EUROSOMNET long-term experimental database

The Electronic Rothamsted Archive

1) EXPERIMENT

Experiment name: Palace Leas Meadow Hay Plots
Date began: 1896

2) CONTACT PERSON

Name: Dr R. S. Shiel

Address: AES Department, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K.

Telephone number: +44 191 222 6922

FAX: +44 191 222 5228

Email: R.S.Shiel@ncl.ac.uk

Formal GCTE SOMNET member

3) ENVIRONMENT

a) Where the experimental site is

Country: U.K.

Continent: Europe

Longitude: 1 degrees 41 minutes West

Latitude: 55 degrees 13 minutes North

b) Site history/geology

Described as old grassland in 1897

c) Ecosystem

Grazed ecosystem

d) Climatic region

Cool temperate

e) Average climatic conditions at the experimental site

4) SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

a) Soil description

Pielo-Stagnogley (Typic Ochragnalf) of the Hullsworth Series

Very little reliable information

b) Soil properties

5) LAND USE AND TREATMENTS

Permanent meadow hay with aftermath grazed. For treatments see Shiel & Hopkins (1991) [see reference list]

6) MEASUREMENTS MADE DURING THE EXPERIMENT

a) Vegetation measurements made and frequency

Yield: Yearly
Total dry matter offtake: Irregularly
Carbon content of offtake: Irregularly
Nitrogen content of offtake: Irregularly
Irregularly

b) Soil sampling

Details of soil sampling method: Various methods used, all described in individual papers (see reference list).
Soil is separated into layers
Details of measuring depths and soil layers: Various techniques used. See individual papers in reference list, for example see Shiel (1986 - in reference list)

c) Soil measurements made and frequency

Total carbon: Irregularly
Method of measuring total carbon: Carbon furnace (i.e. combustion in an induction furnace)
Biomass carbon: Irregularly
Method of measuring biomass carbon: Substrate (glucose) induced respiration (Anderson & Domsch, 1978, Soil Biol. Biochem. 10: 215-221)
Carbon measurements in other organic matter fractions: Irregularly
Method of measuring carbon in other organic matter fractions: As for total C (i.e. cumbustion) in size fractions collected from some plots (see Shiel, 1986 in reference list)
Carbon dioxide evolution: Irregularly
Method of measuring carbon dioxide evolution: Entrapment in hydroxide and back titration.
Total nitrogen: Irregularly
Method of measuring total nitrogen: Kjeldahl
Total mineral nitrogen: Irregularly
Method of measuring total mineral nitrogen: Mitrogen autoanalyser (Griess & Ilosnay - NO2-; Griess, Ilosvay & Cdar - hyrdazine reduction - NO3-; Indophenol blue - NH4)
Nitrate nitrogen: Irregularly
Method of measuring nitrate nitrogen: Nitrogen autoanalyser and see methods for mineral N above.
Ammonium nitrogen: Irregularly
Method of measuring ammonium nitrogen: Nitrogen autoanalyser and see methods for mineral N above.
Soil bulk density or weight: Irregularly
Method of measuring soil bulk density or weight: Core tubes and Kubiena tins - see example in Shiel (1986) in reference list.
Other nutrients: A wide range of nutrients measured - see for example Saleh (1985) in reference list.
Atmospheric inputs: Measurements of atmospheric N deposition made near the site by Prof. A.W. Davison at same address.
Other measurements: Many measurements have been made over the last century - see Hopkins et al. (1988) for a review [in reference list].

d) Details of the meteorological station

Nearest meteorological station to the site: Cockle Park which is .2 km from the site at coordinates 1deg.41min. West, 55deg.13min. North

The meteorological station is manual.

e) Meteorological data available and frequency

Rainfall: Daily

Air temperature: Daily

Soil temperature: Daily at 30cm depth

Wind speed: Daily

Sun hours: Daily

Relative humidity: Daily

f) Isotope measurements available and frequency

None

g) Archived samples available

Archived soil samples: Irregularly dating from 1985

Archived crop samples: Irregularly dating from 1985

7) EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

a) Details of the plots

Width of smallest plot is 15 m

Length of smallest plot is 120 m

Slope: less than 5% . Shape: Concave

Width of Discard Strip around plot: 13m

Details of homogeneity of the plots: See details in Saleh (1985) and Shayo Ngowi (1988) in reference list.

b) Details of replication, randomization and controls

Subsamples are taken from the 120m long plots

There are control plots described as follows:

No fertilizer of manure since 1896.

