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Liming Acidic Soils Creates Profits, Land Use Options But Often More Emissions, Sud Kharel, Christophe D'Abbadie, Amir Abadi Ghadim, Chris Gazey, Ross Kingwell

Natural Resources Research Articles

Context

Soil acidity constrains crop production in Australia. The practice of liming can reduce soil acidity but produces greenhouse gas emissions.

Aims

By examining land use sequences over three decades at a range of locations in Western Australia, this study aims to identify firstly where and when liming might boost farm profits and secondly, what emissions and land use management flexibilities are generated by liming.

Methods

Bioeconomic simulation modelling is used to identify the gross margins and emissions associated with liming in land use sequences at 14 locations in Western Australia. Three intensities of cropping and three different rotational sequences …

Effect Of Fertilizer Application On Soil Organisms Under Pasture, K W. Perrott, S U. Sarathchandra, A Lee

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Effects of nutrients and phosphate fertiliser on soil microbial biomass and several groups of soil organisms were determined in a glasshouse and field experiment. Extreme depletion of soil phosphorus nitrogen or sulphur caused a decline in the soil microbial biomass. This appeared to result from lower plant growth rather than directly through nutrient depletion. No long-term effects of superphosphate (SSP) or North Carolina phosphate rock (NCPR) on numbers of earthworms or soil micro-organisms were found in a field experiment where treatment differences had been maintained for 3 years. However, soil samples taken from fertilised plots 14 days after topdressing had …

Cadmium Accumulation In New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture, A.H C. Roberts, R D. Longhurst, M W. Brown

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in New Zealand agriculture was investigated principally in a national survey of pastoral soils. A total of 398 sites were sampled covering most major provinces in both North and South Islands: 312 pastoral farms and 86 "native" sites. The native sites were native bush, reserves, parks or other non­agricultural areas which were representative of the soil groups sampled on farms, The overall average total Cd content (0-7.5 cm depth) for native soils was 0.20 µgig Cd (range 0.02-0,77 µgig Cd), while the corresponding average content for pastoral soils was 0.44 µgig Cd (0.04-1.53 µgig Cd). …

Use Of Forage Nitrate-Nitrogen To Improve Nitrogen-Use Efficiency In Coastal Bermudagrass, S R. Wilkinson, M H. Frere

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) is an important warm-season perennial grass in the Southern Piedmont of the USA. It has a high production potential, a consequent high N fertiliser requirement and is often recommended as cover for waste management systems. Forage NO3-N was correlated with dry matter yield, and drainage water with NO3-N concentration. Log forage NO3-N was significantly correlated with yield (R2=0,83) and with log soil water NO3-N (R2 .. 0.76) (P<0.01). Yields of bermudagrass associated with accumulation of IO mg NO3-N/I in shallow ground water were less than 75% of maximum, Bermudagrass growth modelling studies suggest that about 50% of maximum yield is the point of greatest N­use efficiency. This may approximate the upper limit of N application for the long term if excessive NO3-N concentration in shallow ground water Is to be prevented. Forage tissue testing for NO3-N may be useful for indicating when N-use efficiency is declining and when excess NO3-N accumulation in the soil may be expected.

Continuous High Production In The Meadow By Introduction Of Seasonal Grazing, H Murakami, H Iwama, K Okamoto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two meadows were equally fertilised and used for haymaking since their establishment in 1966. The dry matter (DM) yield decreased gradually after the establishment of the meadows and reached a stable low level around 1974, when the autumn-saved pasture (ASP) winter grazing system was introduced to one of them !ASP meadow). The productivity of the meadow for only haymaking (HM meadow) remained low (9 t/ha), whereas the productivity of the ASP meadow recovered rapidly to a high level (13 Uha). DM yield and nutrient absorption by grass in the ASP meadow (N:242, P2O5:97, K1O:412 kg/ha) were about 1.5 times as …

Correspondence Between Vegetation And Soil In An Open Grassland, K Torok

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Within the framework of a project to assess the condition of the communities in a nature reserve, soil variables were compared to vascular species composition of 3 andesite grassland sites. Fifty-five plots were sampled for species cover and for 17 soil variables, Characteristic indicator values (CIV) of each relev6 was also calculated for temperature, moisture, reaction and nitrogen based on species ecological indicator values. In this way 3 data sets have been subjected to multivariate analyses in order to detect dissimilarity among sites. The results show that the measured soil variables have an impact upon species composition: the stands are …

