Current requirements of copper for pasture and sheep production on sandy soils in the upper south-east of South Australia

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (117) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Hannam ◽  
GJ Judson ◽  
DJ Reuter ◽  
LD McLaren ◽  
JD McFarlane

The current requirement of copper for optimum growth of pasture, and production and health of sheep on the sandy soils of the upper south-east regions of South Australia was investigated in three consecutive years at three sites each of which had previously been treated once with copper. In a glasshouse study copper applied to virgin soil, obtained from areas next to the sites, increased the growth of subterranean clover. Dry matter production of herbage grown in enclosures on developed soil that had received copper 14-23 years earlier did not respond to additional applications of copper fertilizer. The concentration of copper in grazed herbage, where no additional copper was applied, was usually greater than 6 mg/kg dry matter. Sheep liveweight and greasy wool production were not increased by subcutaneous injections of copper at any site and the concentrations of copper in blood plasma and liver of untreated sheep were consistently greater than those associated with copper inadequacy in sheep. Also the copper treatments did not affect the fibre diameter or copper concentrations of the fleeces, and steely wool was not observed. We concluded that a copper dressing of 2 kg/ha to these soils provides adequate copper for pasture and sheep production for at least 23 years and that repeated dressings are unwarranted.


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 785 ◽  
Author(s):  
AR Leys ◽  
B Plater ◽  
WJ Lill

The responses of vulpia [Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray and V. myuros (L.) C. C. Gmelin] and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) to rate and time of application of simazine were compared on a red loam soil containing 1.8% organic matter and on sands containing 0.4 and 0.8% organic matter. In 1988 and 1989, applications of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 kg a.i./ha of simazine in late May-early June resulted in 96.4, 99.8 and 99.6% control of vulpia, respectively. Later applications in July-August, or earlier applications in April, were less effective. There were no differences in the levels of control obtained on the 2 soils, nor were there any differences in the susceptibility of V. bromoides or V. myuros to simazine. On the red loam soil simazine did not reduce subterranean clover plant density or dry matter production; however, severe reductions of both were recorded on the sandy soils. Reasons for the different responses, along with the potential for the use of simazine to control vulpia in subterranean clover pastures, are discussed in detail.



1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland

Most of the sandy soils near Esperance, W.A., were cleared of native vegetation and sown to subterranean clover in the 1950s and 1960s. Over the past 20-30 years, pH values of the topsoil (1:5, soil: water) have decreased from 6.5-7.0 to 5.0-5.5. The application of 2 t/ha of agricultural lime increased the soil pH (1:5, 0.01 CaCl2) from 5.5 to 5.8, from 4.9 to 5.6, and from 5.1 to 5.5 at three sites that had been sown to subterranean clover for 10, 20 and 40 years respectively. However, lime had no effect on either dry matter production or seed yield of subterranean clover. Additions of calcium in a further experiment also did not affect the seed yield of subterranean clover. Irrespective of the lime treatments, the addition of nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, copper, zinc, molybdenum, cobalt, manganese and boron) significantly (P<0.05) improved dry herbage yields by a factor of 1.3, 1.7 and 1.4 at the 10-, 20- and 40-year-old sites. However, the addition of nutrients did not affect seed yields of subterranean clover. In other experiments, the omission of sulfur, potassium and, for the deepest sandy site, phosphorus reduced dry herbage yields by between 10-30%. The omission of molybdenum from treatments of the 20- and 40-year-old pasture reduced herbage yields by 21 and 16% respectively. However, omission of molybdenum in the experiment sited on the 10-year-old pasture did not affect yields. Thus, as the acidification of the sandplain soils continues, molybdenum may become deficient and may limit herbage yields of subterranean clover.



1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (99) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC Andrews ◽  
FC Crofts

Four ecotypes of hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were compared with common couch (C. dactylon) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) at five sites in coastal districts of New South Wales. The sites were Grafton and Coaldale (Lat. 30�S), Mitchells Island (Lat. 32�S) and Richmond and Badgerys Creek (Lat. 34�S). Hybrid Bermudagrass ecotypes 6389 and 692 were established quickly at all sites while ecotypes 71 9 and 632 were satsifactory. Kikuyu was strong at all sites except Grafton but the rate of establishment of common couch was poor. At the frost-free sandy site of Mitchells Island, Bermudagrass ecotypes 719, 692, 6389, and 632 outyielded kikuyu by 75, 65, 65 and 35%, respectively. However, at Grafton and Coaldale, the highest yielding Bermudagrass ecotype, 719, had only 35% higher production than kikuyu. At the frost prone southern sites of Richmond and Badgerys Creek, the annual production of kikuyu was equal to that of ecotypes 719, 6389, 692 and 632. Common couch yields were equal to kikuyu at all sites except at Richmond. At Mitchells Island, the hybrid Bermudagrasses outyielded kikuyu in spring, summer and early autumn but in the late autumn kikuyu had equal and sometimes higher growth rates than the best Bermudagrasses. In winter, the growth of both species was negligible, although kikuyu, unlike the Bermudagrasses, did produce some new shoots at the base of the sward. Data on persistence under grazing were collected from only three of the sites but trends were similar to establishment. Ecotype 6389 had the highest persistence rating of the Bermudagrasses. Kikuyu failed at the poorly drained sandy site of Grafton but remained strong at the other sites. It was concluded that hybrid Bermudagrasses were of potential value for pastures in New South Wales, especially for sites with sandy soils and low frost incidence.



