Variations in the Water Soluble Carbohydrate Content of Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and Soil Chemical Characteristics in the Northern Part of the Kamikawa and Tokachi Areas

Abstract

We collected timothy and soil from the grassland of dairy farmers in the northern part of the Kamikawa area (lowland and upland soils) and at the foot of mountains in and the central area of the Tokachi area (volcanic soil), and variations in the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and mineral contents in the grass and soil chemical characteristics were evaluated. The mean WSC content was 5.49% in the lowland soil, 4.94% in the upland soil, and 4.30% in the volcanic soil, being the lowest and showing the least variation in the volcanic soil. The mean K content in the grass was 1.95-2.34% in dry matter, being the highest in the volcanic soil. The volcanic soil showed a high mean soil pH and marked accumulation of available phosphoric acid and exchangeable K.