High Country Yellow-brown Earths Research Articles

Effect of trampling on the soils of the St James Walkway, New Zealand

Abstract. The influence of trampling on the soils of the St James Walkway was studied during 1985 by comparing ‘on’‐ and off‐track sites. Trampling increased the average soil bulk density by 0.3 g/cm3 at 0–5 cm depth and by 0.1 g/cm3 at 10–15 cm depth. Trampling increased the average soil shear strength by 11 kPa at 0–5 cm depth and by 6 kPa at 5–10 cm depth. All mineral soils were compacted to some extent by trampling. The podzolized high country yellow‐brown earths (Dystrochrepts) were the most affected because their organic topsoil was truncated. Their exposed subsoil was however more resistant to further damage than their topsoil. Organic soils (Medihemists) were not compacted but their very low shear strength and high moisture content make them unsuitable for tracks. Untrampled soil bulk density and soil stone content were negatively correlated with the change in bulk density by trampling, and could be used to predict the risk of soil compaction by trampling.

Effects of lime and 5 years' sulphur and phosphorus applications on soil pH, sulphur, and phosphorus status of tussock grassland soils on East Otago uplands

Abstract The effects of lime and fertiliser application on changes in soil chemical properties of four sites on upland and high country yellow-brown earths and one site on podzolised yellow-brown earth on the Otago Uplands between 470 and 1100 m altitude are reported for a 5-year period. Soil pH was very significantly (P < 0.001) raised 0.6–0.8 units by 4.01 lime/ha and after 5 years, limed soils were 0.3–0.8 pH units above unlimed controls (P < 0.001). Differences were attributed to increasing leaching with increasing rainfall and altitude. Soil SO4-S levels were increased at all sites by annual application of 50 kg sulphur (S)/ha as gypsum. The decreasing amount of SO4-S retained within the profile, and the decreasing proportion of total S as SO4-S with increasing altitude was also related to the increasing leaching. Olsen phosphorus (P) levels in soils were raised quantitatively and significantly in proportion to the amounts applied over 5 years: each 10 kg P/ha applied annually resulted in an average ...

Evaluation of the agronomic potential of pasture legume introductions on droughty outwash soils

Abstract Lucerne is no more productive than traditional clovers on drought-prone, low fertility soils with acid subsoils. Introductions of a variety of alternative legumes, and in particular Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), were compared on a high country yellow-brown earth soil developed on outwashed plains with acid subsoils. Lines and cultivars were scored for a variety of agronomic attributes, the most important in this environment being dry matter yields, autumn production, persistence, and drought tolerance. Principal component analysis was used to order the large amounts of data. Several cultivars and lines of L. corniculatus originating from Mediterranean/mild temperate, maritime Europe/cool temperate climates and South America were superior to other legume species and to other cultivars and lines of L. corniculatus. Individual plants which were consistently superior were selected to be cloned to produce an experimental “Dry land” cultivar.

Plant succession on moraines of the upper Dart Valley, southern South Island, New Zealand

Abstract Development of plant communities is described from a series of low-alpine moraines at 2 sites in the upper Dart Valley, close to the main divide of the Southern Alps, in Mount Aspiring National Park. These moraines probably contain one of the most complete chronosequences of low-alpine vegetation and soil in southern South Island. Results of multivariate analyses of vegetational data enabled an objective description of the plant chronosequence at each site from pioneer to near-climax phases. Current uncertainty with lichenometry based on Rhizocarpon geographicum thalli in Canterbury has frustrated attempts to obtain absolute ages for the moraines. Soil development has led to a weakly podzolised High Country Yellow Brown Earth at both sites. Colour differentiation within the profile and podzolisation are more obvious at the lower altitude site (approx. 1100 m) in association with a Chionochloa pallens-Dracophyllum uniflorum mixed snow tussock-scrub than at the higher site (approx. 1400 m) under a ...

Growth and nutrition of legumes on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil

The phosphate response patterns of tropical and temperate legumes were compared in a glasshouse trial on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil. Differences in growth and P response patterns could be explained by the known differences in tolerance of Al toxicity. The temperate legumes Lotus pedunculatus and Lupinus polyphyllus appeared to be able to tolerate Al toxicity as well as the torpicallegume Lotononis bainsu and more so than Trifolium semipilosum. However Trifolium repens was less tolerant than T. semipilosum. Of the species studied, Lupinus polyphyllus was the only one capable of reasonable growth where no P was added to the soil. The greater seed reserves of Lupinus appeared to contribute substantially to its greater growth and P uptake under conditions of low P input.

