Phosphorus, Sulphur and Micronutrients on Grassland Improvement with White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) on Basaltic Soils in Uruguay

Phosphorus, Sulphur and Micronutrients on Grassland Improvement with White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) on Basaltic Soils in Uruguay

Grasslands improvement with legumes is a promising technology for increasing forage quality and productivity on basaltic soils, but requires the correction of nutrient deficiencies. Phosphorus is a key element, but usual techniques of soil analysis are not good predictors. An experimental work was conducted in the northern region of the country. Evaluating the response of an improvement with white clover to P. Citric Acid showed a good association between soil P status and legume behavior. In addition there was a positive trend in forage production, in relation to S application, even though this effect was only significant in legume yield during the second year. Neither Mo nor B resulted in significant effects on forage yield. Results should be considered as preliminary, due to climatic problems that limited the experimental work.