S1_Dataset_Bayliff et al.

We examined the effects of different mowing heights on the plant and soil characteristics of an irrigated and fertilized perennial cropping system in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada primarily composed of Medicago sativa, Phleum pratense, and Trifolium pratense. Mowing treatments included cutting heights of 0 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, and an unmowed control treatment. Mowing treatments were applied three times throughout the study duration, followed by a final harvest. Data were collected on aboveground plant productivity, plant community diversity, and levels of soil carbon, nitrogen, and organic matter. Results showed plant productivity to be greatest at lower cutting heights, decreasing as cutting height increased. M0, M5, and M10 treatments produced over 300% more cumulative biomass than the control treatment. There were no differences across mowing treatments for measures of species diversity. The ten-centimetre treatment produced highest values of soil carbon, nitrogen, and organic matter than many other mowing treatments after three treatment applications (p