A.G. CAMERON¹ and B.J. ROSS²

¹Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Berrimah, Northern Territory
²Northern Territory Department of Mines and Energy, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract

A nutrient omission trial was set up on 3 established improved grass pastures in the Northern Territory to determine if the currently recommended fertiliser rates were adequate for pasture growth. At all sites, nitrogen was the overriding limiting nutrient. When nitrogen was applied, the only other nutrients limiting growth were phosphorus and molybdenum at 1 site each. This experiment confirmed most of the early fertiliser recommendations, but led to changes in others. A minimum rate of 100 kg/ha superphosphate per annum is now recommended on grass paddocks in the wetter areas of the Northern Territory. The application of molybdenum is recommended for pastures on Blain soils in the Douglas/Daly area.