Comparing different sources of sulfur for high-rainfall pastures insouth-western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
J. S. Yeates ◽  
M. F. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
S Deficiency ◽  
Different Sources

The dry herbage yield increase (response) of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)-based pasture (>85% clover) to applications of different sources of sulfur (S) was compared in 7 field experiments on very sandy soils in the > 650 mm annual average rainfall areas of south-western Australia where S deficiency of clover is common when pastures grow rapidly during spring (August–November). The sources compared were single superphosphate, finely grained and coarsely grained gypsum from deposits in south-western Australia, and elemental S. All sources were broadcast (topdressed) once only onto each plot, 3 weeks after pasture emerged at the start of the first growing season. In each subsequent year, fresh fertiliser-S as single superphosphate was applied 3 weeks after pasture emerged to nil-S plots previously not treated with S since the start of the experiment. This was to determine the residual value of sources applied at the start of the experiment in each subsequent year relative to superphosphate freshly-applied in each subsequent year. In addition, superphosphate was also applied 6, 12 and 16 weeks after emergence of pasture in each year, using nil-S plots not previously treated with S since the start of the experiment. Pasture responses to applied S are usually larger after mid-August, so applying S later may match plant demand increasing the effectiveness of S for pasture production and may also reduce leaching losses of the applied S.At the same site, yield increases to applied S varied greatly, from 0 to 300%, at different harvests in the same or different years. These variations in yield responses to applied S are attributed to the net effect of mineralisation of different amounts of S from soil organic matter, dissolution of S from fertilisers, and different amounts of leaching losses of S from soil by rainfall. Within each year at each site, yield increases were mostly larger in spring (September–November) than in autumn (June–August). In the year of application, single superphosphate was equally or more effective than the other sources. In years when large responses to S occurred, applying single superphosphate later in the year was more effective than applying single superphosphate 3 weeks after pasture emerged (standard practice), so within each year the most recently applied single superphosphate treatment was the most effective S source. All sources generally had negligible residual value, so S needed to be applied each year to ensure S deficiency did not reduce pasture production.

Soil and tissue tests to predict pasture yield responses to applications of potassium fertiliser in high-rainfall areas of south-western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
W. J. Cox ◽  
B. J. Codling
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Yield Responses

Dairy and beef pastures in the high (>800 mm annual average) rainfall areas of south-western Australia, based on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), grow on acidic to neutral deep (>40 cm) sands, up to 40 cm sand over loam or clay, or where loam or clay occur at the surface. Potassium deficiency is common, particularly for the sandy soils, requiring regular applications of fertiliser potassium for profitable pasture production. A large study was undertaken to assess 6 soil-test procedures, and tissue testing of dried herbage, as predictors of when fertiliser potassium was required for these pastures. The 100 field experiments, each conducted for 1 year, measured dried-herbage production separately for clover and ryegrass in response to applied fertiliser potassium (potassium chloride). Significant (P<0.05) increases in yield to applied potassium (yield response) were obtained in 42 experiments for clover and 6 experiments for ryegrass, indicating that grass roots were more able to access potassium from the soil than clover roots. When percentage of the maximum (relative) yield was related to soil-test potassium values for the top 10 cm of soil, the best relationships were obtained for the exchangeable (1 mol/L NH4Cl) and Colwell (0.5 mol/L NaHCO3-extracted) soil-test procedures for potassium. Both procedures accounted for about 42% of the variation for clover, 15% for ryegrass, and 32% for clover + grass. The Colwell procedure for the top 10 cm of soil is now the standard soil-test method for potassium used in Western Australia. No increases in clover yields to applied potassium were obtained for Colwell potassium at >100 mg/kg soil. There was always a clover-yield increase to applied potassium for Colwell potassium at <30 mg/kg soil. Corresponding potassium concentrations for ryegrass were >50 and <30 mg/kg soil. At potassium concentrations 30–100 mg/kg soil for clover and 30–50 mg/kg soil for ryegrass, the Colwell procedure did not reliably predict yield response, because from nil to large yield responses to applied potassium occurred. The Colwell procedure appears to extract the most labile potassium in the soil, including soluble potassium in soil solution and potassium balancing negative charge sites on soil constituents. In some soils, Colwell potassium was low indicating deficiency, yet plant roots may have accessed potassum deeper in the soil profile. Where the Colwell procedure does not reliably predict soil potassium status, tissue testing may help. The relationship between relative yield and tissue-test potassium varied markedly for different harvests in each year of the experiments, and for different experiments. For clover, the concentration of potassium in dried herbage that was related to 90% of the maximum, potassium non-limiting yield (critical potassium) was at the concentration of about 15 g/kg dried herbage for plants up to 8 weeks old, and at <10 g/kg dried herbage for plants older than 10–12 weeks. For ryegrass, there were insufficient data to provide reliable estimates of critical potassium.

