I. Nutrient status of soil and pasture

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Abstract
The irrigated area near [near Christchurch New Zealand] which at present totals 25 ha, is sown in ryegrass-clover pasture and grazed by sheep. At the average application rate of 840 mm/yr, the nutrients in the effluent supply the equivalent of 400 kg superphosphate/ha and 250 kg lime/ha annually. As a result, soil exchangeable Ca and available P levles are much higher on the effluent-treated area than on the adjacent conventionally irrigated area. However, levels of soil SO4-S are unchanged, reflecting the poor ability of the soil to retain sulfate applied in the effluent. The effluent-treated soil also has higher levels of organic C, total N, and exchangeable Na and Mg; pH values were also higher. Pasture production under effluent irrigation was 55% higher in the year measured than on the non-irrigated area and 27% higher than on the conventionally irrigated area. The effluent-treated pasture had a lower clover content, reflecting the input of N from the effluent. Chemical composition of the pasture was similar under effluent and conventional irrigation, except for higher levels of Na and No3-N, and lower levels of Ca and Mg, in the effluent-treated pasture.

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