Effect of sulfur application on selenium content of subterranean clover plants grown at different levels of selenium supply

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (119) ◽  
pp. 420 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Spencer

To assess the feasibility of adding selenium to pastures likely to be associated with White Muscle Disease and related disorders in stock, plants of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were raised in pots and supplied with rates of selenium (as selenate) and sulfur (as sulfate) in factorial combinations. On the soil used, increasing rates of selenium progressively depressed growth of clover and increased its selenium concentration; sulfur stimulated growth up to an addition of about 16 yg S/g and depressed the selenium concentration only when selenium was added. More sulfur was required to depress the selenium concentration to a threshold level, which was characteristic of a particular selenium application rate, at high initial selenium levels than at low. Clover growth was reduced when the sulfur to selenium ratio in the tops was less than 50: 1. Application rates greater than 0.025 �g Se/g soil (= 40 g/ha) produced young clover plants with excessive levels of selenium for consumption by stock. The safe rate for application to a mixed pasture is likely to be considerably less than that value. Field experiments confirmed that appreciable diminution of the selenium concentration in pasture as a result of sulfur addition occurred only when selenium was in plentiful supply. Grasses were much more affected than clovers. It is concluded that the negative interaction demonstrated between selenium and sulfur is of no practical significance when each is added at rates appropriate to the treatment of low sulfur-low selenium pastures.

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 517 ◽  
Author(s):  
BR Whelan

. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) based pastures were fertilised with sodium selenite at 9 rates from 0 to 800 g Se/ha on 2 sites in 1983. In order to measure the residual value in 1984 and 1985, further applications of sodium selenite were superimposed on the original 9 treatments. Green pasture was sampled annually, dry pasture was sampled once, only in 1984 and the concentration of selenium in the pasture was measured. The sampled pasture was sorted into 2 components: subterranean clover, and non-subterranean clover. Except for the third site that had a quadratic response for the non-subterranean clover component of the pasture, the concentration of selenium in plants increased linearly with application rate. The selenium concentration in subterranean clover was lower than that in the other species in the pasture. Differences between years were large: in 1985, the concentration in plant material was twice that in 1983 and 1984. The dry summer feed had higher concentrations of selenium than the green pasture. The residual value of selenite was 25% in the first year and 15% in the second year. Adequate dietary levels of selenium for sheep would require an annual application of about 200 g sodium selenite/ha to these soils.


1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1297 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. P. D. Choo ◽  
G. H. Baker ◽  
L. P. D. Choo ◽  
G. H. Baker

The effects of 4 commonly used pesticides, endosulfan (insecticide), fenamiphos (nematicide), methiocarb (molluscicide), and ridomil (fungicide) on the survival, growth, and reproduction of the earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides (Lumbricidae) were measured in laboratory and field experiments. When the earthworms were exposed to the pesticides on moist filter paper for 48 h, fenamiphos and, to a lesser extent, endosulfan caused significant mortality. In contrast, the survival of A. trapezoides was rarely affected by the pesticides during exposure for 5 weeks in pots and cages containing soil (only noted under 10 × normal application rate of endosulfan against adult worms). However, endosulfan did significantly reduce the weight of juvenile A. trapezoides within 5 weeks when applied to soil at normal application rate in both the field and laboratory. Fenamiphos did so at normal application rate in the field only. Fenamiphos and methiocarb reduced earthworm weight in the laboratory when applied at 10 × normal rate. The clitella of adult earthworms regressed with exposure to endosulfan at normal rate and also exposure to fenamiphos at 10 × normal rate. Cocoon production was inhibited by endosulfan and fenamiphos at normal application rates and methiocarb at 10 × normal rate. The use of some pesticides, in particular endosulfan, could significantly reduce the establishment of abundant and beneficial populations of earthworms in Australian pastures.


