Quantifying pasture dry matter responses to applications of potassium fertiliser for an intensively grazed, rain-fed dairy pasture in south-western Australia with or without adequate nitrogen fertiliser

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
I. F. Guthridge
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Soil Test K

Rain-fed dairy pastures on sandy soils common in the high rainfall (>800 mm annual average) Mediterranean-type climate of south-western Australia comprise the annual species subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and annual and Italian ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud. and L. multiflorum Lam.). In wet years, clover becomes potassium (K) deficient and shows large dry matter (DM) responses to applied fertiliser K due to leaching of K in soil by rainfall. In contrast, ryegrass rarely shows DM responses to applied K. Many dairy pastures in the region are now intensively grazed to maximise pasture use for milk production, and nitrogen (N) fertiliser is applied after each grazing. It is not known if frequent applications of fertiliser N to these pastures changes pasture DM responses to applied K. Therefore, a long-term (2002–07) field experiment was undertaken on an intensively grazed dairy pasture in the region to quantify pasture DM responses to applied fertiliser K with or without applications of adequate fertiliser N (141–200 kg N/ha per year). Soil samples (top 10 cm of soil) were collected from each plot of the experiment each February to measure soil test K by the standard Colwell sodium bicarbonate procedure used for both K and phosphorus soil testing in the region. When no N was applied, pasture comprised ~70% (dry weight basis) clover and 25% ryegrass, compared with ~70% ryegrass and 25% clover when adequate N was applied. Significant linear responses of pasture DM to applied K occurred in 3 of the 6 years of the experiment only when no N was applied and clover dominated the pasture. The largest response varied from ~1.7 to 2.0 t/ha DM consumed by dairy cows at all grazings in each year, giving a K response efficiency of between 8 and 10 kg DM/ha per kg K/ha applied. Significant pasture DM responses to applied N occurred at all grazings in each year, with ~2–3 t/ha extra DM consumed by dairy cows at all grazings in each year being produced when a total of 141–200 kg N/ha was applied per year, giving an N response efficiency of ~7–19 kg DM/ha per kg N/ha applied. Soil test K values were very variable, attributed to varying proportions of soil samples per plot collected between and within cow urine patches, containing much K, arbitrarily deposited on experimental plots during grazing. Soil test K values were not significantly affected by the rates of K applied per year. A re-evaluation of results from the major soil K test study conducted for pastures in the region confirm that ryegrass rarely showed DM responses to applied K, and that for clover, soil K testing poorly predicted the likelihood of K deficiency in the next growing season.

Responses of intensively grazed dairy pastures to applications of fertiliser nitrogen in south-western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 927 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
I. F. Guthridge
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Total N ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility

For the first time, we quantified pasture dry matter (DM) responses to applied fertiliser nitrogen (N) for intensively grazed, rain-fed, dairy pastures on sandy soils common in the Mediterranean-type climate of south-western Australia. The pastures are composed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and annual and Italian ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud. and L. multiflorum Lam.). Six rates of N, as urea (46% N), were applied to 15 m by 15 m plots four times during 2002 and after each of the first 5–7 grazings in 2003 and 2004, throughout the typical April–October growing season. Total rates of N applied in the first year of the experiments were 0, 60, 120, 160, 200 and 320 kg N/ha, which were adjusted in subsequent years as detailed in the ‘Materials and methods’ section of this paper. The pastures in the experiments were rotationally grazed, by starting grazing when ryegrass plants had 2–3 leaves per tiller. The amount of pasture DM on each plot was measured before and after each grazing and was then used to estimate the amount of pasture DM consumed by the cows at each grazing for different times during the growing season. Linear increases (responses) of pasture DM to applied N occurred throughout the whole growing season when a total of up to 320 kg N/ha was applied in each year. No maximum yield plateaus were defined. Across all three experiments and years, on average in each year, a total of ~5 t/ha consumed DM was produced when no N was applied and ~7.5 t/ha was produced when a total of 200 kg N/ha was applied, giving ~2.5 t/ha increase in DM consumed and an N response efficiency of ~12.5 kg DM N/kg applied. As more fertiliser N was applied, the proportion of ryegrass in the pasture consistently increased, whereas clover content decreased. Concentrations of nitrate-N in the DM consistently increased as more N was applied, whereas concentrations of total N, and, therefore, concentration of crude protein in the DM, either increased or were unaffected by applied N. Application of N had no effect on concentrations of other mineral elements in DM and on dry matter digestibility and metabolisable energy of the DM. The results were generally consistent with findings of previous pasture N studies for perennial and annual temperate and subtropical pastures. We have shown that when pasture use for milk production has been maximised in the region, it is profitable to apply fertiliser N to grow extra DM consumed by dairy cows; conversely, it is a waste of money to apply N to undergrazed pastures to produce more unused DM.

