A study of foliar leaching of lucerne

Abstract

The work reported here is an evaluation of leaching losses from Medicago sativa. Lucerne plants subjected to rain, dew or mist lose nutrients by leaching, the extent of nutrient loss being influenced by a number of factors, some of which are considered in the text.

In this work phosphorus and sulphur were chosen for study. Radioisotopes of these elements can be safely handled and easily and accurately detected in the laboratory; both elements are of major importance in plant nutrition; many New Zealand soils have limiting supplies of these elements and a knowledge of the part that leaching may play in plant-soil relationships would therefore be important.

Section 1 considers the physiological factors which may influence the magnitude of leaching.

Section 2 considers leaching from lucerne hay at varying stages of moisture loss and under the influence of smooth-roller hay conditioning.