New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Effects of fertiliser application on nutrient status and organic matter content
of hill soils
M. G. LAMBERT
AgResearch Grasslands
Private Bag 11008
Palmerston North, New Zealand
D. A. CLARK
Dairying Research Corporation
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand
A. D. MACKAY
D. A. COSTALL
AgResearch Grasslands
Private Bag 11008
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Abstract Effects of two fertiliser treatments on soil
characteristics were measured during 1972-87, within 10 grazed
permanent-pasture "farmlets", on steep hill country in southern Hawke's Bay,
New Zealand. The low fertiliser (LF) treatment received 125 kg ha-1
superphosphate p.a., and the high fertiliser (HF) an average 625 kg
ha-1 p.a. for 5 years then 375 kg ha-1 p.a. subsequently.
Ground limestone was applied to HF in 1975 and 1979. Grazing pressure was the
same across treatments. Soil fertility decreased with increasing slope of
measurement site, and aspect had a less marked effect. Phosphorus initially
accumulated mainly in inorganic forms, with organic P accumulating at a slower
rate similar to that for organic S. Olsen P status reflected P application
regime, although the responsiveness was lower than anticipated. Soil pH in the
non-limed LF treatment increased slightly over time, probably as a consequence
of the decline in soil organic C. Soil total N (0-75 mm depth) remained
constant in LF, but increased by 19 kg ha-1 yr-1 in HF
soils. Soil carbon decreased in LF and HF by 200 kg C ha-1
yr-1. This suggests that soil organic matter may be decreasing in
some New Zealand pastoral environments.
Keywords soil fertility; fertiliser; organic matter; pH;
nutrient status; slope; aspect; carbon; nitrogen; phosphorus; sulphur
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2000, Vol. 43: 127-138
0028-8233/00/4301-0127 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
2000
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (971K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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