TOP-DRESSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3949, 30 May 1929, Page 1

TOP-DRESSING.

I'SE OF SUPER PTTOSPTT ATE

In ii reeen| discussion on the \ n Ino of top-dressing, Mr. J. .1. I’aseoc, ngrienlLural adviser fo the Vicitorian Kevti laser Association, and honorary organiser to the C’hanihers of Agriculture in Victoria, in which capacity lie conducts a large number of experimental lop-dressing' plots, referred If I lie effect which Ihe application of superphosphate has upon plant growth. lie said that at the Wagga Stale Kami Mew South Wales, four years ago a. test was carried out to determine the depth of' root peneI ration in eases where super was used and where if was not used. The same variety of wheat was so'wn, the land prepared in a similar \vny x and the seed was sown at the same time. Tl was found that where lewt. of super was used the i-oi** 2>cnelTa:teil several inches more than whore no super was used. Super, by causing deeper rooting, gave the plants a larger reservoir to draw upon for moisture. This, in .top-dressing, enabled the grasses and clovers to survive Inter than on country where no super was applied, and where, as r t eonsec|uenee, rooting was not so deep. So far as cropping was concerned. the fact that super induced deeper .rooting made it the handmaiden of fallowing.