Response to phosphorus fertilizer compared under grazing and mowing

JWD Cayley; MC Hannah

doi:10.1071/ar9951601

Effects of phosphorus fertiliser and rate of stocking on the seasonal pasture production of perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/a97113 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 233 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J. W. D. Cayley ◽

M. C. Hannah ◽

G. A. Kearney ◽

S. G. Clark

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Yield Response ◽

Potential Yield ◽

Constant Growth Rate ◽

Single Superphosphate ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Stocking Rates

The response of pastures based on Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium subterraneum L. to single superphosphate was assessed at Hamilton, Victoria, by measuring the growth of pastures during winter, spring, and summer over 7 years from 1979 to 1987. The seasons were defined by the pattern of pasture production, rather than by calendar months. Winter was the period of constant growth rate following the autumn rain; spring was the period of accelerating growth rate until growth rate changed abruptly following the onset of dry summer weather. Pastures were grazed with sheep at a low, medium, or high grazing pressure, corresponding generally to stocking rates of 10, 14, or 18 sheep/ha. At each level of grazing pressure, single superphosphate was applied at 5 rates from 1979 to 1982; the highest rate, expressed as elemental phosphorus (P), was reduced from 100 to 40 kg/ha during this time. In addition there was an unfertilised treatment. In 1984, fertiliser was applied at 6 rates from 4 to 40 kg P/ha. No fertiliser was applied in the remaining years, including 1983. Pasture production was measured from 1979 to 1982 and from 1985 to 1987. Total pasture dry matter (DM) accumulation per year at the highest stocking rate was less than the other treatments in 4 of the years. Averaged over all years and fertiliser treatments, the annual net production was 10·1, 10·1, and 9·0 t DM/ha (P < 0·05) for plots grazed at low, medium, and high stocking rates, respectively. The amount of fertiliser required to reach a given proportion of maximum yield response did not vary between winter and spring in any year, but the greater potential yield in spring (P < 0 ·001) meant that as more fertiliser was applied, the disparity between pasture grown in winter and pasture grown in spring increased. Differences in this disparity between extreme levels of P ranged from 1·4 t DM/ha in a drought to about 7 t DM/ha in a good season. The implications for managing farms when pastures are fertilised at higher rates than currently practised by district farmers are that systems of animal production with a requirement for plentiful good quality pasture in spring, such as ewes lambing in spring, should be used. The benefit of spring lambing over autumn lambing was supported when the 2 systems were compared over 26 years using the GrassGro decision support system. Well fertilised pasture systems will also allow more scope for conserving pasture as hay or silage, and increase opportunities for diversification in the farming enterprise, such as spring-growing crops.

Corrigendum to: Effects of phosphorus fertiliser and rate of stocking on the seasonal pasture production of perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar97113_co ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 53 (12) ◽

pp. 1383

Author(s):

J. W. D. Cayley ◽

M. C. Hannah ◽

G. A. Kearney ◽

S. G. Clark

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Yield Response ◽

Potential Yield ◽

Constant Growth Rate ◽

Single Superphosphate ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Stocking Rates

The response of pastures based on Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium subterraneum L. to single superphosphate was assessed at Hamilton, Victoria, by measuring the growth of pastures during winter, spring, and summer over 7 years from 1979 to 1987. The seasons were defined by the pattern of pasture production, rather than by calendar months. Winter was the period of constant growth rate following the autumn rain; spring was the period of accelerating growth rate until growth rate changed abruptly following the onset of dry summer weather. Pastures were grazed with sheep at a low, medium, or high grazing pressure, corresponding generally to stocking rates of 10, 14, or 18 sheep/ha. At each level of grazing pressure, single superphosphate was applied at 5 rates from 1979 to 1982; the highest rate, expressed as elemental phosphorus (P), was reduced from 100 to 40 kg/ha during this time. In addition there was an unfertilised treatment. In 1984, fertiliser was applied at 6 rates from 4 to 40 kg P/ha. No fertiliser was applied in the remaining years, including 1983. Pasture production was measured from 1979 to 1982 and from 1985 to 1987. Total pasture dry matter (DM) accumulation per year at the highest stocking rate was less than the other treatments in 4 of the years. Averaged over all years and fertiliser treatments, the annual net production was 10·1, 10·1, and 9·0 t DM/ha (P < 0·05) for plots grazed at low, medium, and high stocking rates, respectively. The amount of fertiliser required to reach a given proportion of maximum yield response did not vary between winter and spring in any year, but the greater potential yield in spring (P < 0 ·001) meant that as more fertiliser was applied, the disparity between pasture grown in winter and pasture grown in spring increased. Differences in this disparity between extreme levels of P ranged from 1·4 t DM/ha in a drought to about 7 t DM/ha in a good season. The implications for managing farms when pastures are fertilised at higher rates than currently practised by district farmers are that systems of animal production with a requirement for plentiful good quality pasture in spring, such as ewes lambing in spring, should be used. The benefit of spring lambing over autumn lambing was supported when the 2 systems were compared over 26 years using the GrassGro decision support system. Well fertilised pasture systems will also allow more scope for conserving pasture as hay or silage, and increase opportunities for diversification in the farming enterprise, such as spring-growing crops.