Single and coastal superphosphates are equally effective as sulfur fertilisers for subterranean clover on very sandy soils in high rainfall areas of south-western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
J. S. Yeates ◽  
M. F. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
Coastal Superphosphate

To reduce leaching of phosphorus (P) from fertilised pastures to shallow estuaries in the high rainfall (>800 mm annual average) areas of south-western Australia, and to supply extra sulfur (S) for subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in pasture, 'coastal superphosphate' was developed as a possible alternative P and S fertiliser to single superphosphate. Coastal superphosphate is made by adding phosphate rock and elemental S to single superphosphate as it comes out of the den before granulation. It has about 3 times more sulfur (S) and one-third the water-soluble P content than single superphosphate. Four long-term (5-year) field experiments were conducted in south-western Australia to compare the effectiveness of single and coastal superphosphate as S fertilisers for subterranean clover pasture grown on very sandy soils that are frequently S deficient after July each year due to leaching of S from soil. Seven different amounts of S were applied as fertiliser annually. Fertiliser effectiveness was assessed from clover herbage yield and S concentration in dried herbage. Fertiliser nitrogen was not applied in these experiments as this was the normal practice for pastures in the region when the research was conducted.Both coastal and single superphosphates were equally effective per unit of applied S for producing dried clover herbage and increasing S concentration in herbage. Previous research on very sandy soils in the region had shown that coastal superphosphate was equally or more effective per unit of applied P for production of subterranean clover herbage. It is, therefore, concluded that coastal superphosphate is a suitable alternative S and P fertiliser for clover pastures on very sandy soils in the region. The concentration of S in dried clover herbage that was related to 90% of the maximum yield (critical S) was about 0.20–0.35% S during August (before flowering) and 0.15–0.20% S during October (after flowering).

Response of annual pastures to applications of limestone in the high rainfall areas of south-western Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 925 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
D. G. Allen ◽  
Z. Rengel
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
Yield Responses

The yield response of long-term pastures growing on acidified soil to applications of limestone (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 t/ha with adequate magnesium fertiliser, and 0 and 5 t/ha with no magnesium fertiliser) was measured in 5 field experiments on different representative soils of the high rainfall areas of south-western Australia. After application, limestone was incorporated 1 cm deep in 3 experiments, 3 cm deep in 1 experiment, and 7 cm in another experiment. The pastures comprised subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), and annual and Italian ryegrass (Lolium rigidum and L. multiflorum), the dominant species found in intensively grazed dairy and beef pastures of the region. Yields were measured when ryegrass plants had 3 leaves per tiller, which is when pastures in the region are grazed to maximise utilisation by cattle.Subsoil acidity was a problem at 4 of the 5 sites, and was so severe at 1 site that, despite having the lowest soil pH to 50 cm depth, there was no yield response to limestone incorporated to 3 cm deep. Applications of fertiliser magnesium had no significant effect on pasture production, soil pH, aluminium and manganese, or concentration of magnesium in dried herbage in any of the 5 experiments. Increasing amounts of limestone consistently: (i) increased soil pH, by between 1–2 pH units in the top 5 cm of soil, and 0.5–1.0 of a pH unit in the 5–10 cm soil profile; and (ii) decreased, by up to 84–98%, the amount of exchangeable aluminium in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm soil profiles. During 3 years (1998–2000) there were: (i) no yield responses to limestone for a total of 9 assessments on a sand, or 11 assessments on a sandy gravel; (ii) 2 significant (P<0.05) yield responses to limestone, from a total of 8 assessments on a loamy clay and from 9 assessments on a loam; (iii) 9 significant yield responses from a total of 13 assessments on a sandy loam (2 from 5 assessments in 1998, 3 from 4 assessments in 1999, and all 4 assessments in 2000). The sandy loam had the largest amount of exchangeable aluminium in the top 5 cm of soil [about 1.6 cmol(+)/kg, accounting for 35% of the exchangeable cations]. Increasing limestone applications did not induce deficiency or toxicity of any nutrient elements in subterranean clover or ryegrass dried herbage and, for dried herbage of bulk samples of both species, had no effect on dry matter digestibility, metabolisable energy and concentration of crude protein.