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
J. S. Yeates ◽  
M. F. Clarke

The dry herbage yield increase (response) of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)-based pasture (>85% clover) to applications of different sources of sulfur (S) was compared in 7 field experiments on very sandy soils in the > 650 mm annual average rainfall areas of south-western Australia where S deficiency of clover is common when pastures grow rapidly during spring (August–November). The sources compared were single superphosphate, finely grained and coarsely grained gypsum from deposits in south-western Australia, and elemental S. All sources were broadcast (topdressed) once only onto each plot, 3 weeks after pasture emerged at the start of the first growing season. In each subsequent year, fresh fertiliser-S as single superphosphate was applied 3 weeks after pasture emerged to nil-S plots previously not treated with S since the start of the experiment. This was to determine the residual value of sources applied at the start of the experiment in each subsequent year relative to superphosphate freshly-applied in each subsequent year. In addition, superphosphate was also applied 6, 12 and 16 weeks after emergence of pasture in each year, using nil-S plots not previously treated with S since the start of the experiment. Pasture responses to applied S are usually larger after mid-August, so applying S later may match plant demand increasing the effectiveness of S for pasture production and may also reduce leaching losses of the applied S.At the same site, yield increases to applied S varied greatly, from 0 to 300%, at different harvests in the same or different years. These variations in yield responses to applied S are attributed to the net effect of mineralisation of different amounts of S from soil organic matter, dissolution of S from fertilisers, and different amounts of leaching losses of S from soil by rainfall. Within each year at each site, yield increases were mostly larger in spring (September–November) than in autumn (June–August). In the year of application, single superphosphate was equally or more effective than the other sources. In years when large responses to S occurred, applying single superphosphate later in the year was more effective than applying single superphosphate 3 weeks after pasture emerged (standard practice), so within each year the most recently applied single superphosphate treatment was the most effective S source. All sources generally had negligible residual value, so S needed to be applied each year to ensure S deficiency did not reduce pasture production.


1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Ozanne ◽  
KMW Howes

The effects of four common fertilizers containing calcium on seed production in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were measured at six locations over five years in a total of fifteen field experiments. Calcium as a sulphate, carbonate or phosphate salt was applied to subterranean clover pastures either at the start of the growing season (autumn) or at flowering (spring). Gypsum, plaster of Paris, or lime gave large increases in seed yield per unit area and also per unit weight of tops. Spring applications of superphosphate increased seed yields in only two out of four experiments. Gypsum applied in spring at 200-500 kg ha-1 was as effective as 2,000 kg ha-1 of lime applied in autumn. Applications of lime in spring were much less effective. Increased seed yields were due to increases in burr yield, seed number per burr, and mean weight per seed. They were usually accompanied by increases in calcium concentration in the seed. Responses in seed production to calcium applications were obtained in all three sub-species of Trifolium subterraneum. In two experiments, newly sown on a soil type on which subterranean clover regeneration and persistence is commonly very poor, applied calcium doubled or quadrupled seed set. In 13 experiments using soils on which subterranean clover had persisted as the major component of the pasture for several years, calcium in the year of application increased the total seed bank by 6 to 31 per cent, and the current seed set by a greater amount.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Arnold III ◽  
J.P. Beasley ◽  
G.H. Harris ◽  
T.L. Grey ◽  
M. Cabrera

ABSTRACT Calcium (Ca) availability in the 0 to 8 cm soil depth often limits peanut yield and influences grade in the southeastern United States. Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 at the University of Georgia's Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA (CPES) and the Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center, Plains, GA (SWREC) to determine large-seeded (Georgia-06G) and medium-seed sized (Georgia Greener) runner-type cultivar response to gypsum application rates of 0, 560, 1120, 1650 kg/ha. Peanut pod yield and grade (TSMK) were significantly different between locations with 7610 and 6540 kg/ha at CPES and SWREC, respectively. However, there were no differences between peanut cultivars or gypsum rates. Standard germination, seed vigor (cold germination), and seed Ca content analysis were also conducted on subsamples from each plot. Average peanut seed germination was 97% across all samples. No differences were observed for standard germination or vigor testing. Differences in locations were observed for yield, TSMK, percent jumbo, percent medium kernels, and seed Ca content. Peanut cultivar and gypsum application rate had effects on seed Ca concentration. Seed Ca concentration levels were 825 and 787 mg/kg for Georgia Greener and Georgia-06G, respectively. Seed Ca content increased as field gypsum application rate increased at both locations.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. Thompson ◽  
I. R. P. Fillery

