Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia
M. L. Mitchell
A D , M. R. McCaskill B and R. D. Armstrong C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Agriculture Victoria Research, 124 Chiltern Valley Road, Rutherglen, Vic. 3685, Australia.
B Agriculture Victoria Research, 915 Mount Napier Road, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.
C Agriculture Victoria Research, 110 Natimuk Road, Horsham, Vic. 3400, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: Meredith.mitchell@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Crop and Pasture Science 70(12) 1044-1052 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP19217
Submitted: 22 November 2018 Accepted: 7 August 2019 Published: 31 October 2019
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2019 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Approximately 3.1 Mha (22%) of the agricultural area of south-eastern Australia can be classified as native pasture. There is the assumption that, owing to the widespread occurrence of low-fertility soils in Australia, native grass species do not respond to increased phosphorus (P) fertility. Currently, there are no industry recommendations of target soil-test P values for native-grass-based pastures. This paper reviews the responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application in controlled environments, surveys, replicated experiments and paired-paddock trials. Eighty-seven site-years of trial data where different levels of P were applied, conducted over the last two decades, on native-based pastures in south-eastern Australia are reviewed. Data indicate that application of P fertilisers to native grass pastures can increase dry matter (DM) production and maintain pasture stability. However, minimum targets for herbage mass (800 kg DM/ha) and groundcover (80%) are required to ensure persistence of perennial native grasses. Stocking rates also need to match carrying capacity of the pasture. Based on previous research, we recommend target soil-test (Olsen; 0–10 cm) P levels for fertility-tolerant native grass pastures, based on Microlaena stipoides, Rytidosperma caespitosum, R. fulvum, R. richardsonii, R. duttonianum and R. racemosum, of 10–13 mg/kg, whereas for pastures based on fertility-intolerant species such as Themeda triandra, lower levels of <6 mg/kg are required to ensure botanical stability.
Additional keywords: Bothriochloa, kangaroo grass, red grass, Themeda, weeping grass, wallaby grass.
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