Phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum deficiencies in soils from eastern Australia in relation to nutrient supply and some characteristics of soil and climate.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown on 32 virgin soils in pot cultures, and the yield responses to phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum were determined for each soil. The soils were collected from a wide area in eastern Australia, extending from south-western Victoria to southern Queensland. Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency. In fact, 75 per cent. of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur. Thirty-one per cent. were deficient in all three elements. The effect of the interaction between the elements on the occurrence and intensity of the deficiencies is shown. Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected. A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two. There was no correlation between the occurrence or intensity of the deficiencies and the geological origin of the soil parent material, the climate of the regions from which the soils were collected, or such soil characters as colour, organic matter, and texture. Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate. The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.

1951 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter

The visual symptoms of several mineral deficiencies on the Dwalganup strain of subterranean clover are outlined. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and molybdenum deficiencies particularly reduce the rate of leaf production and leaf size. They may be distinguished by leaf colour-dark green in phosphorus deficiency and greenish yellow to pale yellow in nitrogen and molybdenum deficiency. Sulphur deficiency reduces the rate of leaf production after the onset of symptoms. Leaf size was not greatly affected by the degree of sulphur deficiency studied. The older leaves were uniformly lemon yellow in colour. Both potassium and zinc deficiency result in very pronounced reduction in leaf size. Potassium deficiency, in addition, shows marginal necrosis of older leaves, while with zinc deficiency leaf shape is profoundly affected. Copper deficiency particularly reduces seed production. The leaves are lighter green in colour than normal. With calcium (and manganese) deficiency, no prominent symptoms were recorded on the soils used. The advantages and limitations of diagnosis by visual symptoms are discussed.


1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 531
Author(s):  
S. G. Clark ◽  
J. Li ◽  
A. M. Johnson ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
J. F. Chin

Summary. The seed banks of 6 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars were sampled at 3 abandoned cultivar evaluation experiments in south-western Victoria (Hamilton, Macarthur and Timboon). Two were var. yanninicum (Trikkala and Larisa) and 4 were var. subterraneum (Denmark, Goulburn, Karridale and Leura). Seed was sampled in late summer–early autumn 1993, between 6 and 10 years after the sites were established and between 3 and 7 years after the sites were abandoned. The collected seed was separated into black and white seed, and a sample of the black seed was grown in a glasshouse and identified as either belonging to the sown cultivar or belonging to another cultivar/genotype. All white seed was assumed to belong to the sown cultivar. The aim was to determine if these widely used cultivars were persisting under farm management conditions and competition from perennial grass, other subterranean clover and annual weeds. With some variation between sites all cultivars were found to be persisting satisfactorily. Over the 3 sites, white-seeded cultivars averaged 460 kg/ha and 6640 seeds/m2; black-seeded cultivars averaged 260 kg/ha and 5590 seeds/m2. Contamination with other subterranean clover cultivars/ecotypes was generally low, except at Macarthur where the white-seeded cultivars were heavily contaminated (Trikkala 39% pure; Larisa 57% pure) with black seeds highlighting the poor adaptation of var. yanninicum to light soil types. Of the black seeds, over the 3 sites, average contamination level was 13% and ranged from 41% (Goulburn at Macarthur) to 1% (Leura at Timboon). The study indicates that in south-western Victoria, all the recently released cultivars are likely to persist and be productive, and that the small-plot evaluation techniques used to identify potential new cultivars are likely to be adequate if replicated in space and if the clovers are sown in mixed swards with perennial grass.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
P. S. Cocks

