Effect of reclamation on soil properties of zonal and intrazonal grasslands in agro-pastoral ecotone

A paired-site design was adopted to quantitatively evaluate and compare the changes of soil properties between reclaimed lands from zonal and intrazonal grasslands, which would be applied to develop scientific strategies and programs for land use in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China. The results showed that the soil texture became coarse after reclamation, accordingly, soil bulk density increased and soil water holding capacity reduced;The contents of soil organic carbon, dissoluble organic carbon, available phosphorus, available kalium and soil available trace elements decreased. The reclamation of zonal grassland led to the shortage of available Fe and Mn in the soil. It would make a strong impact on growth of crop. Based on the analysis and comparison of soil properties changes of reclamation land in the zonal and intrazonal grasslands, it was concluded that the farmers should reserve high crop residue in the farmland, postpone properly the ploughing time for the sake of reducing wind erosion, and improve soil quality through returning straw to field and applying organic fertilizer. Meanwhile it would be important measures to stop reclaiming zonal grassland, to return the crop field into grassland and scientifically use the intrazonal grassland in agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China.