PASTURE RESEARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3867, 24 April 1928, Page 14

PASTURE RESEARCH.

RESULTS OF TWO-YEAR PLOTS.

The comprehensive co-operative topdressing trials which have been the feature of the local Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture’s work this season

really had their origin in three plots laid down in South Otago in the 1926 27 season. When the larger project was launched in 1927-23 Mr R. B. Tennent decided to con tinne with the original three also. They were, therefore, this season, and have proved very successful in respect to the information available concerning the residual effects of the various fertilisers used. It is intended to carry these plo’s over a further period of years to ascertain the lasting effects 1 of the treatments given. . - ■■

Since those trials have now been in operation separate results had to bo prepared and ths following tables givo the results for the two seasons. An interesting point in the figures is the fact that on the farm of Mr D. Smollett, basic slag gave the highest yields for both seasons. This is in marked contrast to the _ general experience throughout Otago this yew' sui>erphosphatc having been easily the mosr. effective fertiliser applied. On the other two plots in this trio super has proved the most effective over two years. The results areas follows, the quantities of hay from each plot being given for the two seasons:— ,• Mr D. Smollett, Awamangu.

192627. Tons cwt. or. 1927-23 Tons cwt. qr. Basic slag 2 11 1 3 10 3 Basic slag and lime 2 12 0 3 12 1 Super 1 15 0 3 0 1 Super and l.me 1 16 2 3 2 Lime ... 1 16 0 3 6~ 3 No manure 1 14 0 2 16 C Mr I. D. Revie, Crookston. Basic slag 1 10 3 1 5 2 Basic slag and limo 1 8 1 1 0 1 Super ... _. 1 16 1 1 10 0 Super and limo 1 16 0 1 8 2 Lime . . 1 7 3 0 19 1 No manure 1 8 2 0 18 2 Mr W. N. Lusk, Crookston. Basic slag ... ... 1 2 3 2_ 2 1 Basic slag and lime 1 1 2 1 16 3 Super .... Super and lime Lime 1 1 1 6 6 1 2 1 3 2 2 1 6 0 16 i 0 No manure U 2 3 1 16 6