Publication Date
1997
Description
Animal production in New Zealand is dependent on pastoral legumes to build soil nitrogen fertility, which otherwise limits the growth of the major sward component, grass. Traditionally, in order to sustain legume vigour, single superphosphate has been applied to elevate soil phosphorus and sulphur levels. Rarely have either the agronomic or nutrient efficiencies of these systems been assessed. Fourteen hill country pasture sites in three broad rainfall regimes were chosen to assess the effect of contrasting fertiliser histories on soil fertility, in particular nitrogen availability. At each site soil fertility indices and pasture production for the 1993/94 growing season were measured. Pasture production was strongly influenced by soil fertility and climate. Soil fertility was the dominant factor and of the soil fertility indices evaluated, Olsen P was the best predictor of pasture growth. Soil mineralisable N and the fraction of total N that was mineralisable were positively correlated to increasing soil P status.
Citation
Moir, J L.; Hedley, M J.; Mackay, A D.; and Tillman, R W., "The Effect of Fertiliser History on Nutrient Accumulation and Plant-Available Nutrient Supply in Legume-Based Pasture Soils" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 32.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session10/32
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effect of Fertiliser History on Nutrient Accumulation and Plant-Available Nutrient Supply in Legume-Based Pasture Soils
Animal production in New Zealand is dependent on pastoral legumes to build soil nitrogen fertility, which otherwise limits the growth of the major sward component, grass. Traditionally, in order to sustain legume vigour, single superphosphate has been applied to elevate soil phosphorus and sulphur levels. Rarely have either the agronomic or nutrient efficiencies of these systems been assessed. Fourteen hill country pasture sites in three broad rainfall regimes were chosen to assess the effect of contrasting fertiliser histories on soil fertility, in particular nitrogen availability. At each site soil fertility indices and pasture production for the 1993/94 growing season were measured. Pasture production was strongly influenced by soil fertility and climate. Soil fertility was the dominant factor and of the soil fertility indices evaluated, Olsen P was the best predictor of pasture growth. Soil mineralisable N and the fraction of total N that was mineralisable were positively correlated to increasing soil P status.