Subterranean clover seedling numbers and growth in swards containing 1 of 5 perennial pasture species [phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) cv. Sirolan, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cv. Currie, lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Aquarius, wallaby grass (Danthonia richardsonii) cv. Taranna, and lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) cv. Consol] were compared with those in typical annual pastures and pure clover swards in the wheatbelt of eastern Australia. Presence of a perennial species or the volunteer annual grass (Eragrostis cilianensis) increased the rate of drying of the soil surface (0–5 cm) after late February and May rain, compared with subterranean clover swards. Perennials differed in the rate they dried the soil surface, with the more summer-active lucerne and consul lovegrass drying the profile more rapidly than phalaris. The amount of water in the surface 5 cm, 6 days after the rainfall event on 27–28 February, was strongly negatively correlated (r = –0·75, P < 0·01) with the amount of green perennial biomass, but not related to standing dead material or surface residues. Where perennials were present, a smaller proportion (2–4%) of the clover seed pool produced seedlings in response to late summer rain, compared with pure clover swards (18%). A higher proportion of the seed pool produced seedlings (19–36%) following rain in late autumn but there was no difference between species. The more summer-active perennials (cocksfoot, danthonia, and lucerne) markedly depressed the survival of emerged clover seedlings following both germinations. Of the seedlings that emerged in early March, the proportion remaining by 29 March was 57% in phalaris, 21% in lucerne, 13% in danthonia, and 1% in cocksfoot, compared with a 78% increase in seedlings in pure subterranean clover swards. By 15 May, all perennials had <2 clover seedlings/m2 surviving, compared with 37 in the annual pasture and 964 plants/m2 in pure subterranean clover. Following the May germination, the highest proportion of emerged seedlings surviving until 29 May was in the phalaris swards (40%) and least in the cocksfoot and danthonia swards (2–4%). Presence of a perennial or annual grass decreased (P < 0·05) relative water content of clover seedlings on 15 March from 74% in pure clover swards, to 48% in annual pasture, 34% in phalaris, and 29% in lucerne swards. Clover seedlings growing in pure subterranean swards on 15 March (17 days after germinating rain) were 4 times larger than those in lucerne and twice as large as those in either phalaris or annual pasture. Seed size did not differ between treatments, but available mineral soil nitrogen was significantly higher (P < 0·001) in pure subterranean clover swards (32 mg N/g) compared with perennials (3–13 mg N/g). Strategies such as heavy grazing in late summer to reduce green biomass of the perennials or sowing the perennials at lower densities may reduce the adverse effects that perennials have on subterranean clover seedlings in these drier environments.


2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
Z. Rengel ◽  
L. Paszkudzka-Baizert ◽  
L. D. Osborne

A glasshouse experiment evaluated dried herbage yield responses of dense swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Trikkala) or Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. Aristocrat) to applications of different amounts of lime (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 t lime/ha) to either a loam or a sand. Yields were measured at 4 harvests [29, 51, 86 and 108 days after sowing (DAS)] when ryegrass plants had 3 leaves per tiller. Increasing amounts of lime raised the pH (1: 5, soil: 0.01 mol CaCl2/L) of the loam by 2.7 units and that of the sand by 2.0 units. Applications of lime significantly (P<0.05) increased dry herbage yields, by between 16 and 53%, for: (i) clover on the loam soil at 86 and 108 DAS, and for the sand at 108 DAS; (ii) ryegrass on the loam at 51, 86 and 108 DAS, and on the sand at 108 DAS. Increasing amounts of lime had no effect on the concentration of nutrient elements in dried herbage of either clover or ryegrass, except that the concentration of calcium increased, and the concentration of sodium, manganese and zinc (and boron for ryegrass only) all decreased. Additions of lime had no effect on dry matter digestibility, metabolisable energy, concentration of crude protein or water-soluble carbohydrates in dried herbage at any of the 4 harvests.