The influence of seed size and depth of sowing on pre-emergence and early vegetative growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Total Leaf Area ◽  
Pot Culture

Changes in the pre-emergence distribution of dry matter in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) variety Bacchus Marsh were followed at 21°C, using three sizes of seed and three depths of sowing, ½, 1¼, and 2 in. Decreasing seed size and increasing depth of sowing both reduce the weight of the cotyledons a t emergence. Seed of the three sizes were sown a t three depths in pot culture a t staggered intervals so that emergence was simultaneous. Dry weight in the early vegetative stage was proportional to seed size, and total leaf area and leaf numbers showed similar trends. Plants of each seed size grew at the same relative rate. No effect of depth of sowing could be detected, and this was shown to be due to the cotyledon area a t emergence being constant for any given seed size, regardless of varying depth of sowing and hence of cotyledon weight. It was concluded that seed size in a plant having epigeal germination and without endosperm is of importance: firstly, in limiting the maximum hypocotyl elongation and hence depth of sowing, and secondly, in determining cotyledon area. Cotyledon area in turn influences seedling growth, which is not affected by cotyledon weight. Once emergence has taken place, cotyledonary reserves are of no further significance in the growth of the plants.

Occurrence of Phytophthora clandestina in Trifolium subterraneum paddocks in Australia

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aldaoud ◽  
W. Guppy ◽  
L. Callinan ◽  
S. F. Flett ◽  
K. A. Wratten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Root Rot ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Differential Cultivars

In 1995–96, a survey of soil samples from subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) paddocks was conducted across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia, to determine the distribution and the prevalence of races of Phytophthora clandestina (as determined by the development of root rot on differential cultivars), and the association of its occurrence with paddock variables. In all states, there was a weak but significant association between P. clandestina detected in soil samples and subsequent root rot susceptibility of differential cultivars grown in these soil samples. Phytophthora clandestina was found in 38% of the sampled sites, with a significantly lower prevalence in South Australia (27%). There were significant positive associations between P. clandestina detection and increased soil salinity (Western Australia), early growth stages of subterranean clover (Victoria), mature subterranean clover (South Australia), recently sown subterranean clover (South Australia), paddocks with higher subterranean clover content (Victoria), where herbicides were not applied (South Australia), irrigation (New South Wales and Victoria), cattle grazing (South Australia and Victoria), early sampling dates (Victoria and New South Wales), sampling shortly after the autumn break or first irrigation (Victoria), shorter soil storage time (Victoria) and farmer’s perception of root rot being present (Victoria and New South Wales). Only 29% of P. clandestina isolates could be classified under the 5 known races. Some of the unknown races were virulent on cv. Seaton Park LF (most resistant) and others were avirulent on cv. Woogenellup (most susceptible). Race 1 was significantly less prevalent in South Australia than Victoria and race 0 was significantly less prevalent in New South Wales than in South Australia and Western Australia. This study revealed extremely wide variation in the virulence of P. clandestina. The potential importance of the results on programs to breed for resistance to root rot are discussed. in South Australia.

The effect of autotetraploidy in five varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.).

1954 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 356 ◽  
Author(s):  
WM Hutton ◽  
JW Peak
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Seed Setting ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Green Matter ◽  
Total Dry Weight

Induced autotetraploidy in the Dwalganup variety of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) resulted in total dry weight increases of 60 and 65.5 per cent. at flowering and maturity respectively. In the other four varieties the tetraploids had decreased yields of dry matter compared with the diploids, although the decreases for leaf weights at flowering were nonsignificant in Mount Barker and Tallarook, as was the total dry weight reduction in Tallarook at maturity. There were no significant differences between the diploids and tetraploids in percentage moisture content. When early development was stimulated by growth in a glass-house, the tetraploids of all varieties showed a significant increase in yield of green matter. The level of increased growth was maintained only in Dwalganup, and decreased in other varieties during flowering. An analysis was made of the way in which the different plant parts mere changed by tetraploidy. Where decreased growth occurred, the leaves and stems were coarser. In all varieties a reduced seed-setting followed autotetraploidy, although in Dwalganup the yield of seed per plant was not affected.

Distribution of zinc and copper in seedlings of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in solution culture

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
DS Riceman ◽  
GB Jones
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Solution Culture ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Trifoliate Leaf ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Total Dry Weight ◽  
Substantial Change

Changes in the distribution of zinc, copper, and dry matter in seedlings of Trifolium subterraneum L. var. Bacchus Marsh grown in solution cultures which were supplied with copper but not with zinc have been traced during the first 40 days after germination. Increase in total dry weight was accompanied by a rapid decline in the concentration of zinc in the plant parts examined. Symptoms of zinc deficiency were recognizable in the third trifoliate leaf by the time the leaflets opened, 33 days after germination. At that time the concentration of zinc in leaf plus petiole had fallen to 14 p.p.m. in the dry matter. There was a continual net loss of zinc from the cotyledons. A marked increase in the amount of copper present in roots, and in leaf plus petiole, occurred soon after the addition of copper to the cultures 20 days after germination, but no substantial change was observed in the amount of copper present in the cotyledons or in the hypocotyl plus growing point. These latter tissues had previously lost small amounts of copper.

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

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
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.

