Erosion plot studies at the Hilton Experimental Site, east Shropshire, have evaluated the effects of set-aside on runoff and erosion. The fundamental objectives of this paper are to : present results of long-term soil organic matter (SOM) changes
related to grass ley set-aside; discuss effects of SOM dynamics on soil erodibility; discuss associated SOM and texture associations; and discuss the importance of establishing permanent benchmark SOM and soil organic carbon data.