SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22595, 28 December 1938, Page 7

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER

LIME ON LIGHT LANDS LINCOLN COLLEGE RESULTS

The early recommendations in . connexion with the establishment of subterranean clover on the light lands of Canterbury were based on the results of Australian experiences. Under Canterbury conditions it had actually been found that superphosphate applied each autumn was a practice which gave good results. Last year numerous inquiries were made as to the advantages of lime, but in the absence of any experimental data it was not possible to give any definite answer.

In order to secure information on the reaction of subterranean clover to various fertiliser treatments, the college established some trials on their light land farm at Ashley Dene in February, 1938. These trials are being financed under a grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and will be conducted over a number of years.

Already results likely to be of extreme importance to those growing subterranean clover on the light plains land have been secured. One of the trials involved eight different fertiliser treatments. The fertilisers were applied in February, 1938. In September, 1938, i.e., about eight months after treatment. striking differences were noticeable between the plots which received lime and those without lime. The subterranean clover had larger leaves, was darker in colour, and more prolific on all plots receiving lime. On this light country a relatively small dressing ot scwt produced almost as good an effect as a heavy dressing of 1 ton.

As a result of this trial it is recommended that all growers of subterranean clover on Vne ItgW, plains land should try an application of at least scwt of lime on at least a limited area this autumn.

At this stage it cannot be stated whether this small application of lime will need to be repeated at yearly or longer intervals, but the college staff feel confident in recommending an initial application of scwt of lime with the autumn application of super. It may ultimately be proved that scwt of lime and lewt of super in alternate years is an economical treatment for the light dry plains land.

These and other points in connexion with the use of lime are to be investigated in additional and more extensive trials which will be established this autumn.