I am looking for technical data and methodology to study old Setaria sphacelata cv. Narok pasture rejuvenating, mainly focusing on soil fertility and perennial weeds. The research is undergoing in a 10 years old setaria pasture, over a clayey soil with a low phosphorus level and a few natural species (Paspalum urvilley, Schizachirium paniculatum, Sporobolus indicus) and weeds like Eringium spp and Vernonia chamaedrys which pose strong competition to pasture.
Dear Eduardo
You need to start with a thorough soil testing regime. This will reveal the needs related to liming, micro and macronutrients. The testing should include analysis of any plow pan or constricted soil layers.
Under your condition it might be best to figure a optimal mixture and establish your pasture mix under a nurse crop of a winter cereal.
To improve the quality of your forage it would be important to stress a mixture of legumes and grasses adapted to your area. To remove all the limitation you might need to do some tillage to incorporate lime and or control perennial weeds.
If you provide a complete analysis of your soil and ideas on the position and adaptation I would gladly take a look and make my suggestions as a sounding board.
Sincerely, Paul Reed Hepperly
Dear Paul
Thank you so much for your answer.
Our soil testing included pH (5.7 to 6.1); P (mg.kg-1)=Bray Kurtz Nº 1 modified extratable phosporus (8.7); N-NH4 (mg.kg-1) (2.7); N-NO3 (mg.kg-1) (3.4)
Our work aim to recover and old Setaria narok pasture.
We have seen soil fertility as an important constraint, but here we do not have legumes adapted that perform well in a Setaria mixture.
Under the pH values obtained, we do not think in liming as a need for Setaria.
We are searching for a mix of practices (fertilization, tillage and/or herbicide) that let us enlarge the production stage of pasture.
Former research and practice say us the optimal time to establish this pasture is early to medium spring, thus, I think our nurse crop should be sorghum or corn. But any way we establish the pasture, weeds and soil fertility are real constraints from the second year pasture is established, and we need to deal with this circumstances designing practices to enlarge pasture production life.
Thank you again for your collaboration.
Sincerely, Eduardo Secanell
Dear Eduardo, Your Phosphorus level is low.
what about your soil organic matter, acidity and other essential nutrients?
Low phosphorus is an impediment for legumes which are nutritionally dense.
If you are interplanting for pasture you may want to get a fuller soil analysis
and I would suggest that annual Lespedeza might be well adapted for your condition. It tolerates a range of soils that many other legumes do not. It is an annual plant that reseeds itself and will improve animal nutrition of beasts on pasture substantially.
If you get a complete soil analysis send it along and I will be glad to give my insights.
Paul
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