Yellow-brown Loam Research Articles

Effect of root nematodes on the growth of seedling and established white clover on a yellow-brown loam

The effects of the parasitic root nematodes Heterodera trifolii (clover cyst nematode) and Meloidogyne hapla (root-knot nematode) on ‘Huia’ white clover were investigated in two greenhouse experiments on Egmont brown loam, a yellow-brown loam from Taranaki. Nematodes had a marked effect on the growth of seedling white clover. Over a 50-day period dry matter yield in unsterilised soil was 20% in the 0 to 10 cm soil depth, and 30% in the 10 to 20 cm soil depth, of clover grown in soil that had been sterilised with methyl bromide. The effects of nematodes on white clover at establishment were alleviated in part by the addition of lime equivalent to 2.2 tonnes of CaCO3 per hectare. White clover that had been established in sterilised soil in the absence of nematodes and then transferred to unsterilised soil was also susceptible to attack by nematodes. Over an 80-day growth period dry matter production of white clover in the presence of nematodes was 50% of that of clover grown on sterilised soil. These results are discussed in relation to the field establishment of white clover. An outline of the life history and effects on plants of these two nematode species is given in the Appendix.

Screening of legume varieties for resistance to the root nematodes Heterodera trifolii and Meloidogyne hapla

Establishment of 15 lines of legumes on two soils with differing nematode populations was studied under greenhouse conditions. Kokatau silt loam (yellow-grey earth) contained only Heterodera trifolii, but Egmont brown loam (yellow-brown loam) contained both H. trifolii and Meloidogyne hapla. Seven lines of white clover, two of red clover, two of subterranean clover, two of lotus, and two of lucerne were sown into unsterilised soil or soil sterilised with methyl bromide which served as control. Yields and nematode infestations were measured 20 and 33 days after sowing. The yields of all seven lines of white clover, representing four varieties, and the two lotus varieties were seriously reduced by both H. trifolii and M. hapla. Subterranean clover was tolerant to attack, but yield of red clovers was reduced by M. hapla. College glutinosa lucerne tolerated invasion by both nematodes, but ‘Wairau’ was susceptible to M. hapla attack.

The effect of root nematodes on the utilisation of phosphorus by white clover on a yellow-brown loam

The effects of the parasitic root nematodes Heterodera trifolii (clover cyst nematode) and Meloidogyne hapla (root-knot nematode) on the response of white clover to applied phosphorus on Egmont brown loam were investigated under greenhouse conditions. The efficiency of phosphorus utilisation by white clover was markedly reduced in nematode-infested plants. Where nematodes were present, more than five times the quantity of phosphorus was required to give yields of clover similar to those obtained where nematodes had been eliminated with methyl bromide soil sterilisation. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to clover growth in the field.

SOILS OF THE NORTHERN KING COUNTRY

The soil pattern of the King Country is dominated by soils developed on volcanic ash. The ash mantle is made ump of three broad groups: old ashes (Kauroa Ash and Hamilton Ash); middle age ashes (Rotoehu Ash, Oruanui Ash and Mairoa Ash) and young ash (Taupe Pumice). In the western part of the district the most extensive soils are yellow-brown loams formed on Mairoa Ash; in the eastern part, yellow-brown pumice soils on Taupo Pumice. It is only where erosion has partly or completely removed the ashes from the steeper slopes of the hill country that soils (mainly yellowbrown earths) can form on the underlying greywacke, sandstones and mudstones. Recent soils from alluvium, in association with swamps and peat bogs occur in the valleys of streams and rivers. Although the underlying rocks do not contribute extensively to the soils of the district, 'they do give rise to characteristic landscapes - e.g., greywacke gives steep, narrow valleys and ridges: mudstones give hummocky, slumped slopes; limestones give bluffs, isolated towers, dry valleys and tomos and sandstones and ignimbrites give prominent bluffs.

RESEARCH FINDINGS IN PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT ON TE ANAU SOILS

The results of nearly 30 trials which investigated pasture establishment problems on Te Anau yellow-brown loam soils are summarized. High initial application rates of phosphatic fertilizer and clover inoculation were shown to be of vital importance for good pasture establishment. Excellent grass and clover establishment was obtained by oversowing.

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

Two forms of nitrogenous fertiliser, “Nitrolime”† and crotonylidene diurea, were applied at 10 and 40 lb N/ac to young pasture on yellowbrown loams near Te Anau at three times: (a) at sowing, (b) 2 weeks after seedling emergence, and (c) 9 weeks after seedling emergence. Both fertilisers at 40 lb N/ac had a significant effect on grass vigour when applied at sowing and 2 weeks after emergence, but there was only a small response to application 9 weeks after emergence. Crotonylidene diurea was slower in its action than nitrolime, but its effects lasted longer. The 40 lb rate, particularly of nitrolime, resulted in a marked increase in the grass content of the sward, which was still noticeable 2 years later. The effect of 10 lb Niac was small and transitory. Nitrolime at 10 lb N/ac enhanced early clover growth, but at 40 lb N/ac applied at sowing or 2 weeks after emergence it depressed clover growth. Neither rate of crotonylidene diurea had any marked effect on clover vigour or percentage cover.

