Distribution of legume seed by aircraft in unploughable hill country

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Abstract
Distribution of a legume seeds mixture was assessed when 177 ha of hill country pasture were aerially oversown at DSIR' s Ballantrae research station in the southern end of the Ruahine Range during June 1974. Mean seed rate from 184 sampling points was 4.22 kg/ha, 55% of the prescribed seed rate. Twenty—two percent of seed traps received less than 1 kg/ha, 45% 1-5 kg/ha, 24% 5-10 kg/ha, and 9% more than 10 kg/ha. Percentage of traps receiving less than half the prescribed seed rate was similar to that obtained elsewhere in other experiments using fixed-wing aircraft. Legume species were distributed in proportions similar to those of the seed mixture. Some factors which could account for the difference between observed and expected seed rates are discussed, particularly the discrepancy between surface and map area in hill country, sampling frequency, and deposition of seed outside the trial area boundaries. Previous recommendations for separate aerial application of herbage seed and fertiliser are suggested.

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