Effect of Fertilizer and Brush Control on Soil Fertility

Abstract

Seven years after herbicide application was applied to reduce woody vegetation and increase native grass, there was no change in total available soil NO3- N, P, and K in the surface 15 cm. However, the area of native grass conversion had more soil K in the surface 5 cm and a higher pH in the surface 15 cm than the area supporting woody vegetation. Brush control followed by seeding of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and annual fertilization with N, P, and K increased total available soil P and K in the surface 15 cm. Most of the P increase was in the surface 5 cm. Fertilizer applied to areas seeded to fescue appeared to reduce soil pH from that of native grass conversion.