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

Abstract Two multifactorial trials incorporating major and trace element treatments were conducted on Te Anau yellow-brown loam. Elements included in one or both trials were calcium (lime), phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, iron, and molybdenum. The main effects and two-factor interactions of the seven treatments in each trial were determined on dry matter yield, concentration of nutrients in the herbage, pasture composition, pasture vigour and percentage pointings, and soil quick tests. With the exception of phosphorus, which gave very large responses, the main effects of most elements were small. Responses in growth were obtained with phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, lime, boron, iron, and zinc, but not with magnesium or manganese. Copper depressed vigour in some instances. Many interactions were noted, particularly those affecting nutrient concentration in herbage.

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

Five forms of phosphate†—superphosphate, lime-reverted superphosphate, serpentine superphosphate, basic slag, and fused calcium magnesium phosphate (Thermophos†);were evaluated on Te Anau yellowbrown loam. Thermophos, despite its lower phosphorus content, proved greatly superior to superphosphate when both were applied at 6 cwt per acre. Lime-reverted and serpentine superphosphate were inferior to superphosphate, but basic slag appeared slightly superior on an equivalent phosphorus basis. In further trials which included rates of superphosphate and Thermophos from 3 to 15 cwt/ac in the presence and absence of 2 tons lime, Thermophos again proved superior to superphosphate, especially in the absence of lime. In the superphosphate treatments lime either had little effect or aided response, but in the presence of Thermophos it generally depressed growth. A high percentage of the phosphorus in Thermophos was recovered in the surface AI-P and Fe-P fractions, but the Ca-P fraction was higher in superph...

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

The effects of rates of phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum on establishment of new pasture on cultivated yellow-brown loams near Te Anau are described. Marked phosphorus responses were noted on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) with rates of P up to 180 lb/ac. No further significant increases were noted with 240 and 300 lb/ac P, except for an increase in the % P in herbage. There was no response to molybdenum. Satisfactory pasture establishment was obtained with rates of phosphorus equivalent to that in 8-10 cwt of superphosphate.

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

Lime at 4, 7, 15, and 29 cwt/ac was applied to cultivated Te Anau yellow-brown loam in three ways— (a) disced into the soil 3 months before sowing of seed; (b) disced into the soil immediately before sowing of seed; (c) applied to the ground surface at time of sowing. Responses to all rates of lime were generally small. For 18 months after sowing, lime increased the percentage cover and vigour of grasses, but had little effect on clovers. Small increases in total herbage production were recorded in the limed treatments in the second and third years after application. Discing lime into the soil 3 months before sowing the pasture or immediately before sowing did not prove superior to surface applications at sowing. Movement of lime down the soil profile was very slow. Liming is not considered necessary on Te Anau yellow-brown loam.

Establishment of pasture on yellow‐brown loams near te anau

Abstract Two methods of establishing pastures, drilling and broadcasting, were compared on Te Anau yellow-brown loam. Pasture establishment was vastly superior in the drilled treatments. Reverted superphosphate at 3 cwt/ac drilled with the seed gave results comparable with 7½ cwt/ac broadcast, while 7½ cwt/ac drilled was vastly superior to the same rate broadcast. Drilling is recommended as an aid to successful pasture establishment and as a means of reducing fertiliser application rates.

Manuring and spacing experiments on vegetables

Abstract The responses of lettuce, leeks, beetroot, carrots, pole beans, and savoy cabbage to five levels of sulphate of ammonia (N), serpentine superphosphate (P), sulphate of potash (K), and of spacing in the row (Sp) were successfully determined annually for 3 years on Levin silt loam (a yellow–brown loam) using 3 multifactor rotatable central composite designs of only 30 plots each. The results are expressed as the treatment levels which gave maximum gross profit as well as maximum salable yield, because maximum gross profit is the only single parameter which will integrate all the variables of treatment rate, yields in several size and quality grades, the value of each grade under different market supply conditions, and treatment costs. The levels for maximum profit in cwt fertiliser per acre and spacing in inches were: lettuce, N–71/2, P–27, K–4, and Sp in 12 in. rows–12; leeks, N–11, P–15, K–2, and Sp in 12 in. rows–8; beetroot, N–10, P–28, K–41/2 and Sp in 12 in. rows–51/4; carrots, N–0, P–30. K–7, and Sp in 12 in. rows–4; pole beans, N–7, P–10, K–4, and Sp in 3 ft rows–4; and savoy cabbage, N–10, P–25, K–0, and Sp in 2 ft rows–10.