8) DATA AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT

9) KEY REFERENCES

Allen, E.A. (1985) The influence of sward composition on the development of an organic horizon on plot 7 of the Palace Leas meadow hay trial. BSc Dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Arnold, P.W., Hunter, F. & Gonzales Fernandez, P. (1976) Long-term grassland experiments at Cockle Park. Annales Agronomiques 27, 1027-1042.

Askew, G.P. (1971) The soils of the Palace Leas plots at Cockle Park experimental farm: excursion guide. British Society of Soil Science, Guide to excursions, 18-25.

Barratt, B.C. (1960) An investigation of the morphology of some grassland humus forms. PhD thesis. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Barratt, B.C. (1964) A classification of humus forms and micro-fabrics of temperate grasslands. Journal of Soil Science 15, 342-356.

Barratt, B.C. (1967) Differences in humus forms and their micro-fabrics induced by long-term topdressings in hayfields. Geoderma 1, 209-227.

Barratt, B.C. (1968) Macro and micro morphological changes in topsoils under intensified grassland management. Transactions 9th International Congress of Soil Science, 211-219.

Batten, C.J. (1982) A study of the aftermath grazing period of the Palace Leas meadow. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Bluck, L.K. (1982) Carbon cycling in Palace Leas hay plots. BSc Dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. AES Dept.

Bragg, N.S. (1979) A study of soil profile characteristics of selected Palace Leas hay plots. MSc dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Bushnell, D.G. (1952) An investigation into the effects of a long term manurial policy on the quantity of hay from the Palace Leas meadow hay experiment. MSc dissertation. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Chow, W.T. (1971) Mineralisable nitrogen in soils from Palace Leas plots. MSc dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Coleman, S.Y. (1981) A study of the hay yield from Palace Leas. MSc dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Coleman, S.Y., Shiel, R.S. & Evans, D.A. (1987) The effect of weather and nutrition on the yield of hay from Palace Leas meadow hay plots, at Cockle Park Experimental Farm, over the period from 1897 to 1980. Grass and Forage Science 42, 353-358.

Cooper, P.J.M. (1968) Potassium fixation studies on silt and clay fractions, and complete soils from the Palace Leas plots. MSc dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Cornforth, I.S. (1962) A study of certain soil physical properties of the Palace Leas meadow hay plots at Cockle Park. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Cruwys, K. (1988) The characterisation and analysis of soil organic matter using soil lipids and multivariate statistics. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Daintree, C. (1983) A micromorphological study of the soil macroporosity and component features of selected Palace Leas meadow hay plots. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Doubleday, G.P. (1965) A soil survey of Cockle Park. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Elliott, F.J. & Thomas, B. (1934) On the yield and composition of meadow hay from certain of the Palace Leas plots at Cockle Park. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 24, 379-389.

Floate, M.J.S. (1962) Pedogenic relationships concerning forms of soil phosphorus and soil organic matter. PhD Thesis. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Gonzalez-Fernandez, P. (1975) The phosphorus status of Palace Leas soil. MSc dissertation, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Guide to the Cockle Park Experimental Station. Guides were published annually except during the war years. County of Northumberland Education Committee/Universities of Durham and Newcastle from 1896 to 1971.

Higgins, F. (1990) The influence of high pH microsites on the activity of autrophic nitrifiers in acidic soils. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Hopkins, D.W. & Shiel, R.S. (1990) Spectroscopic characterisation of organic matter from soil with mor and mull humus forms. In: W.S. Wilson (Ed) Advances in Soil Organic Matter Research: The Impact on Agriculture and the Environment. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, pp. 71-78.

Hopkins, D.W. (1988) Nitrogen transformations in upland pastures on stagnogley and stagnohumic-gley soils. PhD thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Hopkins, D.W., Chudek, J.A. & Shiel, R.S. (1993) Chemical characterisation and decomposition of organic matter from the contrasting grassland soil profiles. Journal of Soil Science 44, 147-158.

Hopkins, D.W., Ibrahim, D.M., O'Donnell, A.G. & Shiel, R.S. (1990) Decomposition of cellulose, soil organic matter and plant litter in a temperate grassland soil. Plant and Soil 124, 79-85.

Hopkins, D.W., O'Donnell, A.G. & Shiel, R.S. (1988) The effect of fertilisation on soil nitrifier activity in experimental grassland plots. Biology and Fertility of Soils 5, 344-349.

