SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MULCHED AND MOWED GRASS-CLOVER TURFS

Effects of mulching and mowing of grass-clover low-input turfs on soil physical properties were observed in 2012 in field trial in Vatin, Vysocina Region, Czech Republic. Two levels of fertilization were used: no fertilization and 50 kg N/ha/year. Soil moisture at the depth of 10 cm was significantly decreased by mulching (average difference 5.3 vol. %). The highest soil moisture was measured in cut fertilized sward, while the lowest in mulched non-fertilized one. Effect of fertilization on soil moisture was negligible - it caused only small increase in soil moisture. Bulk density at the depth of 5 cm was decreased by using fertilization compared to non-fertilized plots, while porosity was higher. The effect was opposite at the depth of 25 cm - bulk density was higher and porosity was lower in fertilized plots.