Data from: Crop Diversity Effects on Near-Surface Soil Condition under Dryland Agriculture

Crop rotations significantly affect economic and environmental outcomes on agricultural land. In the context of environmental outcomes related to key soil attributes, crop rotations can alter soil structure, soil water properties, and nutrient retention and availability. A study was conducted to quantify crop rotation effects on a suite of soil properties across four long-term cropping systems and a nearby grazed pasture. The cropping systems, differing in cropping intensity and rotational diversity, were located on the Area IV Soil Conservation Districts Cooperative Research Farm near Mandan, North Dakota USA. The pasture was located approximately 2.5 km east of the cropped fields, possessed the same soil type and landscape attributes, had never been tilled, and was grazed by cattle at a low stocking rate (2.6 ha/steer) as part of an experiment established in 1916. Samples were collected in spring 2012 from the 0-10 cm depth using a step-down probe. Soil samples were evaluated for soil bulk density, electrical conductivity, soil pH, total nitrogen, organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and particulate organic matter carbon and nitrogen. In-field measurements of infiltration rate were conducted at the time of sampling. Laboratory methods followed accepted protocols, while infiltration rate was estimated using a single ring infiltrometer. Data may be used to better understand soil property responses to cropping system diversity under rainfed conditions within a semiarid continental climate. Applicable USDA soil types include Temvik, Wilton, Grassna, Linton, Mandan, and Williams.