Nitrogen (N) mineralisation from mature subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) shoots and roots and from sheep urine and faeces, and N uptake by wheat from the shoots, urine, and faeces, were determined with 15 N in a field study in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Treatments were applied to the soil surface of confined micro-plots in autumn and incorporated into soil immediately before wheat was sown in winter. Mature subterranean clover shoots containing 18 kg N/ha were applied to the soil surface, and root material containing 17 kg N/ha was mixed into soil. 15N-labelled urine and faeces were obtained from housed sheep fed 15N-labelled wheat straw and grain. Urine was applied at the rates of 151 and 301 kg N/ha, and faeces was added at the rate of 47 kg N/ha. There was a loss of 14% of shoot 15N in the 2 months this residue was on the soil surface, although very little mineralisation occurred. On the assumption that wind-blow caused the initial loss of 15N, 28% of shoot N mineralised in 6 months following incorporation of shoot residues into soil, and crop recovery was 11% of the 15N applied. N mineralisation from the mature roots was 26% in 6 months. NH3 volatilisation from urine, estimated by difference, was 25% for high urine (0·517 mL/cm2) and 33% for low urine (0·258 mL/cm2) application rates, the loss occurring in the first 2 weeks. Wheat uptake was 23% of the high urine 15N and 22% of the low urine 15N. Leaching losses from unplanted micro-plots were approximately 25-30% of urine 15N. In contrast, leaching losses from planted micro-plots were estimated to be approximately 10% of urine 15N. Approximately 30% of faecal N was mineralised and recovery of faeces N by wheat was 1% of applied 15N. The relative contributions of these components to N turnover in the ley pasture wheat rotation are discussed. It is concluded that assessments of the potential turnover of N in pastures to cropping phases need to consider the low rates of N mineralisation of above-ground herbage, the potential for supply of N from the total root system, the effect of grazing on NH3volatilisation, and consequent loss of N fixed by legumes.


1961 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Thompson

In a series of field experiments on seven soils of pH 6.0 or higher, nodulation of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. var. Tallarook) was improved by pelleting the seed with various glues and coating materials, prior to inoculation with dry peat inoculum. On these soils the responses were not related to the chemical properties of the pellet materials. The beneficial effect was apparently the result of physical separation of the seed coat and inoculum. It is postulated that pelleting of seed protects the inoculum from an antibiotic, whlch has been found in subterranean clover seed coats, and which is active against Rhizobium in culture. On a soil of pH 5.1 a nodulation response to two types of pelleting materials was apparently related to the chemical constituents of the coating materials. In this soil there was less evidence of the importance of physical separation of the inoculum from the seed coat. It seems likely that soils may differ considerably in their ability to inactivate the antibiotic. Nodulation was not improved by in situ fumigation, prior to sowing, of two soils of pH 6.0 and 6.6, which indicated that antagonism by soil microorganisms was not the cause of poor nodulation in these soils. Significant nodulation responses to pelleting were obtained in sowings in these fumigated soils.


1964 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter

The results of two long-term field experiments and two 1-year experiments are reported. In three of these, severe phosphate deficiency was present initially. At high phosphate supply, the annual total yield was not significantly related to age of pasture over periods of 10–13 years. At intermediate and low supply, yields relative to high phosphate supply increased significantly with time; these increases are believed to demonstrate residual effects of phosphate. Indirect evidence for nitrogen accretion from clover under severely phosphate-deficient conditions is presented. Sward components—in the long term—responded differentially to phosphate supply. With very low phosphate, erodium (Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.) and flatweed (Hypochoeris glabra L.) were dominant; whereas with high phosphate, cape-weed (Cryptostemma calendula (L.) Druce) and ripgut brome grass (Bromus rigidus Roth)—or else barley grass (Hordeum leporinum Link)—were dominant. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), though present under these extremes, was relatively more plentiful at intermediate levels of supply. However, at "steady state" conditions, the range in clover content was fairly narrow (from c. 20 to 40%). The significance of these findings to a sheep infertility problem ("clover disease") of subterranean clover-dominant pastures is discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAC Jones

