The Development of Surface Seeding

The results from 10 years of grassland research at the Peatland Experimental Station, Glenamoy, are summarized. Grass and legume species were introduced by surface seeding, without cultivation or by direct seeding after rotavation, depending on the specific situation. The rate of establishment was dependent on pretreatment and the management of grazing animals before and after sowing. The most suitable species were Trifolium repens, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, Festuca rubra and Holcus lanatus.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grassland Research on Blanket Peat in Ireland

O'toole¹

1968

“…Pasture improvement in hill areas is frequently achieved by oversowing productive species of grasses and legumes into the existing vegetational mat (Gardner et at., 1955, Copeman andRoberts, 1960;Newbould, 1974). The objective of such schemes fs to produce swards capable of providing high-quality herbage supported entirely by biologically fixed N. Hill soils typically contain very low levels of available N and although a flush of mineralization may occur following liming and the addition of P, K and micronutrients (Ivarson, 1977) it is customary to apply a starter dressing of N into the seedbed to provide the sown species with N until biologically fixed N becomes available to the system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objective of such schemes fs to produce swards capable of providing high-quality herbage supported entirely by biologically fixed N. Hill soils typically contain very low levels of available N and although a flush of mineralization may occur following liming and the addition of P, K and micronutrients (Ivarson, 1977) it is customary to apply a starter dressing of N into the seedbed to provide the sown species with N until biologically fixed N becomes available to the system. Because of the high cost of fertilizer N and the vulnerability of the clover/rhizobium symbiosis to high levels of ammonium or nitrate in the soil, starter dressings are usually in the region of 20-60 kg ha-' N and are applied as a single dressing at sowing (Copeman and Roberts, 1960;Reith and Robertson, 1971;East of Scotland College of Agriculture, 1977;North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 1978). Munro et al (1973), however. recommend 100 kg ha-' N in the establishment year with annual maintenance dressings of 40-60 kg ha-' N and at Pwllpeiran EHF (ADAS, 1977) 120 kg ha-' N is routinely applied to hill reseeds at sowing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of rates and times of application of starter dressings of nitrogen fertilizer to surface sown perennial ryegrass‐white clover on hill peat

Haystead¹,

Marriott²

1979

The effects on clover and grass growth of five levels of ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) applied before sowing, at sowing and after nodule initiation have been investigated. A pot experiment in which SI84 white clover was grown in a peat soil showed that NH4-N up to 688 mg N per pot (approx. equivalent to a field rate of 120 kg ha~' N) applied before sowing and at sowing did not affect clover growth. N-fixing activity (C2H2reduction), on the other hand, was reduced progressively up to the highest level (688 mg N per pot). Application after nodule initiation increased growth relative to the zero-N treatment at all levels of application. Maximum growth and N fixation occurred at 516 mg N per pot where the DM yield was 70% higher than in the absence of added N. A field trial in which SI84 clover and S24 perennial ryegrass were surface sown on to a peat soil showed an increase in grass and clover growth in the first year in response to 120 kg ha ~' N applied at sowing. Grass growth alone was increased at 120 kg ha"' N applied 40 d before sowing. Lower rates of application before sowing and at sowing did not affect clover or grass growth. The effect of the delayed application of NH4-N on legume growth was less marked than that in the pot experiment, 90 kg ha~' N stimulating clover growth by 40% in the first year. The effect was however different from that in the pot experiment, in that, whilst 30 kg ha"' N increased N fixation relative to the zero-N treatment, plants exposed to higher levels showed a depression in

“…The principles of surface seeding, and their apphcation to hill-land conditions in the north of Scotland, have been described by Copeman and Roberts (1). Prior to sowing the seeds mixture, it is general practice to apply up to 3 tons per acre of ground limestone, or its equivalent as shell sand, together with about 150 to 180 lb.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Delayed Application of Nitrogen for the Establishment of Surface‐seeded Swards

Roberts¹

1960

Self Cite

It has been observed that, where surface seeding has been attempted, disappointing results occur on some sites due to delays in sowing the seeds mixture after lime and fertilizer applications have been made.An experiment is described in which the time of application of nitrogen, in relation to the establishment and development of S24 and S23 perennial ryegrass seedlings in pots, was varied. The results of trials on this aspect of surface seeding, under conditions experienced in the north of Scotland, are also given.More efficient utilization of nitrogen was obtained when applications were delayed until the seedlings had developed sufficiently to utilize the applied nitrogen. This delay enhanced the establishment of sown grasses under conditions where natural species, capable of responding to applied nitrogen, were present.Where surface seeding is undertaken, consideration should be given to delaying the application of nitrogen until the sown seeds have brairded.