The response of trifolium africanum (ser.) var. glabellum and trifolium repens (L.) cv. Ladino to lime and fertilizer¹

Part of a‐thesis by the senior author to be submitted for an M.Sc. Agric, degree at the University of Natal.

Abstract

The results of a glasshouse trial show that Trifolium africanum var. glabellum has considerable potential for use in radical veld improvement. Trifolium africanum outyielded T. repens cv. Ladino in acid, P fixing soils (Farningham series). Both species produced significantly higher yields on Longlands than on Farningham soil series. The elimination of exchangeable Al from the soil, with lime, significantly increased the yield of both species. Lime significantly increased the ability of T. africanum to extract P from Farningham soil. This phenomenon was not noted for T. repens. Neither species responded to K treatments. The Ca content of T. africanum was more than twice that of T. repens when the soil was limed to eliminate exchangeable Al.

Uittreksel

Uit resultate verkry van ‘n glashuis proef is getoon dat Trifolium africanum var. glabellum potensiëel geskik is vir gebruik in radikale veldverbetering. Trifolium africanum het ‘n hoër opbrengs as T. repens cv. Ladino gehad in suur, P bindende gronde van die Farningham series. Albei spesies het betekenisvol höer opbrengste op ‘n Longlands as op ‘n Farningham grond series gehad. Die uitskakeling van uitruilbare Al uit die grond deur van ‘n kalk toediening gebruik te maak, het die opbrengste van beide spesies betekenisvol verhoog. Kalk toediening het die vermoë van T. africanum om P uit Farningham grond te onttrek betekenisvol verhoog. Hierdie verskynsel is nie by T. repens waargeneem nie. Nie een van die spesies het enige reaksie getoon op Kbehandelings nie. Die Ca. inhoud van T. africanum met ‘n kalk toediening om uitruilbare Al uit te skakel was meer as tweekeer hoër as die van T. repens.

Notes

Part of a‐thesis by the senior author to be submitted for an M.Sc. Agric, degree at the University of Natal.