Studies on the Growth of Grasses and Legumes on the Volcanic Ash Soil newly brought under Cultivation

Abstract

As a part of studies on the mechanical method in grassland establishment, we deal with the growth of grasses and legumes on newly reclaimed soil. The soil of the present experiment was volcanic ash soil in Kamikita region, Aomori Prefecture. 1. When the field was remained to be unfertilized, the growth of the grasses and. legumes was very poor even on the humus-rich surface soil. 2. Ladino clover showed normal growth on the subsoil if it was treated with lime and P fertilizers, and the growth of Orchardgrass and Kentucky 31 fescue was also normal on the subsoil if it was treated with N, P and K fertilizers. 3. When all of the above fertilizers were applied to obtain a target yield of which. the total fresh matter weight was 6, 000kg/10a, the actual results on sub and surface: soil were 9400 and 11200kg respectively. 4. Humus content showed significant increase in subsoil after grasses and legumes grew vigorously. 5. From these experimental results, it was concluded that the target yield of grasses and legumes could be easily obtained by the ordinary fertilization levels even in the exposed subsoil after mechanical clearing.