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The effect of potassium carbonate solution on the drying of lucerne: 2. Field studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. N. Tullberg  and
D. J. Minson
J. N. Tullberg
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Queensland Agricultural College, Lawes 4345, Australia
D. J. Minson
Affiliation:
Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, Cunningham Laboratory, C.S.I.R.O., St Lucia 4067, Australia
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Summary

In two field studies it was found that lucerne hay swaths sprayed with 3000 1/ha of 2% (w/w) aqueous potassium carbonate solution after cutting dried more rapidly than mechanically conditioned or control swaths; the ratio of drying rates being 2·17:1·43:1·00 respectively. Hay yields were increased in one of the two studies by the use of potassium carbonate.

The effect of different application rates was studied in a third trial using 200, 500 and 875 1/ha potassium carbonate solution, compared with mechanically conditioned and control swaths. After only 29 h of field exposure all swaths treated with potassium carbonate had dried to moisture contents below that required for baling (moisture: dry matter ratio < 0·3).

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 91 , Issue 3 , December 1978 , pp. 557 - 561
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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