Fate Of Urinary Nitrogen On Peat Soils Under Contrasting Conditions, T J. Clough, S F. Ledgard, K C. Cameron, R R. Sherlock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the Waikato district of New Zealand, large areas of peat soils are used for pastoral agriculture. This study examined the urinary nitrogen (N) transformations after application of ISN•labelled urine to peat soils at 2 stages of development, with and without a water table present. The peat soil with the longest development history had greater plant recovery of urine N but also had greater denitrificalion losses. The presence of a water table reduced both immobilisation and plant uptake of urinary N and increased loss by denitrification.

Studies On Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon, Nitrogen And Phosphorus In Three Crop Rotation Systems, A Garcia, D A. Moron

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Amount and dynamics of microbial biomass were studied in 3 different agricultural systems which has been cropped for 27 years on a mollisol. Plots were sampled 5 times between June 1989 and January 1990, Average microbial biomass was higher in the pasture-crop system than in the continuous crop system, Seasonal variations in biomass were related to periods of active plant growth and warmer temperatures. Quantities of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) immobilised in soil biomass were also higher in the crop pasture system and were linearly related to biomass carbon. Mean annual fluxes through biomass (20 cm depth) were estimated …

Field Evaluation Of Partially Acidulated Phosphate Rocks As Fertilizers For Permanent Pastures, S.S S. Rajan, S F. Ledgard, B S. Thorrold

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Seven field trials were conducted, in soils of volcanic origin, to evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of partially acidulated phosphate rocks (PAPRs), as influenced by type of acidulant, degree of acidulation, fineness of grinding and reactivity of phosphate rock, and hardness of the granules, Pasture dry matter production results indicated that sulphuric PAPRs of 30% and SO% acidulation prepared from unground North Carolina rock were less effective than superphosphate. When reactive rocks were finely ground, 20% phosphoric acidulated product was generally as effective as superphosphate, and there was no apparent difference between the products prepared from North Carolina and a less …

Improving The Efficiency Of Nitrogen Utilization In A Grassland Soil With Different Mixtures Of Pasture Species, B E. Ruz-Jerez, P Roger Ball, R E. White

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture composition, herbage yield and symbiotic nitrogen fixation were compared in traditional grasslands (either based on fertiliser N or legumes) and a grassland system (herbal Icy) based on a mixture of legumes, non-aggressive grasses and deep-rooting herbs. Herbal Icy was the most efficient system in terms of herbage production per unit of N input, offering the possibility of sustaining a high level of pasture production without fertiliser N and hence reducing the risk of N losses to the environment.

Pasture Sulphur Recovery And Transformations Of Sheep Urinary Sulphur In Irrigated Soils Of Canterbury, New Zealand, M L. Nguyen, K M. Goh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A field plot trial was conducted on irrigated pasture of a Templeton silt loam soil (Udic Ustochrept) by applying 3Ssulphur (358)-labelled urine (250 µCi/g S with 1300 µSimi urine) to field plots (600x600 mm) at a rate normally occurring in sheep urine patches (150 ml in 0.03 m1). Results showed that 27 days after urine application, approximately 55- 90% of 35S-labelled urine was incorporated into soil sulphate (SO4)-S, ester SO 4-S and carbon-bonded S fractions within the major rooting zone (0-300 mm), Labelled-S was found to a soil depth of 500 cm during a 271-day period, showing that these S …

Factors Affecting Plant Sulphur Requirements In New Zealand Pastoral And Arable Systems, M L. Nguyen, K M. Goh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper reviews major factors affecting sulphur (S) cycling in New Zealand pastoral and arable· systems and identifies areas of research required to improve the efficient use of S fertilisers and soil S reserves. In the grazed pastoral system, S removal in animal products constitutes a small fraction of total S output while S leaching losses and excreta! S transfer losses to stock camps are substantial. Although grazing animals may cause a considerable S loss from the system, they enhance the oxidation of elemental S. Accumulated soil organic S due to the return of animal excreta and long-term annual applications …

An Overview Of Pasture Response, Nutrient Turnover And Nutrient Accumulation On The Grazed, Long-Term Superphosphate Trial At Winchmore, New Zealand, R J. Haynes, P H. Williams

