Sampling methods for clover species in grazed pastures to diagnose mineral deficiencies

Author:

Olykan Sonya T.,Lucas Richard J.,Moot Derrick J.

Abstract

Diagnosis of clover nutrient status is important for legume-based pasture systems. The protocols for sample collection and setting of nutrient guidelines are ill-defined. This research quantified how nutrient concentrations differed between laminae (leaflets) and petioles (leaf stems) of subterranean (sub) clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and white clover (T. repens) as a first step in developing appropriate sampling procedures to examine the nutrient status of clover species. Field samples of sub and white clovers from three pasture sites in the Wairarapa and Canterbury were separated into lamina and full petiole and chemically analysed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S). Lamina + petiole K concentrations were lower in sub clover (2.3%) than white clover (3.2%). Across both species, the lamina concentrations of N (4.9%), P (0.36%) and S (0.28%) were higher than in the petiole (1.8%, 0.29% and 0.12% respectively) but the reverse was found for K (1.8 % lamina, 3.7% petiole). As a consequence, increasing the proportion of petiole added with the lamina affected the nutrient concentration of lamina + petiole samples so that N, P and S% declined but K% increased. In a subset of samples, NIR analysis found the crude protein of lamina + petiole in white clover was 24% compared with 21% in sub clover. Clover laminae of both species had 33% crude protein compared with only 11% in the petiole. The diagnosis of clover nutrient status for fertiliser recommendations should be based on lamina-only samples. In contrast, mixed pasture samples for nutritive value analysis should include clover laminae and petioles, plus grass and herb pasture components, to simulate grazing intake by livestock. The lack of defined sampling protocols may explain some of the difficulties previously reported in herbage nutrient interpretation and reconciling soil test results.

Publisher

New Zealand Grassland Association

Subject

Nature and Landscape Conservation,Plant Science,Soil Science,Agronomy and Crop Science,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Reference22 articles.

1. Cornforth IS, Sinclair AG. 1984. Fertiliser and Lime Recommendations for Pastures and Crops in New Zealand. 2nd ed. Agricultural Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, New Zealand, 76 p.

2. Costello T, Costello A. 2003. Subterranean clover in North Canterbury sheep pastures. Presented at: Legumes for dryland pastures: proceedings of a New Zealand Grassland Association (Inc.) Symposium. Lincoln University. Pp. 189-192.

3. Cox JE. 1978. Soils and agriculture of part Paparua County, Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Soil Bureau Bulletin 34. DSIR, Wellington.

4. Edmeades DC, Thorrold BS, Roberts AHC. 2005. The diagnosis and correction of sulphur deficiency and the management of sulphur requirements in New Zealand pastures: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45: 1205-1223.

5. Gillingham AG, Gray MH, Smith DR. 1998. Pasture responses to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilisers on dry hill country. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 60: 135-140.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3