Long-term cattle grazing impacts root morphology and soil distribution in Malaysia.
The study examined how long-term grazing of cows affects the root characteristics of Brachiaria decumbens in a tropical pasture in Malaysia. Different grazing treatments were compared, and root samples were analyzed for length, diameter, surface area, and volume. The distribution of roots in the soil was also studied. The results showed that moderate-intensity rotational grazing did not have a negative impact on the root characteristics of Brachiaria decumbens. However, the weight and density of roots varied significantly with grazing intensity and soil depth, with higher root weight in grazed areas compared to ungrazed areas.