Description
The effects of a soil biological stimulant (SS) and biologically activated reactive phosphate rock (BAP) on pasture yield and botanical composition were examined in a field trial in low-fertility New Zealand rangeland. BAP application significantly increased pasture yield by 60% and BAP plus biostimulant increased yield by 120%. BAP significantly increased resident legume cover by 75% and BAP with biostimulants by 85%. Alfalfa, direct drilled as an indicator test species, increased in establishment from 0 to 3.8 plants m-2 with BAP and to 4.2 plants m-2 with BAP plus biostimulant. Biostimulant applied alone increased yield by 17%, legume cover by 2% and alfalfa establishment by 0.1 plants m-2. These results are consistent with previous trials in high-fertility pastures and may assist in the development of sustainable agriculture.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.13023/5yzm-jb44
Citation
Espie, P. R.; Haswell, S.; and Barton, A., "Biological Stimulants Increase Fertilizer Efficiency and Pasture Legume Content" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 21.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/XXV_IGC_2023/Sustainability/21
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Biological Stimulants Increase Fertilizer Efficiency and Pasture Legume Content
The effects of a soil biological stimulant (SS) and biologically activated reactive phosphate rock (BAP) on pasture yield and botanical composition were examined in a field trial in low-fertility New Zealand rangeland. BAP application significantly increased pasture yield by 60% and BAP plus biostimulant increased yield by 120%. BAP significantly increased resident legume cover by 75% and BAP with biostimulants by 85%. Alfalfa, direct drilled as an indicator test species, increased in establishment from 0 to 3.8 plants m-2 with BAP and to 4.2 plants m-2 with BAP plus biostimulant. Biostimulant applied alone increased yield by 17%, legume cover by 2% and alfalfa establishment by 0.1 plants m-2. These results are consistent with previous trials in high-fertility pastures and may assist in the development of sustainable agriculture.