THE RELATION OF SOIL TEST VALUES TO FERTILIZER RESPONSE BY THE POTATO: IV. AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS AND PHOSPHATIC FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss67-030 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 175-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

R. F. Bishop ◽

C. R. MacEachern ◽

D. C. MacKay

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Yield Response ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Soil Test ◽

Soil Series ◽

Response Curves ◽

Fertilizer Response ◽

Soil P ◽

Wide Range ◽

Mitscherlich Equation

In field experiments, conducted at 18 locations during a 3-year period, tuber yields on zero-P plots ranged from 49.7–95.5% of those obtained with optimum P fertilization. Each of three chemical methods used to estimate available soil P showed a wide range of values for the different locations.When Bray's modification of the Mitscherlich equation was used to express the relationship between soil test values and yield response to applied P, there were appreciable differences in c1 values which varied with soil series and soil test methods.Polynomial response curves showed that, irrespective of the chemical method used, if soils were grouped on the basis of available P into "high", "medium" and "low" classes, response to applied P was much less in the high than in the medium and low classes. Response curves also showed that both P requirements and maximum yields varied with different soil series.

Effects of surface-applied phosphorus and superphosphate on the solution chemistry and phytotoxicity of subsurface aluminium: sand/solution and soil experiments

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9910859 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 859 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

MJ McLaughlin ◽

TR James

Keyword(s):

Soil Solution ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Trifolium Subterraneum ◽

Solution Culture ◽

Solution Chemistry ◽

Yield Response ◽

Root Penetration ◽

Single Superphosphate ◽

High Concentrations ◽

P Supply

Experiments using split-root sand/solution culture and reconstituted soil profiles were undertaken to examine the influence of P supply to surface roots of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum var. Woogenellup) on root penetration into Al-toxic subsurface strata. In sand/solution culture increasing P supply to surface (0-40 mm) roots enchanced root penetration into Al-toxic nutrient solutions in the subsurface (40-100 mm), but only at low to moderate concentrations of Al. At high concentrations of Al, surface P supply had no effect on root penetration into the lower compartment. Results from the soil experiments confirmed the observations obtained in sand/solution culture. Topdressed P (as single superphosphate-SSP) enhanced root penetration into the Al-toxic subsurface stratum. Plants suffering P stress showed poor root growth in the acidic subsurface stratum. Gypsum in the SSP confounded P treatment effects at high rates of P application. The gypsum quickly dissolved and was able to move through the limited surface soil (0-40 mm, pH 5. O), to the acidic subsurface stratum, as evidenced by Ca concentrations in soil solution. This raised the ionic strength and reduced the pH of the soil solution, and raised solution Al concentrations. Under conditions of limiting leaching, and where the subsurface horizon was very acidic (pH 3.9), the gypsum in SSP caused yield reductions at high rates of application and produced a quadratic yield response curve to topdressed SSP.

FERTILIZER RESPONSE OF FESCUE GRASSLAND VEGETATION

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss68-015 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 125-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. D. Smith ◽

A. Johnston ◽

L. E. Lutwick ◽

S. Smoliak

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Yield Response ◽

Response Curves ◽

Fertilizer Response ◽

Grassland Vegetation ◽

Yield Response Curves

Fescue grassland vegetation at three locations in southwestern Alberta was fertilized with P, N, and N + P at various rates. Rates of application by an increasing-rate fertilizer spreader were from 0 to 1,120 kg N/ha and from 0 to 860 kg P/ha. Festuca scabrella Torr. responded to high rates of fertilizer whereas Danthonia parryi Scribn. did not respond. Yields were averaged across locations to show effects of fertilizers 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after application. Yield response curves showed that a residual effect persisted throughout the 4-year study period. Total yield was increased. Value of additional grazing compared with costs of purchase and application of fertilizer showed that fertilization of rangelands in the areas studied was not economically feasible.