Growth and nutrition of legumes on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil

Abstract The phosphate response patterns of tropical and temperate legumes were compared in a glasshouse trial on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil. Differences in growth and P response patterns could be explained by the known differences in tolerance of Al toxicity. The temperate legumes Lotus pedunculatus and Lupinus polyphyllus appeared to be able to tolerate Al toxicity as well as the torpicallegume Lotononis bainsu and more so than Trifolium semipilosum. However Trifolium repens was less tolerant than T. semipilosum. Of the species studied, Lupinus polyphyllus was the only one capable of reasonable growth where no P was added to the soil. The greater seed reserves of Lupinus appeared to contribute substantially to its greater growth and P uptake under conditions of low P input.

Growth and nutrition of legumes on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil

Lucerne, white clover, and lotus were grown with three rates of lime and three rates of phosphate on a high country yellow-brown earth subsoil. Lime equivalent to 2000 kg.ha-1 depressed exchangeable aluminium (AI) and manganese levels, and increased growth of all species. The lime response was attributed to alleviation of Al toxicity. Lucerne responded most and lotus least to lime; thus tolerance of Al toxicity decreased in the order lotus > white clover > lucerne. Lime equivalent to 8000 kg.ha-1 further depressed exchangeable Al and Mn levels, but this rate depressed growth in all species except lucerne at the highest rate of P. The growth depression was attributed to an induced P deficiency.

Plant succession in relation to periodic soil movements in the subalpine zone of the NE Ben Ohau Range, New Zealand

Abstract Three high country yellow-brown earths (eldefulvic soils) influenced by periodic erosion and deposition were studied in the Twin Stream Catchment, north-east Ben Ohau Range. Six different-aged surfaces were recognised and designated as K0 (youngest surface), KI, K2, K3, K4, and K5 which is the oldest buried surface (after Butler's 1959 nomenclature). Successive cycles of erosion and deposition had buried soils which were recognised by charcoals. 14C dating from a buried soil on the K4 surface was 1115 ±80 yr B.P. Base saturations and phosphorus fractions indicated that the soil on the K1 surface was a less leached soil than the soils on the K2 and K3 surfaces. Plant succession showed a dominant community of Trifolium repens growing on the more recent soils (K1 surface) with sprub communities dominating the older surface (K3).

Macro-element levels in red tussock (Chionochloa rubraZotov) shoots, and properties of associated volcanic soils, North Island, New Zealand

Abstract Macro-element concentrations of Chionochloa rubra on volcanic soils are similar to previously reported concentrations in C. rubra from high country yellow-brown earths in the South Island. Exceptions are Ca and N which are lower, and Mg which is very low and outside the range of South Island populations. Aluminium-bound P is the dominant fraction in young, weakly weathered volcanic soils beneath C. rubra in the North Island. Bray No. 1 P, Olsen P, and green blade P concentrations decrease with altitude on Mt. Ruapehu, and are closely positively correlated within North Island-wide collections.

Effect of ground cover and tussock proximity on legume establishment

Abstract Five areas, on a gradient from dry hygrous to hygrous vegetated upland high country yellow-brown earths, were broadcast oversown with four legumes. Position and weight of plants were assessed in relation to major ground cover types, and to distances and direction to nearest tussock. The ratios of actual to expected numbers of plants, and actual to mean weights, measured the favourability of particular types of microsite. Interactions between tussocks and other resident vegetation were generally not significant. Ground cover and tussock proximity had greater effect on initial establishment position than on subsequent growth. Legume establishment was high adjacent to tussock on the most arid site, but on more hygrous sites establishment was high in inter-tussock spaces. Plant weights were generally greatest away from tussocks. Bare soil gave low establishment and plant weights. Raoulia and Gaultheria spp. provided the best cover sites for establishment. Red clover had high preference for microsites near tussock on the most arid site, and lotus in higher preference for bare soil on the wettest site.

Growth, biomass, and net productivity of tall-tussock (Chionochloa) grasslands, Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract Stands dominated by Chionochloa rigida and C. macra were studied at 884 and 1 257 m, on infertile soils related to high country yellow-brown earths. Solar radiation, wind, precipitation, temperature (air and three soil depths) at the sites are concordant with the regional pattern of long-term stations. Climatic conditions at the Macra Site are more severe than at the Rigida Site, but both fall within the range of the coniferous forest biome (mean annual temperature 6–7°c, total precipitation 1 000 m). Total above-ground tall-tussock biomass from destructive sampling during summer is 3 800 g/m2 for C. rigida and 1 600g/m2 for C. macra. Live biomass is 770 g/m2 and 360 g/m2 respectively. Indirect measurements using a modified height-frequency method were within 5% of these results. Root biomass (live and dead) is 3 100 g/m2 at the Rigida Site and 2 200 g/m2 at the Macra Site. Roots are denser beneath tussock than between tussocks, where 68% of roots at the Rigida Site (50 cm profile), and 50% of th...