2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. McCaskill ◽  
M. C. Raeside ◽  
S. G. Clark ◽  
C. MacDonald ◽  
B. Clark ◽  
...  

Pastures sown to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) with a perennial non-legume could increase feed supply relative to traditional pastures based on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Such mixtures might also be preferable to pure lucerne pastures, which are prone to weed invasion. Yield and water-use efficiency (harvested dry matter per unit evapotranspiration) of mixtures with lucerne or subterranean clover were compared a field experiment established under rainfed conditions at Hamilton, Victoria. Soil moisture and dry matter production were measured over 2 years. Treatments included chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) with either lucerne or subterranean clover; pure lucerne; and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with only subterranean clover. In the second year, dry matter production from lucerne mixtures exceeded that of equivalent mixtures with subterranean clover in spring, summer and winter. In spring, the lucerne component continued producing for longer than the clover component through its use of deeper stored soil water, and in summer, lucerne continued to grow slowly after the grass component had entered a drought-induced dormancy. In winter, the contribution from the lucerne component complemented, rather than competed with, that from the non-legume component. Water-use efficiencies during winter–spring ranged from 4 kg ha–1 mm–1 for chicory–clover to 27 kg ha–1 mm–1 for a fescue–lucerne mixture, and during summer–autumn from nil for cocksfoot–clover to 13 kg ha–1 mm–1 for a fescue–lucerne mixture. This study demonstrates that lucerne-based mixtures can increase forage supply per unit water use relative to traditional pastures based on subterranean clover.



1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Michalk ◽  
PA Witschi

Between 1962 and 1964, 4 experiments were conducted at Leeton, New South Wales, Australia to examine the potential productivity of a range of irrigated winter forage crops in providing useful feed during the period of shortage in late autumn and early winter. In addition, the effects of sowing rate were examined for sowings using (a) prepared seedbeds or (b) sod-seeding into existing subterranean clover/Lolium rigidum cv. Wimmera pastures. DM yields at 74, 109, 144 or 173 days from sowing were compared with a subterranean clover/ryegrass control. Of the spp. evaluated the cereals were the most consistent both for initial production and subsequent regrowth. For the cruciferous spp. early cutting (100 days after sowing) proved detrimental to subsequent production, reducing the contribution of the sown spp. to 3% DM. Although the low proportion of the leguminous forages limited their potential production, they increased pasture quality relative to the clover/ryegrass control. DM production of wheat and rape increased with increasing sowing rate on (a) but for turnips there was a yield decline with increased sowing rate. Oats showed no response to sowing rate on (a), but increasing the sowing rate on (b) plots increased the proportion of oats in the pasture, although there was a consequent reduction in total yield. Increases in the contribution made by wheat to total yield as a result of increased sowing on (b) plots were small.



2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Boom ◽  
Mike Dodd

A 4-year lime rate trial was established on a hill country sheep and cattle property near Te Akau to determine lime effects on pasture utilisation. Four rates of lime were applied (1.25 t/ha, 2.5 t/ha, 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha) to 2 m × 2 m plots, from which soil Al, Ca and pH, pasture grazing heights, dry matter production, pasture species composition, feed quality and brix levels were measured. Lime application reduced soil Al (14.6 to 1.1 mg/kg), and increased Ca and pH (5.0 to 6.2) over time in the highest application rate. Dry matter production responded to all rates of lime in each year, and by the fourth year it was 27% greater (1.25 t/ha treatment), 35% greater (2.5 t/ha treatment), 69% greater (5 t/ha treatment), and 97% greater (10 t/ha treatment) than in the un-limed plots. Ryegrass and subterranean clover content increased with lime rate, whereas chewings fescue and dicot weed content declined. There were no sustained differences in pasture grazing heights, feed quality or brix levels between the control and rates of lime. On this site, all rates of lime were economic to apply by truck or plane when the benefits were spread over 4 years, with the greatest cost-benefit from thelower rates of lime.



