Can we reverse the process of deterioration in a run down prairie grass pasture?

Abstract

An experiment was designed to determine whether aerating soil with a seed drill coulter, or improving soil fertility through nitrogen application, could reverse the deterioration of a 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass pasture. A simple model outlining the changes in yield components characteristic of pasture deterioration is proposed, against which the effects of the treatments have been compared. The aeration treatment accelerated deterioration, probably because the technique caused plant damage and/or soil compaction. However, autumn nitrogen application was successful in reversing the early stages of pasture deterioration by improving plant size through increased tiller size. Keywords Matua prairie grass, Bromus willdenowii Kunth, soil aeration, nitrogen, model, yield components