AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF PAKIHI SOILS ON THE WEST COAST

Abstract

Experimental results on development of pakihi soils are presented. Coating of inoculated white clover seed had no effect on establishment or initial growth. Liming had no effect on establishment but increased initial growth. The improved lotus cultivar G4703 outyielded white clover at low rates of lime and phosphate but firstyear dry matter yields were very low. The use of less soluble forms of potassium and phosphate on the low retention pakihi soils had no effect on dry matter yield. There W'BS a useful pasture yieid response up to 75 kg P/ha but the response diminished from 30 to 75 kg P/ha. Pasture yield responses to potassium occurred up to 175 kg K,/ha using the mowing and clippings returned measurement technique but only up to 25 kg K/ha where the response was measured under grazing. Elemental sulphur at 60 kg,/ha significantly increased pasture yield and restored a deteriorated pasture in one trial. A simple technique based on aerial oversowing has evolved for establishing pastures on pakihi soils. Given proper management, the resulting pastures are high-producing. The conversion of grass to beef and sheep products has been demonstrated on the Pakihi Demonstration Farm near Westport and by the Department of Lands and Survey, but dairying is yet to be tested. The economy of the West Coast will be considerably enhanced by progressive development of the pakihi soils.