilst botanical group significantly interacted with soil type to affect micronutrient outcomes, species-specific soil interactions were weak except for forbs, suggesting that generic micronutrient-based species recommendations may be feasible for grasses and legumes. The findings support the potential of multispecies swards to enhance livestock micronutrient intake through informed species selection, though soil pH and type remain important modulating factors.
UK applicability
The study was conducted under controlled conditions in the United Kingdom using common UK pasture species and UK soil types, making the findings directly applicable to UK pastoral farming systems. The work provides evidence-based guidance for UK farmers considering multispecies swards to improve livestock nutrition, though field validation under variable UK climatic and soil conditions would strengthen on-farm applicability.
Key measures
Pasture species yield; micronutrient concentrations and total uptake (species and soil-specific); soil properties (texture, organic matter, micronutrient concentrations, pH); interactions between soil type, pH, botanical group and species
Outcomes reported
The study measured yield and micronutrient concentrations (and total uptake) of 15 pasture species grown across four contrasting soils and two soil pH levels in a controlled environment. It evaluated whether species-specific micronutrient recommendations need to be soil-specific or can be generic across botanical groups.
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