Response of Lotus corniculatus to inoculation and pelleting on a range of Otago tussock grassland environments

Abstract

Results from oversowing experiments on a range of sites representative of undeveloped tussock gmssland environments have shown that nodulation failures can limit establishment of Lotus corniculutus (birdsfoot trefoil). The problem appears to be primarily associated with poor survival and multiplication of rhizobia on/in the soil after sowing. Increasing the inoculation level above that stipulated by the manufacturer improved seedling nodulation. The magnitude of this improvement in nodulation varied over the sites used. Establishment from commercially pelleted seed was consistently low, with ~20% of seedlings nodulated on most sites. Inoculation of L. corniculatus with commercial peat inoculant at a rate of at least 30 g peat per kg seed, compared with the rates specified by manufacturers of 6.4 - 19 g, is recommended. Gum arabic at 10% (w:v) shouldbeincorporatedin the slurry and the seed should be sown within one day of inoculation. Further research is required to identify more adapted strains of rhizobia to improve nodulation of oversown L. corniculatus. Keywords birdsfoot trefoil, establishment, Lotus corniculatm, nodulation, oversowing, rhizobia