A summary of research results on pasture production responses to fertiliser and lime in the South Island hill and high country

Abstract

Early research found that sulphur (S) alone was required on less weathered Semi-Arid and Pallic soils, but S and phosphorus (P) were required on more weathered and leached Brown soils. Sulphur was needed for legume growth before a response to P was measured on most soils, leading to the development of sulphur fortified superphosphate products. Later research determined the most effective particle size of elemental S in relation to frequency of application. More recent research showed that nitrogen (N) fertiliser could enhance resident pasture growth and added S improved the response. Molybdenum (Mo) was found to be the only trace element lacking for pasture growth. More recent research has shown that using lime to alleviate soil aluminium (Al) toxicity on acidic soils has allowed legumes to better establish and persist. Current gaps in data include; responses to P and S from legumes on easy slopes and shady aspects, S and lime on Pallic and Semi-arid soils on shady aspects, P and S requirements of pure legume swards, N for legume establishment, management to break down thatch, soil injection of lime and the use of test strips to detect lack of Mo. Such information can aid farmers in their selection of legume species and fertiliser and lime requirements.