Table 1.

Details of the five experimental sites.

Beech FarmGrunty FenPimboShaw TipYanley
Latitude and longitude51.78N, 0.26W52.40N, 0.20E53.53N, 2.74W51.57N, 1.83W51.43N, 2.64W
National grid referenceTL 200100TL 497798SD 512040SU 122858ST 556698
Altitude (m O.D.)  80  13105100  20
Annual rainfall (mm)675550900700900
Windiness (DAMS) scorez  12  12  13  12  10
Soil and soil-forming materialsSandy loam topsoil and subsoil300 mm clay topsoil over clay subsoilImported, variousCoral Rag limestone100 mm topsoil over Keuper Marl
Ground preparationComplete cultivation to 1.0 m using excavatorComplete cultivation to 1.0 m using excavatorLoose tippingLoose tippingComplete cultivation to 1.0 m using excavator
Soil thickness (m)    1.0    1.0    1.5    1.5    1.5
Topsoil pHy    6.9–7.2    7.3–8.1    8.0–8.7    8.3    8.0–8.3
Topsoil organic carbon (%)    1.8    3.7    1.4    1.2    4.6
Topsoil phosphorus (mg/L)y    9.2  16.1  16.2    4.0    8.0
Topsoil potassium (mg/L)y  79303  81  88  82
Planting year1993/19961994199419941994

  • ↵zThe DAMS windiness score is a function of elevation, topographic exposure, aspect, funneling effects, and wind zoning of the country (Bell et al. 1995).

  • ↵ySoil analyses follow Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1986).