EFFECTS OF LIMING AND CULTIVATION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT AND PERSISTENCE OF RAIN-FED MEDITERRANEAN PASTURES

The influence of liming and method of cultivation on the dry matter yi eld, botanical composition and seedling density of a rainfed pasture g rown in a Mediterranean environment from a commercial seed mixture bas ed on subterranean clover was investigated. Liming resulted in a 2.5-f old increase in pasture dry matter yield. Yields were greater when the soil was sacrified before sowing than when it was ploughed, and when the lime was spread after cultivation rather than before. Liming and s acrifying increased the proportion of sown species (subterranean clove r, white clover and tall fescue) and reduced the proportion of native species and bare ground. Subterranean clover seedling density was high er after scarifying than after ploughing.