PASTURE PLANT, WATER-TABLE INTERACTIONS ON MANAWATU SANDY COUNTRY

Abstract

Movements of a water-table (WT) underlying a site in the Manawatu sand country were measured over 18 months and related to soil moisture levels and pasture performance across a soil toposequence. The WT made an effective contribution to plant growth in summer only when in contact with the topsoil. Stabilizing WT levels by drainage and outlet control appears to offer the best approach to increased plant utilization of the WT on the more elevated soils.