Response of defoliated swards of subterranean clover and yellow serradella to superphosphate applications

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
The Relationship

The effect of superphosphate applications (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg P/ha to the soil surface) on the dry matter (DM) herbage production of dense swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Junee) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus cv. Tauro) was measured in a field experiment on deep, sandy soil in south-western Australia. The swards were defoliated with a reel mower at weekly intervals from 88 to 158 days after sowing, to a height of 2 cm for the first 9 cuts, 4 cm for the tenth cut and 5 cm for the eleventh cut. Yellow serradella was more productive than subterranean clover. Consequently, for the relationship between yield and the level of phosphorus (P) applied, yellow serradella supported larger maximum yields and required less P than subterranean clover, to produce the same DM herbage yield. Maximum yields of yellow serradella were 12-40% larger. To produce 70% of the maximum yield for yellow serradella at each harvest, yellow serradella required about 50% less P than subterranean clover. However, when yields were expressed as a percentage of the maximum yield measured for each species at each harvest, the relationship between yield and the level of P applied was similar for both species, and they had similar P requirements.

Pasture legume species differ in their capacity to acidify soil

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tang ◽  
L. Barton ◽  
C. Raphael
Keyword(s):  
Acid Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Total Acid ◽  
Ash Alkalinity ◽  
Ornithopus Sativus ◽  
Excess Cations ◽  
Pasture Legume

The capacity of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Clare), medic (Medicago murex Willd. cv. Zodiac), serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot. line SP1/13), biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L. line Mor99), and woolly clover (Trifolium tomentosum L.) to acidify soil under N2 fixation was compared in a pot experiment using a poorly buffered sandy soil. The amount of acid produced per kg shoot dry matter (specific acid production) varied betweefin species and with growth stages, ranging from 44 to 128 cmol/kg shoot. Subterranean clover and serradella acidied soil to a greater extent than woolly clover and medic, whereas biserrula acidified soil least. Irrespective of pasture species and growth stage, specific acid production correlated well with concentrations of excess cations and calcium in shoots. Furthermore, total excess cation, ash alkalinity, and calcium in shoots were all good indicators of total acid production across all of the species.

Defoliation as a factor in the growth of varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L) when grown in pure and mixed swards

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Light Energy ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Large Seed ◽  
Waite Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
High Yielding Varieties

This paper describes two experiments analysing the recovery from defoliation of subterranean clover varieties grown in swards in large seed boxes at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, Adelaide. The first experiment examined the way in which the six common commercial varieties recovered from a single severe defoliation, and showed that under these conditions they can be placed in three groups: Yarloop and Clare are tall, high-yielding varieties with few, large leaves, recovering slowly from defoliation; Tallarook and Dwalganup are prostrate varieties, lower-yielding, with many small leaves, recovering rapidly after defoliation; Bacchus Marsh and Mount Barker are intermediate in all respects. In the second experiment mixed swards of equal numbers of Yarloop and Tallarook plants were grown under three treatments: A, no defoliation; B, defoliated twice at a height which removed the higher Yarloop canopy but left the lower Tallarook plants untouched; C, defoliated twice at a height which removed the canopies of both varieties. Measurement of dry weight on four occasions after each defoliation showed that in the undefoliated treatment, all Tallarook plants died by the end of the experiment. In the defoliated treatments, the removal of the Yarloop canopy resulted in only a temporary improvement in the illuniination in which the Tallarook plants grew, and their dry weight and plant numbers progressively declined. Dry weight changes in the Tallarook component were shown to be dependent on the light energy available to it, which was in turn determined by the light-absorbing capacity of the superior Yarloop canopy. In mixed swards, the ability of Yarloop to re-establish quickly a leaf canopy above that of Tallarook appeared to explain its success when defoliated.

The significance of petiole length, leaf area, and light interception in competition between strains of subterrranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) grown in swards

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Petiole Length ◽  
Petiole Elongation ◽  
Light Profiles

Three strains of subterranean clover differing in leaf development were grown in pure swards and in all combinations in mixtures. The strain Yarloop has relatively few large leaves held on long petioles; Tallarook has many small leaves and short petioles; Bacchus Marsh is intermediate in all these respects. The swards were grown in boxes and were sampled on four occasions during the period of vegetative growth. Leaf area in each 2 cm layer of the sward was determined separately, and for both strains in the mixed swards, and measurements of the light intensity reaching each layer were obtained. Root weights were determined for all swards and separately for each component of the mixed swards. Examination of the dry weights showed that the growth of the strain having the lesser petiole elongation was suppressed. In the extreme instance Tallarook was so suppressed when grown with Yarloop that in the final inter-sampling period it grew completely in the dark, and lost about half its dry weight. Bacchus Marsh also suppressed Tallarook, but to a lesser extent, while Bacchus Marsh was itself suppressed in competition with Yarloop. The amount of light energy intercepted by the two components of the mixed swards was calculated from the leaf area and light profiles, and confirmed the importance of the spatial distribution of leaves in plant competition. It was concluded that, in the absence of defoliation, the success of a strain under competition was associated with its potential petiole elongation.

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