1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (35) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
DF Smith

Mixed swards of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) of two densities were grown at two levels of nitrogen. Growth was started at two different times mid- April and mid-May-and at each time half the plots were subjected to moisture stress. The swards were harvested after nine weeks of growth. The survival of clover plants was reduced by an early start, moisture stress and nitrogen addition : much more so than barley grass. The root : shoot ratios of both species were calculated ; both showed some sensitivity to the time of break and moisture stress, and the grass was also affected by the other two factors. Total sward production and the ratios of clover to grass varied widely Grass daminance was favoured by moisture stress or a late break, and both of these factors tended to override the effect of higher soil nitrogen in determining clover-grass balance. Total sward production more dependent on density than any other factor, especially with the later start. Higher nitrogen was effective in boosting production only if the break was early and there was no moisture stress.


1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
RC Rossiter

Seed production and persistence of the Carnamah, Northam A, Dwalganup, and Geraldton strains of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were examined in undefoliated swards in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. The early flowering characteristic of Carnamah was not always associated with higher seed yields. Only when there was a well-defined, early finish to the growing season, or when flowering was very much earlier in Carnamah (viz., following an early 'break' to the season), did this strain clearly outyield both Northam A and Geraldton. The seed yield of Dwalganup was generally inferior to that of the other strains. Factors affecting regeneration are discussed. Under low rainfall conditions, poorer germination-regulation of Carnamah, compared with Geraldton and Northam A, would be expected to result in poorer persistence unless offset by higher seed yields in the Carnamah strain.


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Li ◽  
K. R. Helyar ◽  
C. M. Evans ◽  
M. C. Wilson ◽  
L. J. C. Castleman ◽  
...  

Two permanent pastures (annual pasture v. perennial pasture) were established in 1992 as part of the long-term field experiment, MASTER — Managing Acid Soils Through Efficient Rotations. The primary objective of the experiment was to develop an agricultural system that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable on the highly acidic soils in south-eastern Australia. This paper reports on the effects of lime on the botanical composition changes of annual and perennial pastures over 9 years. In general, lime increased the proportion of the desirable species, such as phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) in perennial pasture and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in annual pastures, and decreased the proportion of the undesirable species, such as Vulpia spp., in both annual and perennial pastures, ultimately improving the quality of feed-on-offer to animals. As a result, the limed pastures carried 24% more sheep than the unlimed pastures, while maintaining individual animal performance similar for both limed and unlimed pastures. The phalaris-based perennial pasture was more stable in terms of maintaining the sown species than the annual pasture. Lime improved the persistence of phalaris and the longevity of the phalaris-based pasture should be at least 10 years. Lime changed the direction of plant succession of annual pastures. Without lime, Vulpia spp. gradually became more dominant while ryegrass and subterranean clover became less dominant in annual pastures. With lime, barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) gradually invaded the sward at the expense of ryegrass, thus reducing the benefits of lime, but this effect was less for the perennial pastures than for annual pastures. Liming perennial pastures should be more beneficial than liming annual pastures because of the beneficial effects on pasture composition. In addition, previously published work reported that liming perennial pastures improved sustainability through better use of water and nitrogen.


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Ridley ◽  
DR Coventry

Yield responses of 3 mixed grass-clover pastures [Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirosa (phalaris), Dactylis glomerata cv. Porto (cocksfoot), and annual grass based Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Trikkala (subterranean clover) pastures] were measured over 5 soil pH treatments at 2 sites in Victoria. One site (Beechworth) was strongly acidic [pH(CaCl2) < 4.21 to a depth of 40 cm and contained high concentrations of soil aluminium (Al). At the other site (Lake Rowan), yield responses to lime application had been measured previously, but only in Al-sensitive wheat cultivars. At Beechworth, pasture yield responses to lime were not consistent but. when observed. occurred in autumn and winter in all 3 pasture types. Phalaris pastures showed yield increases more often than cocksfoot and annual pastures. Low magnesium and calcium concentrations may have limited dry matter production, although yields were reasonable on all treatments. Where lime was applied, growth responses may have been due to alleviation of Al toxicity. At Beechworth, pasture yield was increased where lime increased pH from 4.2 to 4.6 and decreased soil Al (measured in 10 mmol CaCl2/L) from 11 to <3 �g/g soil. Herbage manganese concentrations were not high in phalaris and subterranean clover, and cocksfoot manganese standards were not available. At Lake Rowan (pH 4.7, Al <1 �g/g), no growth responses to lime were seen in any pasture treatment, and annual grass based pastures sometimes had higher yields than phalaris and cocksfoot pastures. On strongly acidic soils such as at Beechworth, incorporation of lime prior to pasture establishment should be considered. Perennial grasses may reduce further soil degradation through acidification. Soil A1 concentrations are commonly lower in ley-cropping areas, and the inclusion of perennial grasses in ley pastures requires further evaluation.


