Effects of Liming and Cultivation on the Establishment and Persistence of Rainfed Mediterranean Pastures

Abstract

SUMMARYThe influence of liming and method of cultivation on the dry matter yield, botanical composition and seedling density of a rainfed pasture grown in a Mediterranean environment from a commercial seed mixture based on subterranean clover was investigated. Liming resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in pasture dry matter yield. Yields were greater when the soil was scarified before sowing than when it was ploughed, and when the lime was spread after cultivation rather than before. Liming and scarifying increased the proportion of sown species (subterranean clover, white clover and tall fescue) and reduced the proportion of native species and bare ground. Subterranean clover seedling density was higher after scarifying than after ploughing.Uso de cal en pastos mediterráneos regados por precipitaciones