J.G. MCIVOR¹, M.E. PROBERT², C.J. GARDENER¹and F.W.N. SMITH³

¹CSIRO, Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, Davies Laboratory, PMB, P.O. Aitkenvale, Qld. 4814.
²CSIRO, Division of Soils, Cunningham Laboratory, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld. 4067.
³CSIRO, Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, Cunningham Laboratory, 306 Carmody Road, St Lucia, Qld. 4067.

Abstract

Pot and field experiments were conducted to determine the nutrient requirements of Stylosanthes hamata growing on a euchrozem near Charters Towers in the semi-arid tropics of north-eastern Queensland. In pot experiments, significant responses were obtained to sulphur, phosphorus and copper; there was also a significant lime × sulphur interaction. However in the field, there was a significant response to sulphur only. The yield responses to sulphur applied in previous years suggest a considerable residual value for applied sulphur on this soil.
Due to their adequate phosphorus status, high residual sulphur values, and absence of other nutrient deficiencies, the euchrozems offer better prospects for legume development than most of the soils in the region.