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Renovation of Tall Fescue Pasture with Lime-Pelleted Legume Seed¹

Lime pelleting of legume seed might protect Rhizobium and aid nodulation by providing a favorable microenvironment near developing seedling. The objective of this investigation was to determine if lime pelleting seed of selected forage legumes would aid renovation of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) pasture on an acid soil in Southern Illinois. This work was conducted on a Stoy silt loam soil classified as an Aquic Hapludalfs with a pH of 4.7. Seedbeds were prepared for oversowing legumes in tall fescue sod, by disking, and by chemical means plus disking. Seed treatments used were a) inoculation only and b) inoculation plus gum arable and lime pelleting. They were applied to each of three forage legumes, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). With limited exceptions, lime pelleting of legume seed did not enhance early stand of legume seedlings, plant height, or legume ground cover. Dry matter herbage yields of legumes were not increased significantly by seed pelleting; however, tall fescue growth was stimulated by the introduction of legumes into the sward. The yield from most legume renovation treatments exceeded that of grass alone.

Key Words: Calcium carbonate • Festuca arundinaceae • Medicago sativa • Trifolium pratense • Trifolium repens

² Associate professor and professor, respectively, Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale.

Received for publication February 25, 1977.