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The results of a long-term grazed, border dyke-irrigated trial studying the effects of annual maintenance rates of superphosphate (0, 188 and 376 kg/ha) for 40 years are outlined and discussed. Superphosphate applications increased pasture dry matter yields and this was attributed to a response to both added P and S. There was a build-up of soil organic matter over the duration of the experiment which was greater for the superphosphate treatments than control. Grazing sheep caused a redistribution of nutrients across experimental plots due to their behaviour of camping on the raised level areas of the plots. A balance sheet …

Phosphorus Deficiency Affects The Growth And Development Of Temperate Pasture Species, P D. Kemp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Morphological and ontogenetic responses of temperate pasture species 10 P deficiency with the potential 10 affect the plant's persistence and productivity were examined. Plants were grown in pols in glasshouses. Two grass species, Lolium multiflorum and Phlalaris aquatica, were compared and 2 cullivars of Trifolium repens, Grasslands Huia and Grasslands Tahora, were compared under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. ShooVrool ratio and the number of tillers per plant were unaffected by P deficiency in P. aquatica but decreased in L. multiflorum. Reproductive development ceased at the double ridge stage in P-deficienl P. aq11alica. Huia was more sensitive than …

An Overview Of The New Zealand Experience In Establishing, Maintaining, And Utilizing White Clover Based Pastures, M B. O'Connor, A M. Bryant, R A. Prestidge

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Establishment of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) involves the provision of all major and minor elements necessary for clover growth and N fixation (particularly P, S, K, Mo). Nitrogen fertiliser is not necessary. Inoculation of seed with rhizobium is required where white clover has not been grown previously and in difficult environments. Pest control where necessary is enhanced by insecticidal and nematicidal seed coatings on the white clover seed, Barty management is critical and involves regulnr close grazing during the first 6 months. Maintenance of white clover pastures involves annual inputs of fertiliser (P, S, K) with lime at …

Evaluation Of North Carolina Reactive Phosphate Rock As A Phosphorus Fertilizer For Permanent Pastures, A G. Sinclair, P D. Johnstone, L C. Smith, P W. Shannon, M B. O'Connor, L Nguyen, W H. Risk

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

North Carolina phosphate rock (NCPR) was compared with triple superphosphate (TSP) as a phosphorus (P) fertiliser for permanent grass-clover pastures over a period of 6 years at 12 sites located throughout New Zealand. Pasture production was measured by mowing, and herbage P concentrations were measured on all harvests at 2 sites. In year 1, averaged over all sites, 1 unit of P in NCPR produced the same DM response as 0.24 units of Pin TSP (substitution value=0.24). In year 6 the mean substitution value was 0.80, and over the 6-year period it was 0.60. The site with highest pH (6.3) …

Defining Economically Optimal Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates For Permanent Grass-Clover Pastures In Spain And New Zealand, A G. Sinclair, M Rodriguez Julia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Economically optimal annual fertiliser phosphorus Prates for maintaining permanent pastures are calculated from a long-term maintenance response curve along with fertiliser price and pasture value. Parameters of the response curve are derived from nutrient balance considerations. The system provides a logical basis for maintenance P fertiliser policies, and results are in accord with limited experimental data.

Salinity Tolerance Of Turf And Forage Grasses, R C. Mckenzie, H G. Najda, J R. King

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There are over 1.2 million ha of cultivated saline land in the province of Alberta, Canada. Our experiment's objectives were to develop reliable recommendations under field conditions of the salinity tolerance of various grasses. Information on how salinity levels influence the growth of grasses under field conditions would provide better management options for forage production. An irrigated site was established at Brooks and a dryland site at Hanna, Alberta. Twenty-five species are being evaluated under irrigation and I 9 under dry land using a randomised block design, Forage yields indicate that tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia pontica), Dahurian wildrye (Elymus …

Dynamics And Interactions Of Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus And Sulphur Cycling In Grazed Pasture, A K. Metherell, C V. Cole, W J. Parton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There are close links between the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus {P) and sulphur (S) cycles. This is especially evident in legume-based pasture in which ahe application of P and S fertilisers are required to achieve saaisfactory levels of N2 fixation and pasture production The dynamics of the nutrient cycles are controlled largely by the rates of pasture production and consumption, and by the rate of decomposition of organic matter. The CENTURY soil organic matter model integrates climate, soil and management driving variables to predict C, N, P and S dynamics. Simulated effecls of P and S fertiliser on nutrient …

