Chemical characteristics and phosphorus fertility of selected North Canterbury hill country soils : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Agriculture Science

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the chemical characteristics and phosphorus (P) chemistry of the selected North Canterbury hill Country soils developed from different parent materials and to assess the agronomic of two contrasting P fertilisers (superphosphate and North Carolina phosphate rock) applied to the soils (0-20cm) in a glasshouse pot trial.The four selected soils Onepunga, Huihui, Timpendean, Waikari) were described and sample under improved pasture which had received minimal inputs of fertilisers. Detailed chemical analyses of samples from profiles highlighted differences in the respective parent materials: Waikari (limestone), Timpendean (glauconite sandstone), Huihui (calcareous sandstone), and Onepunga (quartz sandstone).