Hydro‐physical soil properties as influenced by short and long‐term integrated crop–livestock agroecosystems

Integration of cover crops and livestock (ICLS) in an existing corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping system can be effective strategy to improve soil physical hydrological properties. Three on-farm long-term (≥30 yr) sites (Sites 1, 2 3) one short-term (3 experimental site (Site 4) with a randomized block design eastern South Dakota were selected evaluate the impacts ICLS on At Sites 2, 3, following management systems compared: (corn/grazing–soybean/grazing–cover crop/grazing), control (CNT, corn–soybean no crop grazing), grazed pasture (GP). Site 4, treatments included (corn/grazing–soybean/grazing–oat [Avena sativa L.]–cover crop/grazing], (corn–soybean–oat–cover CNT (corn–soybean–oat without GP. Data showed that organic carbon (SOC) was higher by 20–26% bulk density lower 18–37% compared CNT. Long-term also improved water retention, macroporosity, infiltration rate, total porosity However, these properties not affected at 4. The GP had SOC rate except This study integration grazing under beneficial enhancing whether such improves other quality parameters yield requires further investigation.