Root growth of subterranean clover on some acid sandy soils in Victoria

Abstract

Dressings of lime at 10 cwt an acre or more, are essential for the growth of subterranean clover on some acid sand soils in southern Victoria. Clover root growth is very restricted in these soils without lime. In glasshouse trials the clover roots were concentrated in the lime treated portions of the soil. Superphosphate placement, also affected the location of the roots. Aluminium has been reported in the literature for many years as a cause of inhibited root growth. The relation between the level of exchangeable aluminium found in limed and unlimed soils and subterranean clover root growth in glasshouse trials is reported in this paper.