During 1989-92, subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown in field experiments in which swards of six cultivars were infected with bean yellow mosaic potyvirus (BYMV) by transplanting small BYMV-infected subterranean clover plants into them. The swards were then grazed by sheep or mown to simulate grazing. The infected transplants were the primary virus source for subsequent spread by aphids. Spread initially centred on infected transplants resulting in circular expanding infected patches. Later, secondary patches, isolated affected plants and more generalized infection sometimes developed. The extent of spread within swards from the transplants varied with cultivar, BYMV isolate, site and year. Final BYMV incidence ranged from 12% of plants symptom-affected by isolate MI in cv. Junee in 1991 to 100% by isolate SMB in cv. Leura in 1992. BYMV spread mostly occurred in spring and was increased around the edges of areas of bare ground in swards. In two experiments at one site in which 'mini swards' of cvv. Green Range, Karridale and Leura were mown repeatedly, BYMV-infection decreased herbage yields (dry weights) by 12-16% while seed yields were decreased significantly (by 37-40010) in one experiment. In a grazing experiment at a second site with swards of cvv. Esperance and Karridale, BYMV-infection decreased overall yields of herbage by 18-39% and seed by 11-12%; herbage yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 28-49%. In a further grazing experiment at this site with swards of cvv. Junee and Karridale, BYMV-induced losses determined from symptom-affected patches were 21-29% for herbage and 15-25% for seed. In a grazing experiment with swards of cvv. Denmark and ~ e u r a ' at a third site, BYMV-induced overall herbage yield decreases of 8-12% were still recorded despite extensive BYMV spread to control swards; yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 18-25% for herbage and 35-47% for seed. Seed yield losses were due to decreased seed size (mean seed weight), fewer seeds being produced, or both. Estimates of the effects of different levels of BYMV infection on herbage yields in partially infected grazed swards were obtained for cvv. Denmark, Karridale and Leura by plotting individual quadrat data for herbage dry weights against % symptom-affected plants. Losses increased in proportion to the level of infection, but their magnitude also varied with cultivar and experiment. It is concluded that BYMV infection of subterranean clover pastures is cause for concern, not only as regards herbage yield losses but also as regards depletion of the seed bank, which, when compounded year by year, results in pasture deterioration. Early and prolonged aphid activity, reseeding the pasture with susceptible cultivars, heavy grazing and extended growing seasons are all likely to magnify BYMV-induced losses.


1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
MJ Palmer

Subterranean clover (cv. Daliak) was grown in boxes with provision for unrestricted lateral growth. At the commencement of flowering, plants were allocated to three day/night temperature regimes of 12/7°, 18/13° and 24/19°C in controlled-temperature glasshouses and well watered until maturity (unstressed). In two additional treatments at 18/13°, plants were either subjected to intermittent moisture stress throughout the flowering period (stressed) or well watered for the first 6 weeks of flowering and then allowed to dry out (droughted). Increasing temperature resulted in more rapid inflorescence production, seed development and earlier plant maturation. The overall mean seed size was lower at 24/19° than at the other two temperatures. The stressed and droughted treatments produced fewer and smaller seeds than the corresponding unstressed treatment. There was a small effect of temperature on the degree of hard-seededness as determined from the mean softening time of seed subjected to daily alternating temperatures of 60/15°. Softening time was not significantly affected by watering treatments. There were small differences in softening time due to the position of the burr on the lateral, with a slight trend for seeds from the first-formed burrs to soften more rapidly. Most of the variation in softening time between seeds was due to variation within burrs. The sequence of seed softening within burrs was related to seed size, the larger seeds generally softening first, but no single regression could be used to describe this relationship for different burr positions or treatments. The absence of major treatment effects on the degree of hard-seededness indicates that varying the length of the seed development period does not necessarily result in differences in hard-seededness, as has been suggested from field experiments.


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