Plant density and yield of shoot dry material in maize in England

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s002185960002428x ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 175-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

E. S. Bunting

Keyword(s):

Plant Density ◽

Unit Area ◽

Spatial Arrangement ◽

Yield Response ◽

Response Curves ◽

Potential Yield ◽

Field Station ◽

Different Seasons ◽

Plant Densities ◽

The Individual

SummaryYields of shoot dry material of maize at harvest in September or October are reported for 19 experiments involving differing plant densities within the range 3–36 pl/m2. The experiments were conducted at the Oxford University Field Station on a freely drained clay loam soil, adequately supplied with nutrients, in the years 1953–55, 1957–60, 1962–70.In one experiment, in the very dry season of 1964, yield/unit area recorded at a density of 14 pl/m2 was significantly higher than that obtained with a density of 31 pl/m3, but in all other experiments a satisfactory fit to the data was obtained with the asymptotic relationship between yield/unit area and density given by the equation w-1 = α+βρ, where w = weight per plant and ρ = density/unit area. The values of the parameters in this model give an indication of asymptotic yield (β-l) and of potential yield per plant when free from competitive stress (α-1). The estimated values of the parameters are given for the individual experiments, and comparisons are then made between the estimates obtained for contrasting varieties in seven experiments and for relatively early flowering European hybrids (Foliant & Inra 200) in ten different seasons.In direct comparisons between varieties, similar estimates of β were obtained for a very late variety (White Horsetooth) and much earlier flowering varieties of American (Wis. 275A) or European (Foliant) origin, but estimated values of α for White Horsetooth were lower than for Foliant and much lower than for Wis. 275A. Mean parameter values have been used to predict yield response to density in the differing varieties and the practical implications discussed.Estimated values of β in the model fitted to data for early European hybrids in differing seasons indicate that asymptotic yield of shoot dry material will be sharply lower in dry seasons, averaging 142 hkg/ha, than in seasons of more adequate rainfall, with an average of 187 hkg/ha. Values of a, however, were lower in the drier seasons, and it is suggested that this reflects the fact that drier seasons in Britain are normally warmer.Differences in spatial arrangement of plants were obtained by variations in row width, between 30 and 100 cm, or by changes in rectangularity – the ratio of the distances between rows and between plants in the row – from 1 to 9. Within these limits the pattern of yield response to density was not significantly affected, and at densities of 10–15 pl/m2 the average increment in yield associated with more even spacing was less than 5%.From the viewpoint of productivity, the predicted yield/density response curves show that a density of at least 10 pl/m2 is required for maize grown for fodder or silage in this country and, under irrigation or in areas where rainfall is less likely to be limiting, a density of 15 pl/m2 is preferable. Information on the effect of plant density on quality components in maize forage is surprisingly limited, but it is suggested that the fear of serious lodging at very high plant populations, rather than any possible decline in quality, is the main deterrent to further exploitation of environmental resources by increasing density.

Relationship between a soils ability to adsorb phosphate and the residual effectiveness of superphosphate

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr9730057 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

NJ Barrow

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Relative Effectiveness ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Incubation Experiment ◽

Response Curves ◽

Single Superphosphate ◽

Proportional Change ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Clover Seed ◽

Residual Effectiveness

Twenty-two unfertilized soils from four localities in south-western Australia were used in a pot trial. In March powdered, single superphosphate was applied to the surface of eight of the pots at a range of levels. All the pots were kept moist until August when subterranean clover seed was sown and fresh superphosphate was applied to the previously unfertilized pots. Response curves were fitted to the yields and from the coefficients of the curves the relative effectiveness of the March and the August applications was calculated. For most of the soils, the March application was between 50 and 60% as effective as the August application. There was a small but significant trend for the relative effectiveness to increase as the soils' ability to adsorb phosphate from solution (�P) increased. There was a close relationship between the effectiveness of the August application and the inverse of �P. Since �P is a measure of the distribution of phosphorus between the solid and the solution phases in the soil, it was argued that the decreased effectiveness of the March application could be explained by a change in the distribution of phosphate. An incubation experiment showed that such a redistribution occurred and that the proportional change was little affected by �P. This seemed to explain the small effect of �P on decrease in effectiveness.