Hopkins, D.W., Shiel, R.S. & O'Donnell, A.G. (1988) The influence of sward species composition on the rate of organic matter decomposition in grassland soil. Journal of Soil Science 39, 385-392.

Ibrahim, D.M. (1987) Cellulose decomposition in some Palace Leas meadow hay plots. MSc dissertation. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Jarvis, R.A., Hartnup, R.I. & Allison, J.W. (1977) Cockle Park Soil Map. Soil Survey of England and Wales, Harpenden.

MacGillivray, C.W. (1990) The evolution of phenotypic plasticity in Trifolium repens L. BSc dissertation Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Onwuegbuchulam, C.M. (1983) The purity and variability of Cockle Park soil map. MSc dissertation. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Orabi, A.A. (1977) The behaviour of zinc and manganese in the soils of Palace Leas plots. PhD thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Padmore, C.F. (1982) A study of nitrogen mineralisation in Palace Leas soils. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Pawson, H.C. (1946) Cockle Park, Morpeth, Jubilee 1896-1946. Northumberland Agricultural Experimental Station.

Pawson, H.C. (1947) Fifty year's work on grassland at Cockle Park. Journal of the British Grassland Society 2, 5-10.

Pawson, H.C. (1960) Cockle Park Farm. London, Oxford University Press.

Price, J.Y. (1983) Soil aeration in upland soil. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Saleh, B.A.M. (1985) Soil chemical and analytical techniques with particular reference to the Palace Leas meadow hay trial. MSc thesis. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Searl, P.L. (1968) A study of some Northumbrian boulder clays and their associated soils. PhD thesis. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Shayo-Ngowl, A.J. (1988) The hydrology of soil profiles as altered by long-term treatment on Palace Leas hay meadow plots. PhD thesis. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Shiel, R.S. & Batten, J.C. (1988) Redistribution of nitrogen and phosphorus on Palace Leas meadow hay plots as a result of aftermath grazing. Grass and Forage Science 43, 105-110.

Shiel, R.S. & Hopkins, D.W. (1991) Effect of long-term fertiliser and manure treatments on the botanical composition of the Palace Leas meadow hay plots. North of England Soils Discussion Group Proceedings 26, 35-56.

Shiel, R.S. & Rimmer, D.L. (1984) Changes in soil structure and biological activity on some meadow hay plots at Cockle Park, Northumberland. In: J. Tinsley & J.F. Darbyshire (Eds) Biological Processes and Soil Fertility. Vol. 11 of Developments in Plant and Soil Science, pp.349-356, Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publisher, The Hague.

Shiel, R.S. & Rimmer, D.L. (1984) Changes in soil structure and biological activity on some meadow hay plots at Cockle Park, Northumberland. Plant and Soil 76, 341-356.

Shiel, R.S. (1986) Variation in amounts of carbon and nitrogen associated with particle size fractions of soils from the Palace Leas meadow hay plots. Journal of Soil Science 37, 249-257.

Skinner, R.J. (1965) A study with release of "nonexchangeable" potassium in Cockle Park soils. BSc dissertation, AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Smith, R.S. (1988) The effect of fertilisers on the conservation interest of traditionally managed upland meadows. In: Bell, M. & Bunce, R.G.H. (Eds) Agriculture and Conservation in the Hills and Uplands, ITE Symposium 23, 38-43 NERC. ITE Merlewood Research Station.

Standen, V. (1982) Association of enchytraeidae (Oligochaetae) in experimentally fertilized grasslands. Journal of Animal Ecology 51, 501-522.

Thomas, B. & Thompson, A. (1948) The ash content of some grasses and herbs on the Palace Leas hay plots at Cockle Park. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 16, 221-239.

Thomas, B., Holmes, W.B. & Clapperton, J.L. (1955a) A study of meadow hays from the Cockle Park plots. Part I. Proximate constituents and digestibility. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 23, 25-33.

Thomas, B., Holmes, W.B. & Clapperton, J.L. (1955b) A study of meadow hays from the Cockle Park plots. Part II. Ash constituents. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 23, 101-108.

Thompson, F.C. (1951) Part II. The effect of manurial treatment on the changes in composition which occur during haymaking. MSc dissertation. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Walker, S. (1984) A study of effects of long-term fertiliser application on the diversity of species and botanical composition at Palace Leas meadow, Northumberland. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Webster, S.J. (1983) A study of nitrogen loss over winter. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Westerman, S. (1985) The effects of mixing and compaction on the rate of respiration in some soils from Palace Leas, Cockle Park, Northumberland. BSc dissertation. AES Dept. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.