Qualitative soil quality assessment is efficient in a grazing system with or without trees

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Soil Science
• Ecology

Background:

• Quantitative soil quality (SQ) assessment methods are costly and time-consuming.
• Qualitative SQ assessments offer a faster, more economical alternative for monitoring crop and pasture systems.
• This study compares qualitative and quantitative SQ indicators in two grazing systems (with and without trees) under Voisin rational grazing (VRG).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the accuracy of qualitative and quantitative SQ assessment methods.
• To assess SQ in Voisin rational grazing (VRG) systems with trees (WT) and without trees (NT) using both methods.
• To use a native forest as a reference for comparison.

Main Methods:

• Utilized qualitative and quantitative SQ indicators for two VRG systems (WT and NT).
• Employed a native forest as a reference standard.
• Applied principal component analysis (PCA) to integrate and compare data from both assessment methods.

Main Results:

• Quantitative assessment revealed higher SQ in the WT system and the forest, indicated by superior soil physical and chemical properties.
• Qualitative assessment showed better SQ in the WT system, with scores approaching those of the forest.
• PCA analysis confirmed that SQ in the WT system was comparable to that of the native forest.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative SQ evaluation is as efficient as quantitative methods for VRG areas, with or without trees.
• Qualitative methods enhance farmer autonomy and skill development in environmental factor assessment.
• This approach supports sustainable land management and practice evaluation.