Comparison of single superphosphate and superphosphate coated with bauxite residue for subterranean clover production on phosphorus-leaching soils

Soil Research ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Summers ◽  
Martin Clarke ◽  
Tim Pope ◽  
Tim O'Dea
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
Bauxite Residue ◽  
Phosphorus Uptake ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Glasshouse Experiment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Coated Granules

Bauxite residue from alumina refining was used to coat granules of single superphosphate to reduce the leaching of phosphorus in coarse, sandy soils for pastures in high rainfall areas of south-western Australia (>800 mm annual average). The impact of coating the superphosphate on the leaching of phosphorus was measured in a glasshouse experiment and the effectiveness of the fertiliser using dry herbage yield of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) was measured in a field experiment. The glasshouse experiment measured the effect of coating the superphosphate with bauxite residue at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40% by weight. A coating of 25% (by weight) was chosen for the field experiment. In the glasshouse experiment, the coated granules were applied to columns of soil, where subterranean clover was grown under leaching conditions. A coating of 30%, by weight, reduced leaching of single superphosphate by about half. Increasing the coating of bauxite residue also increased the phosphorus uptake and increased the plant growth. In the field trial, the effectiveness of single superphosphate with a bauxite residue coating of 25% by weight was increased on average by 100% in Year 1, 303% in Year 2, and 158% in Year 3, relative to freshly applied single superphosphate. The bauxite residue coating also increased the phosphorus content of the herbage in a similar manner to the increases in yield. Limited soil phosphorus tests showed only minor increases in the residues of phosphorus where the superphosphate had been coated with bauxite residue.

Effect of fertiliser phosphorus and nitrogen on the concentrations of oil and protein in grain and the grain yield of canola (Brassica napus L.) grown in south-western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 984 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Brennan ◽  
M. D. A. Bolland
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Soil P Testing

The effect of fertiliser phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) on seed (grain) yield and concentration of oil and protein in grain of canola (oil-seed rape; Brassica napus L.) was measured in two field experiments undertaken at eight sites from 1993–2005 in south-western Australia, on soils deficient in P and N. Six rates of P (0–40 kg P/ha as single superphosphate) and four rates of N (0–138 kg N/ha as urea) were applied. Significant grain yield increases (responses) to applied P occurred in both experiments and these responses increased as rates of applied N increased. For grain production, the P × N interaction was significant in all eight years and locations of the two experiments. Application of P had no effect on concentration of oil and protein in grain. Application of N always decreased the concentration of oil and increased the concentration of protein in grain. For canola grain production in the region, responses to applied N always occur whereas responses to applied P are rare, but if soil P testing indicates likely P deficiency, both P and N fertiliser need to be applied.

The short-term effects of rock phosphate and super-phosphate on a subterranean clover pasture.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
PG Ozanne
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
First Year ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Second Year

A 2-year field experiment is described, in which an annual-type pasture was grown on a soil of lateritic origin with various initial rates of rock phosphate and superphosphate. The soil was acutely deficient in plant-available phosphorus at the outset. Application of superphosphate led to the expected increases in total pasture production, but rock phosphate also gave substantial yield increases, even during the first season. Differential species effects were noted; subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and cape-weed (Cryptostemma calendula Druce) responded about equally to superphosphate, but the clover responded to rock phosphate to a greater extent than did cape-weed. Both relative efficiency for total plant growth and percentage utilization of applied phosphorus were much higher with the soluble phosphatic fertilizer than with rock phosphate, especially in the first year. However, phosphorus recovery from rock phosphate was as high in the second year as in the first, whereas there was a marked decrease in the second year from superphosphate.

An analysis of the frequency and timing of false break events in the Mediterranean region of Western Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chapman ◽  
S. Asseng
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dormancy Release ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
The Mediterranean

Historical meteorological data were used to estimate the frequency and timing of false break events at 10 locations in the annual pasture and wheat producing area in the Mediterranean climatic region of Western Australia. The seasonal pattern of false breaks identified by this analysis was compared with the dynamics of dormancy release in a field population of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) to determine the influence that these events may have on the legume content of annual pasture communities in this region. False break events were estimated to occur on approximately 2 of every 3 years (611–72% of years) with no significant differences across the area investigated. Changes in the risk of false break events were examined over discrete time periods. The period of greatest risk was predicted to occur during early autumn (early March to mid April). Seed softening is virtually complete in subterranean clover at this point. The seed bank strategy of this species is, therefore, not well adapted to withstand the effects of false breaks. This might largely explain the poor persistence of subterranean clover in the annual pasture communities in the Mediterranean region of Western Australia. The legume content of these pastures might be improved by selecting species with late dormancy release strategies that will give better protection from false breaks.

