Sulphur, phosphate, and molybdenum coating of legume seed

Abstract

The development of additional S, P, and Mo coating on rhizobia-coated legume seed for sowing in tussock grassland is described. The main response was to additional S, as elemental S, which approximately doubled establishment in coatings of 50–100% increase relative to bare seed weight. The effect was greater when seed was sown into existing vegetation than into cultivated soil, and on brown-grey soils. Response to phosphates was smaller and less consistent with coatings of 50–100%, and Calciphos and reverted superphosphate were better than Gafsa phosphate. Responses to types or levels of Mo were generally not significant. Manufacturing problems are discussed.