Comparative establishment of species in high country revegetation

Abstract Percentage seed establishment and coyer of 13 grass and legume species were measured in 3 revegetation trials on high country soils. The sites included dry gravels and soils of the dry hygrous zone of high country yellow-brown earths, the bare soils of recently formed farm roads, and brown-grey earth dry steeplands. Cover and establishment were highest for browntop, yarrow, white clover, red clover, alsike clover, cocksfoot, Yorkshire fog, and Chewings fescue.

Interaction of lime and seed pelleting on the nodulation and growth of white clover

Abstract The effects of inoculation level, seed pelleting, and broadcast lime on the establishment and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens) oversown on an acid (pH 4.8) high country yellow-brown earth were investigated. When inoculated seed was effectively pelleted with lime there was no significant effect of broadcast lime on the percentage of healthy seedlings, percentage cover, or clover dry matter, although there was an increase in the percentage nitrogen in the foliage. In contrast, broadcast lime increased all these parameters in the absence of pelleting.

Response of four species of chionochloa and two introduced grasses to soil amendment

Summary Four species of Chionochloa common in the pastoral sector of the tussock grasslands of South Island, New Zealand, were found to have diverging growth responses to lime and superphosphate when grown in a potted high country yellow-brown earth. The probable reasons for this divergence were considered with respect to nitrogen and phosphorus availability. The responses of these species were related to their pattern of occurrence in natural conditions. The comparative behaviour of two introduced grasses was also studied. It is inferred that tolerance of acid conditions, if not an actual preference for such conditions, may be an important factor in the distribution of some of these tall tussock species as well as in successful grass introduction.

Soil organic phosphorus

Abstract The extraction and resin fractionation procedures for determination of amounts and kinds of soil organic phosphorus (Pt IV of this series) were applied to a sequence of four soils having common parent material and vegetation but varying in altitude, rainfall, and temperature. Three different zonal soil groups were represented in the sequence: the brown-grey earths, yellow-grey earths, and high country yellow-brown earths. For each soil type, samples of the topsoil and of three individual horizons (A, AB, and B) were examined. The amount of organic phosphorus extracted and its occurrence in different fractions were similar for comparable samples from each soil type, suggesting that the amount and nature of soil organic phosphorus are determined primarily by parent material and biological factors. The kinds of organic phosphorus compound present in different horizons of each soil were clearly differentiated. Humic acid-associated organic phosphorus and inositol phosphates were present in comparable amounts in topsoil samples, but only inositol phosphates were detected in quantity in the B horizon samples. There was also a marked narrowing of organic C/organic P ratios down the soil profile.

Lime, inoculation, and seed coating in the establishment of oversown clovers

Abstract The effect of lime, inoculation, and seed coating on the establishment of clovers broadcast on a high country yellow-brown earth c.f pH 4.9 was investigated. Inoculation significantly increased nodulation and subsequent growth of the clover plant, resulting in a threefold increase in yield after 32 weeks. Although the response lessened with time, the differences were stilI significant after 16 months. Lime also significantly increased nodulation and yield, although the effect was less than that of inoculation. Although maximum yield was obtained with 10 cwt per acre of broadcast lime in Trial 2, even 2 1/2 cwt significantly increased yield. Coating of inoculated clover seed with lime had little or no effect on nodulation or yield of clover in the absence of broadcast lime. However, coating inoculated seed prevented the s6mulation of nodulation and yield of broadcast lime. It is suggested that coating has reduced the survival of Rhizobium spp. on the seed.

Soil organic phosphorus

Abstract The extraction and resin fractionation procedures for determination of amounts and kinds of soil organic phosphorus (Pt IV of this series) were applied to a sequence of four soils having common parent material and vegetation but varying in altitude, rainfall, and temperature. Three different zonal soil groups were represented in the sequence: the brown-grey earths, yellow-grey earths, and high country yellow-brown earths. For each soil type, samples of the topsoil and of three individual horizons (A, AB, and B) were examined. The amount of organic phosphorus extracted and its occurrence in different fractions were similar for comparable samples from each soil type, suggesting that the amount and nature of soil organic phosphorus are determined primarily by parent material and biological factors. The kinds of organic phosphorus compound present in different horizons of each soil were clearly differentiated. Humic acid-associated organic phosphorus and inositol phosphates were present in comparable...