Time application of superphosphate and the yield of pasture on an acid soil.

Abstract

Superphosphate was applied in summer (December) or in autumn (March) to an existing mixed pasture of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and phalaris (Phalaris tuberosa L.), growing on apodsolic soil of p H 5.8. Time of application effects were recorded at the lowest level of applied phosphate. The main effect was on the botanical composition of the pasture. The summer application favoured clover, the autumn one grass. This effect is explained as a change in the relative ability of the species to compete for superphosphate. These results suggest how time and rate of application of superphosphate may be used to manage pasture composition. In the first year, when clover growth was encouraged, the earlier application also increased the total yield of pasture. In the second and third years, changes in the yield of grass were offset by changes ill the yield of clover and the effect of time of application on total pasture yield was not significant.