Variations in soil moisture content, nutrient levels, and temperature were measured for a range of micro-sites located on a steep, northfacing hillside. Species distribution and plant responses to changing moisture conditions and different grazing treatments were related to these physical conditions. Soil nutrient levels (organic carbon; total, inorganic, and mineralised nitrogen; Olsen phosphorus; potassium) were highest in camp/old track areas reflecting nutrient transfer by grazing animals. Variation in nutrient level between other flat and sloping areas was low. Soil moisture holding capacities were similar for most areas, but sloping areas were consistently drier in the surface horizon (0-50 mm) because of less effective rewetting compared with flatter areas. Maximum soil surface temperatures of 45-50°C were reached on clear days where low pasture cover existed on sloping areas. The effects of grazing treatments on ryegrass and browntop tiller number, white clover leaf number, and seedling establishment were similar across a wide range of micro-sites. However, pasture species content varied between micro-sites: ryegrass was dominant on camps and tracks; brown top increased with steepness of slope; white clover peaked on rolling and easy sloping areas; grass seedlings were most numerous on camps and tracks; and legume seedlings were most numerous on steeper slopes. Pasture type would appear to be determined more by nutrient fluxes (e.g., mineralisation rate, excreta return) and summer rewetting of the soil surface than by nutrient pool size and inherent water-holding capacity of the soil.
Species composition of pasture located on a steep (32°), NW-facing hillside was measured for 3 years under contrasting treatments: hard or lax grazing during November-January (pre-dry); hard grazing or spelling during January-March (dry); and hard grazing, lax grazing, or spelling during March-April (post-dry). Measurements included growth unit (tiller, stolon, crown) density,
A 4-year lime rate trial was established on a hill country sheep and cattle property near Te Akau to determine lime effects on pasture utilisation. Four rates of lime were applied (1.25 t/ha, 2.5 t/ha, 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha) to 2 m × 2 m plots, from which soil Al, Ca and pH, pasture grazing heights, dry matter production, pasture species composition, feed quality and brix levels were measured. Lime application reduced soil Al (14.6 to 1.1 mg/kg), and increased Ca and pH (5.0 to 6.2) over time in the highest application rate. Dry matter production responded to all rates of lime in each year, and by the fourth year it was 27% greater (1.25 t/ha treatment), 35% greater (2.5 t/ha treatment), 69% greater (5 t/ha treatment), and 97% greater (10 t/ha treatment) than in the un-limed plots. Ryegrass and subterranean clover content increased with lime rate, whereas chewings fescue and dicot weed content declined. There were no sustained differences in pasture grazing heights, feed quality or brix levels between the control and rates of lime. On this site, all rates of lime were economic to apply by truck or plane when the benefits were spread over 4 years, with the greatest cost-benefit from thelower rates of lime.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.