1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Woodward ◽  
FHW Morley

Seventy-four lines of Trifolium glomeratum L. from a wide range of Australian and European environments were grown in a glasshouse at Canberra. Time to flower, growth habit, leaf markings, stipule colour, floret colour and dry matter production varied among collections, and within some lines. Numbers of flowers per plant, leaf: stem ratio, and dry matter yields were correlated with days to flower. The variation within the European collection was similar to that within the Australian collection. Time of flowering has probably been important in natural selection in this species, since the date of flowering at Canberra was strongly correlated with date of the end of the growing season (defined by effective rainfall) at the collection site of each ecotype. A survey during 1970 through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia showed the western limit of spread of T. glomeratum to be through Garah, Burren Junction, Coonamble, Euabalong,Booligal, Moulamein, Beulah, Lake Hindmarsh, Mannum and Jamestown. Extrapolation of climatic restrictions to Western Australia indicated that the species could exist west of Lake Biddy, and possibly north and east to Geraldton and Esperance. The distribution appears to be controlled by the shortest length of growing season in which the species can germinate, grow, and set viable seed.



1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (59) ◽  
pp. 634 ◽  
Author(s):  
PE Beale ◽  
EJ Crawford

The growth and persistence of a number of accessions of seven species of Trifolium were measured. For the first three years the plots were grazed only to remove excess herbage after sampling. For the following three years they were grazed continuously under commercial conditions. In ungrazed swards the annual dry matter production of accessions of T. cherleri, T. globosum, and T. purpureurn was similar to T. subterraneum cultivars Yarloop and Woogenellup. T. cherleri, T. globosum, and Woogenellup made the bulk of their growth during the spring whereas T. purpureum and Yarloop produced half of their total dry matter during the winter. Good plant densities of T. argutum, T. cherleri, T. purpureum, and T. subterraneum were present at the end of three years continuous grazing, but Woogenellup and all other species were markedly inferior to Yarloop in their contribution to total production at the end of this period. Yarloop and T. purpureum were found to be very susceptible to clover scorch (Kabatiella caulivora) ; Woogenellup was moderately susceptible and the other species were unaffected in the field. All test species had low levels of formononetin in their leaves.



1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (54) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
CL Rudd

The response of annual medic dominant pastures to residual and currently applied phosphorus was examined in twelve experiments in cereal areas of South Australia. The experimental sites had been sown in the previous year to wheat with nine rates of phosphorus ranging from 0-48 kg P/ha applied as superphosphate. The 0.5M NaHCO3 extraction provided an effective index of residual available soil phosphorus after the crop and the amount of phosphorus detected by this soil test varied from 24-43 per cent of the total phosphorus applied as superphosphate on sandy and heavier textured soils respectively. Regression analysis showed that an available soil phosphorus level of 32-38 kg P/ha 10 cm was sufficient to produce 90 per cent of maximum pasture yield on the sandy soils but 41-47 kg P/ha 10 cm was required on heavier textured soils. Percentage phosphorus in the dry matter in spring was not correlated with pasture response.



1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
CWL Henderson

The effects of soil compaction and deep ripping on the growth and yield of crop (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, narrow leaf lupins and field peas) and pasture species (barrel medic and subterranean clover) were investigated for deep, sandy soils near Geraldton, Western Australia. In 1984 (an average rainfall season), growth and yields of all species were substantially reduced by soil compaction. Lupins were not included in the experiment. Barley, wheat and pea yields were reduced by around 45%; oat and triticale yields by 30%; and spring biomass of both pasture species was reduced by about 30%. The differences in response between the species were not significant (P>0.05). In 1985 (a very dry year), amelioration of soil compaction by deep ripping increased the dry matter at flowering of all the species, including lupins, by about 30%. Severe water stress in the cereals after flowering prevented the conversion of this dry matter advantage into grain yield differences. Because of late flowering and slow maturation, the yield of the oats was significantly (P<0.05) lower on the deep-ripped areas, compared with the yield on the compacted soil. Deep ripping increased the yield of peas by 60% and lupins by 20%, probably because flowering and seed filling were completed before the onset of severe water stress. For deep, sandy soils in mediterranean environments, maximum economic benefit would normally accrue from deep ripping prior to the cereal phase, given that current agronomic principles generally preclude the growing of peas on these soils. Selection of cereal species mainly depends on relative yields and prices; however, the results suggest that use of cultivars with rapid early growth, early flowering and quick maturity would maximise the response to compaction amelioration and minimise the risk of poor grain filling.



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