A Feed Production System Utilizing Steep Grasslands And Eutrophic Hydro-Environments In Japan, K Kabata, C Okamoto, P Lowilai, M Kikuchi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

One important landscape feature of Japanese grassland is the presence of much steep hill country. Precipitation is high in these areas. Soil nutrients are washed away into hydro-environments such as rivers, lakes and oceans. Waler pollution, especially eutrophication, has become a serious world-wide problem in recent years. In the feed production system of steep grasslands, it is suggested that a mixed pasture system is useful in promoting annual plant production in steep mountainous lands of the Aso area of Japan. Furthermore, the cultivation of water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes) in eutrophicated waters, in order lo remove the nutrient elements …

Recent Considerations Of Grassland "Soil Quality" In Temperate Regions, S P. Mcgrath, S C. Jarvis

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The term "soil quality" is increasingly being used in Europe, albeit in an ill-defined way. Perceived quality depends critically on the use being made of the soil and the tolerance of other parts of the environment to substances moving from soils. This paper focuses on issues relevant to the maintenance of quality in temperate grassland soils. Soils are under threat from heavy metals, organic contaminants and radionuclides because they are sinks for many of these substances, thus lending to accumulation. The impact of these contaminants is assessed, along with the management options and relevant legislation to minimise their effects. Most …

Soil Characteristics And Elemental Cycling In Temperature Grasslands: Are Landscape Dynamics Controlled By Microsite Conditions?, W B. Mcgill, R A. Brijber, R A. Janzen, J F. Dormaar, R.J K. Myers

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Temperate grasslands are treated as dynamic systems, and are examined here with regard to processes and mechanisms controlling their dynamics. Recent literature dealing with grassland nutrient cycling as driven by interactions among soil organisms, regulated by soil architecture, and augmented by management is examined and evaluated. Emphasis is given to root-soil interactions, including those involving mycorrhizal associations. The challenge is also presented to move beyond the biomass, to discern activities and dynamics of individual soil microbial populations and changes in soil communities as indicators of soil quality and stress on grassland soil-plant systems. Decomposition is fundamental lo nutrient dynamics. From …

Carcinogenicity Of Bracken Fern (Pteridium Spp.) In Relationship To Grazing Ruminants, B L. Smith, D R. Lauren, P P. Embling, M Agnew

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bracken fern (Pteridium spp.) is the only higher plant which has been shown to cause cancer naturally in animals. Bracken contains ptaquiloside (Pta) a known clastogen and mutagen which is believed to be the major carcinogen involved in the urinary bladder neoplasia. In New Zealand, bracken fern from an area where bovine enzootic haematuria occurs has been shown to have much higher concentrations of Pia than an area where the disease has not been identified. The difference was shown to be related to the bracken rather than the environment and was widespread for the plants in the two areas …

Biological Control Of A Toxigenic Pithomyces Chartarum Strain With A P. Chartarum Strain That Does Not Produce Sporidesmin, R G. Collin, N R. Towers

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pitlromyces clrartamm strain WLI0, a high-sporing sporidesmin­producing strain isolated in New Zealand, was grown in co-culture with Pillwmyces chartarttm 306, a high-sporing non-sporidesmin­producing strain isolated in South Africa, Growth on rabbit pellet agar plates demonstrated that competition occurred between the two strains and resulted in a significant decrease in total sporidesmin levels. This result shows that biological control of toxigenic Pithomyces is possible under laboratory conditions and raises the potential for similar control to occur under field conditions.

Effects Of Cultivar And Stage Of Growth Of Legumes On The Rate Of Digestion In Cow Rumen And Relative Potential For Reducing Bloat, S F. Ledgard, V R. Carruthers, B E. Marris, G J. Brier

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The disappearance of dry matter from herbage incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of fistulated dairy cows over 4 h (initial rate of digestion, IRD) was measured in order to assess the relative bloat potential of several legume species and cultivars. The IRD was least for the non­bloating Lotus pedunculatus and highest for Trifolium pratense and Medicago saliva, species known to cause bloat. The IRD of Trifolium repens cultivars was highest for Sabeda and least for Blanca, 6 other cultivars being intermediate and similar. These differences in IRD between cultivars indicates variation in bloat potential and the possibility of …