Micromorphological observations on the effects of land use differences on some New Zealand soils

Abstract Differences in the humus forms and the microfabrics of 29 topsoils from seven soils, including moderately and strongly leached yellow-grey and yellow-brown earths, a yellow-brown pumice soil, and a yellow-brown loam, are described. The differences are considered under native forest, tussock grassland, fernland and scrub, exotic forest, and under untopdressed and topdressed pastures. The humus forms under native dicotylous or podocarp-dicotylous forest and scrub, vary from thick, laminated mors over mulls to mor-like mulls and strongly granular mulls. All contain abundant plant residues at or near the surface. In most examples the Ai horizons are porous with strongly developed granular structures and mull humus microfabrics. Under tussock grassland laminated mulls are characteristic but soils have Ai horizons with finely granular structure and mull-like moder microfabrics. Under bracken fernland laminated mors contain moder microfabrics, underlain in at least one soil by a bleached A horizon. Bene...

Uptake of native and applied selenium by pasture species

Uptake by mixed pasture of selenium applied as the element at 1, 4, and 160z per acre to a yellow-brown loam was compared with that from selenium applied at 1 oz per acre as sodium selenite. Marked increases in Se content from additions as the element, proportional to the amount applied, were found initially. These are attributed to surface contamination of the leaves. The effect persisted into the second cut in the 16 oz Se treatment. In this cut the sodium selenite had Ithe greatest effect. After 11 months little increase above controls was apparent in any treatment. In a second trial on a yellow-brown pumice soil, a comparison was made between treatments with 4 oz selenium per acre, in the forms of sodium selenite, ferric selenite, barium selenite, elemental selenium, and selenite incorporated in a “frit.” Again the trial was on a mixed pasture, but the clover constituent (mainly Trifolium repens L.) was dissected for Se determination. Uptake was greatest, and equal, from the three selenium sa...

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

Abstract Five forms of phosphate†—superphosphate, lime-reverted superphosphate, serpentine superphosphate, basic slag, and fused calcium magnesium phosphate (Thermophos†);were evaluated on Te Anau yellowbrown loam. Thermophos, despite its lower phosphorus content, proved greatly superior to superphosphate when both were applied at 6 cwt per acre. Lime-reverted and serpentine superphosphate were inferior to superphosphate, but basic slag appeared slightly superior on an equivalent phosphorus basis. In further trials which included rates of superphosphate and Thermophos from 3 to 15 cwt/ac in the presence and absence of 2 tons lime, Thermophos again proved superior to superphosphate, especially in the absence of lime. In the superphosphate treatments lime either had little effect or aided response, but in the presence of Thermophos it generally depressed growth. A high percentage of the phosphorus in Thermophos was recovered in the surface AI-P and Fe-P fractions, but the Ca-P fraction was higher in superph...

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

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 ...

Studies on the retention of sulphur by yellow-brown pumice soils

Abstract Forty yellow-brown pumice soils were examined for sulphur retention, using a laboratory leaching and incubation technique. Leaching losses of sulphate from added superphosphate ranged from 33% to 100% of that applied. Comparative sulphur losses from four out of five yellow-brown loams examined were much smaller (2-6% of the amount applied). On these volcanic ash soils, the concentration of allophane A appears to be an important factor in sulphate retention.

Residual effect of phosphate top-dressing on a yellow-brown loam from andesitic ash

Abstract The residual effect of phosphate top-dressing to pasture on a high phosphate-retaining soil was measured by comparison with the effectiveness of newly applied phosphate. Pasture yield was measured by mowing and the clippings were dried and returned to the plots as a powder. The effects of phosphate top-dressing on the levels of P, N, Ca, Mg; and K in the pasture and on the Truog soluble P in the soil were determined. The degree of response of pasture yield to residual phosphate two, three, and four years after its application was practically equal to that of newly applied phosphate in spring and summer. In autumn, however, the degree of response to residual phosphate was very much less than that to newly applied phosphate. This difference between the residual effect in spring and autumn, together with the higher degree of response in pasture growth and lower P content of the pasture in autumn points towards the soil phosphorus having been less available to the pasture in autumn than in spring. So...

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

On a bouldery yellow-brown loam near Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand, covered mainly with stunted Pteridium esculentum, white clover inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii was oversown as follows: 1. At 4 different times: July, August, September, and November 1961. 2. With and without 10 cwt limestone/ac. 3. Unpelleted and pelleted with animal charcoal or lime. The following results were obtained: 1. In spite of the use of a certified source of clover rhizobia peat culture a large proportion of seedlings had a nitrogen-deficient appearance one to 2 months after sowing. Recovery from deficiency symptoms occurred in spring and again in autumn, but not during a relatively moist summer. This fact favoured the July- and August-sown treatments. 2. Cover provided by fern and stones against frost-heave and sun appeared to interact with time of sowing. 3. The majority of the pellets made had low numbers of effective clover rhizobia. Even the high-quality pellets used in the July sowing gave no better resul...

RESIDUAL EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE TOPDRESSING ON A YELLOW-BROWN LOAM

Annual phosphate topdressing has been needed on the yellowbrown loams of Taranaki to maintain vigorous productive pastures. There is, however, a wide range of opinion as to what is the optimum rate of topdressing and what is the optimum phosphorus status for pasture production