Fertiliser and grazing rejuvenation of fescue tussock grassland

Abstract

Tussock density, height, and flowering frequency, vegetation composition, and soil chemistry were measured in a 9-year fertiliser trial without pasture seeding on hieracium-infested fescue-tussock grassland in New Zealand. A factorial of 3 superphosphate rates by 3 nitrogen fertiliser rates by 2 nitrogen types was applied in the first 3 years, and half the plots received a single grazing in the 5th year. Effects were small but continued to develop after fertilisation ceased. While a single grazing initially depressed tussock height it subsequently enhanced height. There were changes in relative species abundance in response to fertiliser. Soil P and S levels increased with superphosphate fertiliser but decreased with N fertiliser, probably reflecting uptake by the increased shoot biomass and litter. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.