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The effect of lime and phosphate on soils and sown species in the Falkland Islands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. H. McAdam
J. H. McAdam
Affiliation:
Grassland Trials Unit, Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic
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Summary

Experiments to determine the effects of a range of applied lime and phosphate treatments on the establishment of species and the subsequent herbage production in the first and second seasons following sowing on four sites in the Falkland Islands are described and the results discussed.

Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis established, successfully yielding up to 4·5 t D.M./ha per year with inputs of 55 kg N, 50 kg P and 20 kg K/ha. Applied P increased the yield of herbage and produced a small, though significant, increase in P status of the soil.

The lowest level of applied lime (0·63 t/ha) increased the soil pH to 5·0 and although this did not affect the yield or botanical composition of the grass component of the sward it did affect the presence and nodulation of white clover.

The problems of establishing white clover are presented in view of the severe limitations on the use of lime and fertilizer in the Islands. The implications of grazing this improved pasture are discussed in relation to increased pasture production and improved soil fertility.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 96 , Issue 1 , February 1981 , pp. 89 - 97
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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