Borax Deficiency In Northland Soil

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 2

Borax Deficiency In Northland Soil

CULMINATING a two-year survey of Northland soil types and their deficiencies by Mr C. F. Sutherland, of the Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the vital trace element lacking in most Northland soils has been discovered. By use of this element— borax—in amounts as low as 201 b to the acre, the productive potential of soil of the gumland type may be increased to such an extent that lands hitherto considered marginal will be within the economical production range.

It has been known for some, time that borax deficiency causes disease in root crops such as swedes, but only recently the use of this element was suggested for pasture. Samples of soil were sent to the head office of the department in Wellington where they were tested by the pot plant method, using mustard. The sample containing borax equivalent to 201 b per acre, produced four times the growth of other pots. Further pot experiments with rye and clover indicated on improved germination, quicker growth and higher yield from the boron treated soil.

growth with easily the best colour in the considerable stretch of country visible from the boundary of the farm. On one side of the dividing fence was a normal pasture which had received the usual fertiliser showing the yellow tint usually associated with gumland pasture in winter, but the borax-treated paddock stood out in a strong green with excellent growth. When inspected more closely the test pasture showed larger-leaved clover in a closer concentration than in the other pastures. VITAL IMPORTANCE

The paddock borders on the Wharekohe Rehabilitation Block which is being broken in from the virgin scrub gumland for ex-service settlers. The discovery of the effects of traces of borax on gumland pastures will be of vital importance to farmers on the newly-developed sections, as it is anticipated that the increased production per acre will be considerable. From the vantage point where the paddock was compared with the surrounding country large tracts of unoccupied gumland could be seen, indicating considerable possibilities for the district as this marginal land is brought in. In the light of the idle lands investigation being carried out in Northland by Federated Farmers, County Councils, and the Aid for Britain Committee this discovery may be the turning point in the development of certain types of land in the sub-pro-vince.

Such has been the success of the pot trials that the Department of Agriculture has decided to carry out field trials with borax. WHAREKOIIE TEST Advance information on the practical application of the discovery is available to Northland farmers, as a farmer in the Wharekohe block having asked Mr Sutherland for advice on topdressing his land, used borax with his fertiliser this season. He had previously been using the normal lime and superphosphate mixture with some slag on individual paddocks with some success. The pastures on this farm were considered to be as good as any on the block, which is typical gum country. This season borax was mixed with the lime in the annual topdressing on one paddock, which had been depleted by intensive hay-cropping, and had never carried good sole of grass at one end.

The least it will do will be to place the gumlands at the head of the soil types available in large tracts for settlement.

A control strip was left where only slag was used with no borax added. When inspected yesterday by Mr Sutherland and Mr V. Harrison, of the Soil Bureau and an Advocate reporter, the pasture was showing strong spring

Borax is not expensive, and no additional trouble is experienced with treating the soil as it can be included in the usual topdressing schedule.