Residual value of molybdenum trioxide for clover production on an acidic sandy podzol

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Molybdenum Trioxide ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
The Other ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Yield Plateau ◽  
Mo Content

The residual value (RV) of molybdenum (Mo) for clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) production was measured for an acidic sand when the fertiliser was spread over the soil surface (topdressed). The RV of Mo, as molybdenum trioxide, the most widely used Mo fertiliser in Western Australia, was measured using yield of dry herbage (DM), Mo concentration of DM, and Mo content of DM (yield of DM multiplied by the Mo concentration of DM). The RV of Mo fertiliser was measured in 1993 for fertiliser Mo applied once only to plots not treated with Mo before, either in 1993 (current Mo) or 1-10 years previously (previous Mo). Relative to the nil-Mo treatment, additions of Mo fertiliser increased DM yield by about 1.20 t/ha (20% DM increase) in October. When 80 or 320 g Mo/ha was applied, all yields were on the maximum yield plateau except for Mo applied 10 years previously. The yield for the 80 g Mo/ha treatment applied 10 years earlier decreased by about 15% relative to the other current and previous Mo treatments. However, as measured using Mo concentration and Mo content in DM, there was a continuous decline in the effectiveness of previous Mo relative to current Mo the longer the previous Mo was in contact with the soil. The decrease in RV was about the same as measured using Mo concentration or content in tissue. Molybdenum applied 5 years previously was about one-third as effective as current Mo for Mo content or Mo concentration of DM.

Occurrence of Phytophthora clandestina in Trifolium subterraneum paddocks in Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aldaoud ◽  
W. Guppy ◽  
L. Callinan ◽  
S. F. Flett ◽  
K. A. Wratten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Differential Cultivars

In 1995–96, a survey of soil samples from subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) paddocks was conducted across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, to determine the distribution and the prevalence of races of Phytophthora clandestina (as determined by the development of root rot on differential cultivars), and the association of its occurrence with paddock variables. In all states, there was a weak but significant association between P. clandestina detected in soil samples and subsequent root rot susceptibility of differential cultivars grown in these soil samples. Phytophthora clandestina was found in 38% of the sampled sites, with a significantly lower prevalence in South Australia (27%). There were significant positive associations between P. clandestina detection and increased soil salinity (Western Australia), early growth stages of subterranean clover (Victoria), mature subterranean clover (South Australia), recently sown subterranean clover (South Australia), paddocks with higher subterranean clover content (Victoria), where herbicides were not applied (South Australia), irrigation (New South Wales and Victoria), cattle grazing (South Australia and Victoria), early sampling dates (Victoria and New South Wales), sampling shortly after the autumn break or first irrigation (Victoria), shorter soil storage time (Victoria) and farmer’s perception of root rot being present (Victoria and New South Wales). Only 29% of P. clandestina isolates could be classified under the 5 known races. Some of the unknown races were virulent on cv. Seaton Park LF (most resistant) and others were avirulent on cv. Woogenellup (most susceptible). Race 1 was significantly less prevalent in South Australia than Victoria and race 0 was significantly less prevalent in New South Wales than in South Australia and Western Australia. This study revealed extremely wide variation in the virulence of P. clandestina. The potential importance of the results on programs to breed for resistance to root rot are discussed. in South Australia.

Increased seed production of subterranean clover pastures in response to fertilizers supplying calcium

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Ozanne ◽  
KMW Howes
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Gypsum Plaster ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

The effects of four common fertilizers containing calcium on seed production in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were measured at six locations over five years in a total of fifteen field experiments. Calcium as a sulphate, carbonate or phosphate salt was applied to subterranean clover pastures either at the start of the growing season (autumn) or at flowering (spring). Gypsum, plaster of Paris, or lime gave large increases in seed yield per unit area and also per unit weight of tops. Spring applications of superphosphate increased seed yields in only two out of four experiments. Gypsum applied in spring at 200-500 kg ha-1 was as effective as 2,000 kg ha-1 of lime applied in autumn. Applications of lime in spring were much less effective. Increased seed yields were due to increases in burr yield, seed number per burr, and mean weight per seed. They were usually accompanied by increases in calcium concentration in the seed. Responses in seed production to calcium applications were obtained in all three sub-species of Trifolium subterraneum. In two experiments, newly sown on a soil type on which subterranean clover regeneration and persistence is commonly very poor, applied calcium doubled or quadrupled seed set. In 13 experiments using soils on which subterranean clover had persisted as the major component of the pasture for several years, calcium in the year of application increased the total seed bank by 6 to 31 per cent, and the current seed set by a greater amount.

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