The effect of chemical fertilizers on seedling establishment

Abstract

The effect of banding a range of commercial fertilizers with the seed, on the establishment of a number of crop and pasture species, was studied. The order of susceptibility of species to germination damage was swede turnips>chou moellier> subterranean clover> phalaris> perennial ryegrass> cowpeas> vetches> wheat > oats, which was least affected of all. Superphosphate caused the least reduction in establishment, potassium chloride was intermediate and nitrogenous fertilizers caused the greatest reduction. Of the nitrogen fertilizers urea was the most harmful, sulphate of ammonia intermediate, and calcium ammonium nitrate caused least effect. Low soil moisture content greatly increased fertilizer damage.