Yield response curves of crops exposed to SO2 time series

Atmospheric Environment (1967) ◽

10.1016/0004-6981(83)90312-8 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 1589-1593 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Larry Male ◽

Eric Preston ◽

Grady Neely

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Yield Response ◽

Response Curves ◽

Yield Response Curves

Soil and tissue tests to predict pasture yield responses to applications of potassium fertiliser in high-rainfall areas of south-western Australia

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea01060 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 149 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. D. A. Bolland ◽

W. J. Cox ◽

B. J. Codling

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Relative Yield ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Test Method ◽

Yield Response ◽

Soil Test ◽

Test Procedures ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Yield Responses

Dairy and beef pastures in the high (>800 mm annual average) rainfall areas of south-western Australia, based on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), grow on acidic to neutral deep (>40 cm) sands, up to 40 cm sand over loam or clay, or where loam or clay occur at the surface. Potassium deficiency is common, particularly for the sandy soils, requiring regular applications of fertiliser potassium for profitable pasture production. A large study was undertaken to assess 6 soil-test procedures, and tissue testing of dried herbage, as predictors of when fertiliser potassium was required for these pastures. The 100 field experiments, each conducted for 1 year, measured dried-herbage production separately for clover and ryegrass in response to applied fertiliser potassium (potassium chloride). Significant (P<0.05) increases in yield to applied potassium (yield response) were obtained in 42 experiments for clover and 6 experiments for ryegrass, indicating that grass roots were more able to access potassium from the soil than clover roots. When percentage of the maximum (relative) yield was related to soil-test potassium values for the top 10 cm of soil, the best relationships were obtained for the exchangeable (1 mol/L NH4Cl) and Colwell (0.5 mol/L NaHCO3-extracted) soil-test procedures for potassium. Both procedures accounted for about 42% of the variation for clover, 15% for ryegrass, and 32% for clover + grass. The Colwell procedure for the top 10 cm of soil is now the standard soil-test method for potassium used in Western Australia. No increases in clover yields to applied potassium were obtained for Colwell potassium at >100 mg/kg soil. There was always a clover-yield increase to applied potassium for Colwell potassium at <30 mg/kg soil. Corresponding potassium concentrations for ryegrass were >50 and <30 mg/kg soil. At potassium concentrations 30–100 mg/kg soil for clover and 30–50 mg/kg soil for ryegrass, the Colwell procedure did not reliably predict yield response, because from nil to large yield responses to applied potassium occurred. The Colwell procedure appears to extract the most labile potassium in the soil, including soluble potassium in soil solution and potassium balancing negative charge sites on soil constituents. In some soils, Colwell potassium was low indicating deficiency, yet plant roots may have accessed potassum deeper in the soil profile. Where the Colwell procedure does not reliably predict soil potassium status, tissue testing may help. The relationship between relative yield and tissue-test potassium varied markedly for different harvests in each year of the experiments, and for different experiments. For clover, the concentration of potassium in dried herbage that was related to 90% of the maximum, potassium non-limiting yield (critical potassium) was at the concentration of about 15 g/kg dried herbage for plants up to 8 weeks old, and at <10 g/kg dried herbage for plants older than 10–12 weeks. For ryegrass, there were insufficient data to provide reliable estimates of critical potassium.

The interaction between soil pH and phosphorus for wheat yield and the impact of lime-induced changes to soil aluminium and potassium

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr16274 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (4) ◽

pp. 341 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Craig A. Scanlan ◽

Ross F. Brennan ◽

Mario F. D'Antuono ◽

Gavin A. Sarre

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Acid Soils ◽

Combined Effect ◽

Additive Effect ◽

Yield Response ◽

Response Curves ◽

The Impact

Interactions between soil pH and phosphorus (P) for plant growth have been widely reported; however, most studies have been based on pasture species, and the agronomic importance of this interaction for acid-tolerant wheat in soils with near-sufficient levels of fertility is unclear. We conducted field experiments with wheat at two sites with acid soils where lime treatments that had been applied in the 6 years preceding the experiments caused significant changes to soil pH, extractable aluminium (Al), soil nutrients and exchangeable cations. Soil pH(CaCl2) at 0–10cm was 4.7 without lime and 6.2 with lime at Merredin, and 4.7 without lime and 6.5 with lime at Wongan Hills. A significant lime×P interaction (P<0.05) for grain yield was observed at both sites. At Merredin, this interaction was negative, i.e. the combined effect of soil pH and P was less than their additive effect; the difference between the dose–response curves without lime and with lime was greatest at 0kgPha–1 and the curves converged at 32kgPha–1. At Wongan Hills, the interaction was positive (combined effect greater than the additive effect), and lime application reduced grain yield. The lime×P interactions observed are agronomically important because different fertiliser P levels were required to maximise grain yield. A lime-induced reduction in Al phytotoxicity was the dominant mechanism for this interaction at Merredin. The negative grain yield response to lime at Wongan Hills was attributed to a combination of marginal soil potassium (K) supply and lime-induced reduction in soil K availability.