Spatial variation in soil properties and diffuse losses between and within grassland fields with similar short‐term management

One of the major challenges for agriculture is to understand the effects of agricultural practices on soil properties and diffuse pollution, to support practical farm‐scale land management. Three conventionally managed grassland fields with similar short‐term management, but different ploughing histories, were studied on a long‐term research platform: the North Wyke Farm Platform. The aims were to (i) quantify the between‐field and within‐field spatial variation in soil properties by geostatistical analysis, (ii) understand the effects of soil condition (in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon contents) on the quality of discharge water and (iii) establish robust baseline data before the implementation of various grassland management scenarios. Although the fields sampled had experienced the same land use and similar management for at least 6 years, there were differences in their mean soil properties. They showed different patterns of soil spatial variation and different rates of diffuse nutrient losses to water. The oldest permanent pasture field had the largest soil macronutrient concentrations and the greatest diffuse nutrient losses. We show that management histories affect soil properties and diffuse losses. Potential gains in herbage yield or benefits in water quality might be achieved by characterizing every field or by area‐specific management within fields (a form of precision agriculture for grasslands). Permanent pasture per se cannot be considered a mitigation measure for diffuse pollution. The between‐ and within‐field soil spatial variation emphasizes the importance of baseline characterization and will enable the reliable identification of any effects of future management change on the Farm Platform. HIGHLIGHTS: Quantification of soil and water quality in grassland fields with contrasting management histories. Considerable spatial variation in soil properties and diffuse losses between and within fields. Contrasting management histories within and between fields strongly affected soil and water quality. Careful pasture management needed: the oldest pasture transferred the most nutrients from soil to water.