Interaction of lime and seed pelleting on the nodulation and growth of white clover

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Abstract
The interactions of lime, seed pelleting, and inoculation level were investigated on white clover (Trifolium repens) growing on a range of soils in the glasshouse. In the absence of seed pelleting, the addition of 2500 kg/ha of lime markedly increased the growth of clover on soils of low pH (4.7–5.0). The same effect was produced in the absence of lime by pclleting the seed (with lime or Gafsa-phosphate + dolomite). The increase m plant growth from lime or pelleting accompanied an increase in nodulation on one soil (pH 4.9) where nodulation was investigated. Lime or pelleting increased both crown (within 1 cm of soil surface) and distal (remainder) nodules. On soils of pH 5.3–5.5, lime and pelleting effects were variable and less marked than al lower pH. Pelleting either had no effect or increased clover growth, whereas the effect of lime ranged from depression to enhancement. At pH 6.2, both lime and pelleting depressed growth. On two soils (pH 5.0 and 5.4), increasing the inoculation level from 2 × 103 to 2 × 104 rhizobia per seed markedly increased the growth of clover in the absence of lime and pelleting. On one of these soils (pH 5.4), increasing the inoculation level replaced the requirement for lime or pelleting for maximum plant growth. There were no significant differences between lime and Gafsa-phosphate + dolomite as peileting materials.