The establishment of pasture on yellow-brown loams near Te Anau

Abstract

In the presence of adequate phosphate, oversowing clover seed into stunted bracken (Pteridium esculentum (Forst. f.) Diels) proved highly successful, and resulted in a dense clover cover. Grass establishment, though very slow, was good after three years. Rates of lime-reverted superphosphate in excess of 2 cwt per acre were necessary for clover establishment. Six and 9 cwt proved superior to 4 cwt, which was much superior to 2 cwt. An initial application of 6 cwt lime-reverted superphosphate is recommended. Grass establishment was less dependent on phosphate, and some grasses survived without phosphatic fertiliser despite the low nitrogen status of the soil. Once soil nitrogen had increased through the fixation of nitrogen by the clovers, responses were noted in grass vigour with increasing rate of phosphate application. Lime aided grass establishment, but tended to depress clover growth, probably by inducing trace element deficiencies. Lime is not considered essential in the initial development programme.