A Slow Release Intra-Ruminal Device For Protection Against Facial Eczema In Sheep, R Munday, E A. Fowke, A M. Thompson, C Wesselink, N R. Towers

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Facial eczema (FE) is a hepatogenous photosensitization disease of ruminants which causes severe losses in agricultural revenue in New Zealand. It is caused by sprophytic, a myotoxin produced by the saprophytic pastoral fungus Pilllomyces chartarum. Zinc (Zn) salts, given to animals before exposure to the toxin, protect against the harmful effects of sporidesmin. Large amounts of Zn are required and dosing must be continued, at regular intervals, throughout the period when animals are exposed to the fungus. While practicable for dairy cattle, these requirements preclude the routine use of Zn for FB prophylaxis in sheep. For these animals, a …

Effects Of Growth Stage And Grain Glucosinolates Content On Rapeseed Forage Feeding Value, Marc Ghesquiere, J C. Emile, R Traineau, R Giovanni, M Renard

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Castrated sheep on maintenance were fed in 2 consecutive years for 4 weeks with fresh summer-sowri rape (Brassica napus) forage. In spite of the energetic value at flowering stage (both by ill vitro or in vivo method) being lower than at the vegetative stage, it appeared to be quite good in comparison with the energetic value of grasses or legumes at flowering stage. We did not observe any difference linked with seed glucosinolates content.

Studies On Disappearance Of Nitrate In Forage Crops During Ensilage, T Masuko

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) containing large amounts of nitrate was ensiled in the laboratory silo in 5 experiments. Variations in (1) Exp l; additives (CaCO3, glucose and urea), (2) Exp 2; heavy or light consolidation, (3) Exp 3; length of chop (10 or 50 mm), (4) Exp 4; moisture level of material (86.9, 77. land 51.5%) and (5)Exp5; ensilage temperature (15, 28 and 35°C), were investigated. In Exp I, the silages with CaCO3 + glucose and glucose alone added at ensiling were good quality and the rate of nitrate disappearance wns 40.7% and 22.6% respectively. In Exp 2, …

Acremonium Coenophialum And Cultivar Effects On Tall Fescue Seedling Vigour And Stand Establishment, M Collins, D M. Tekorny, J C. Henning

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The fungal endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Garn) imparts tolerance to stresses, such as drought, to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). We conducted 3 field trials to study endophyte, seed vigour and cultivar effects on tall fescue emergence. Seven seedlots of Kentucky 31 (KY31) and 5 seedlots of Johnstone with acceptable germination, but variable vigour, were seeded at 17, 22 and 28 kg/ha at 3 dates. Increased seeding rate consistently increased seedling number. Johnstone seedlots were endophyte-free, while 5 of the 7 KY3 l seedlots were infected. Low-vigour Johnstone had fewer seedlings than low-vigour KY3 I; however, there was …

Effect Of Tiller Endophyte Infection Frequency And Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Of Tall Fescue On Steer Performance Over Nine Seasons Of Grazing, J A. Stuedemann, S R. Wilkinson, D P. Belesky, F N. Thompson, D L. Breedlove, D M. Hildreth, H Ciordia, A H. Parks, C S. Hoveland, J Huang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acremonium coenopliialium-infected tall fescue (Festuca arrundinacea Schreb.) is associated with animal health problems including reduced ,veight gains. Twelve 0.7 ha paddocks were used to study Kentucky- 31 tall fescue at low (LE=25%) or high (HE::58%) tiller endophyte (E) infection frequencies and fertilised with either 134 (LN) or 336, kg nitrogen/ha/year (HN) in a 22 factorial arrangement of treatments. Yearling Angus steers grazed under put-and-take management from April or May through late July or early August in each of nine years. In all except one year, ADG was lower (P<0.0769 to P<0.0018) on HE than LE. In 4 of 9 years, HN lowered (P<0.0821 to P<0.0003) ADG compared to LN. In only 2 of 9 years was there an NxE interaction (P<0,0537), the interactions expressing opposite effects when comparing the 2 years. In all but 3 years there was a linear (P<0.0606 to P<0.0019) relationship between endophyte infection rate and ADG. In only 1 of 9 years were quadratic effects significant (P<0.0407). Endophyte infestation consistently lowered steer AOG in a linear fashion with N effects less distinct,