1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Waller ◽  
P. E. Quigley ◽  
G. R. Saul ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
P. W. G. Sale

The survival of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants was studied in sheep pastures in south-western Victoria during the dry summer of 1996–97. Recruitment of perennial ryegrass seedlings into the pasture sward was also monitored in the autumn–winter periods in 1997 and 1998. The objective was to investigate whether a tactical stocking strategy, consisting of variable length summer, autumn and winter rotations and continuous stocking in spring, might increase perennial ryegrass tiller survival and seedling recruitment in the autumn, compared with continuous stocking all year. The grazing strategies were compared on 2 contrasting pastures: an upgraded pasture [sown with newer cultivars of perennial ryegrass and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) with 26 kg phosphorus/ha.year as applied fertiliser] and a naturalised perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 6 kg P/ha.year. Paddocks were grazed by Border Leicester × Merino ewes, mated to a terminal sire so as to lamb in September. Perennial ryegrass tiller density was higher on the upgraded pasture with a mean density of 7750 tillers/m2 in early summer which declined to zero live tillers by mid summer. Live tillers began to reappear before the opening rains and then increased after the rain. Mean tiller density in the upgraded pasture declined over the 2 summers, with only 2050 tillers/m2 being present 2 months after the opening rains in 1998. There were no effects (P>0.05) of pasture type or grazing strategy on the number of tagged tillers that survived the summer period. Only 12% of the vegetative tillers, randomly tagged in December 1996, survived to May 1997. More than half of the tillers (56%) that produced a seedhead produced daughter tillers which survived the dry summer–autumn period. A significant (P<0.05) interaction between grazing strategy and pasture type occurred with the number of perennial ryegrass seedlings that had established 4 weeks after the opening rains in 1997. There was a 5–11-fold increase in seedling numbers which regenerated in the tactically stocked, upgraded pasture compared with the other treatments. Seedling recruitment was considerably lower in the autumn of 1998, due presumably to an overall decline in perennial ryegrass density relative to annual grasses in 1997. A second experiment investigated the effect of excluding sheep from grazing at anthesis until seedhead maturation or until the opening rains, together with a mechanical seed dislodgment treatment at seed maturity. All exclusion treatments increased seedling recruitment 4–7-fold, compared with continuous stocking. The results suggest a possible mechanism by which perennial ryegrass density can be increased without expensive reseeding.


1952 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Yates ◽  
NH Brittan

Somatic chromosome number and morphology in certain strains of subterranean clover and in species of several other fairly closely related genera have been observed. Dwalganup, Yarloop, Mt. Barker, Wenigup, Burnerang, and Red Leaf strains have each 16 fairly small chromosomes, the chromosome complexes being similar to one another and to that obtained by Wexelsen (1928) for the species. Palestine and Israel strains have each 12 large chromosomes, bearing no apparent relationship to those of the other strains but being the same in number and of a similar order of size to those found in Vicia sativa. Chromosome number and morphology may explain the failure to obtain intervarietal crosses involving Palestine, but not the low percentage of successful crosses between other strains. It is suggested that perhaps Palestine and Israel may be more correctly classed as strains of a separate species and that, with regard to their origin, Wexelsen's idea of mutational changes in isolated species offers probably the best explanation.


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