Comparative Trials of Seed Pelleting, Inoculation and the Use of High Lime Dressings in Upland Reclamation

Abstract

SUMMARYAt 3 centres in North, South and Central Wales, respectively, trials were made to compare the establishment and growth of white clover using seed pelleted with lime or with lime + Gafsa phosphate on unlimed soil, and non‐pelleted seed on limed or unlimed (control) soils. All treatments were divided into inoculated and uninoculated sections using an effective strain of Rhizobium trifolii. There were significant differences in clover establishment between the unlimed control plots and those that received 3 tons of ground limestone/acre but no overall significant effect of inoculation. The no. of nodules/plant was increased significantly both by high lime applications and by lime pelleting with inoculation. Both high lime and lime pelleting gave higher clover contents of the sward, and the total increase in clover due to inoculation was also highly significant. While the percentage clover in the sward derived from pelleted seed is low compared with that in the high lime plots it is considered that the use of inoculated pelleted seed is a cheaper and easier method of upland reclamation than applying heavy dressings of lime.