Sulphur fertilising of a well-established pasture on a northern yellow-brown earth

Abstract

Sulphur was applied to a well established, temperate species pasture on Mahurangi clay for 5 years. The continuously-mown, small-plot trial was fenced from livestock and received sulphur applications in combinations of forms (gypsum or elemental sulphur), in spring and autumm, and at rates up to 90 kg sulphur/ha. Pasture yields were significantly increased by sulphur use only during September-January, but responses were small, averaging 6% of the control plot mean yields of 4 920 kg dry matter/ha over this period. Sulphur removal from depletion plots averaged 25 kg sulphur/ha per year, and did not decline as the trial progressed. During the trial, sulphur content in dried herbage did not fall below 0.2% in the depletion plots or in the control plots to which clippings had been returned. Analysis of rain-water indicated an atmospheric input of 15 kg sulphur/ha per year. This accession may have been sufficient to reduce the pasture growth response; a subsidiary glasshouse trial which showed a strong response to sulphur supports this suggestion.

Keywords:

• sulphur
• fertilisers
• gypsum
• elemental sulphur
• yellow-brown earth
• pasture production
• soils

Additional information

Notes on contributors

E. N. Honore

Now retired.