SIMULATED SOIL PROFILES AS A PLANT SCREENING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

A novel, simple technique for screening plants using simulated hill soil protiles is described. Three large bins were constructed and a soil profile built up in each using layers of hill subsoil and topsoil compacted to field bulk density. 2100 ryegrass plants were transplanted at 5 cm spacing in each ot the three bins. This technique has enabled controlled manipulation of soil fertility, development of simulated pure ward conditions and identification of individual plants. It has been used successfully to screen the hill ryegrass collection held at Whatawhata Research Centre for response to nitrogen and drought. Keywords: hill soils, ryegrass. nitrogen, drought, plant screening, soil profiles