A STUDY OF SOME FACTORS CAUSING MAT FORMATION OF RESEEDED HILL PASTURE SWARDS

A comparison of non-mat and mat ecotypes of three reseeded hill swards showed that mat pasture soil was characterized by relatively high C/N ratios, low available nutrient status, low burrowing earthworm biomass, and low soil microbial activity (determined as CO₂ evolution).
A replicated trial was laid out on a uniform mat area of one of these swards (Ciderhouse Hill) and lime and fertilizer treatments were applied in two successive seasons. Lime treatment reduced mat weight, increased the proportion of 'sown' grasses in the sward and stimulated soil microbial activity, Initially, burrowing earthworm biomass was inhibited by lime; but, after an interval of four years, a positive response was noted at the lower treatment level. Sodium nitrate interacted with lime to increase soil microbial activity. Soil cellulolytic activity was increased by nitrate and phosphate treatments. The level of soil moisture in the field at the time of soil sampling appeared to influence soil microbial activity measured under standard conditions in the laboratory: high rainfall tended to reduce microbial activity. The significance of these findings and the infiuence of nutritional and climatic factors on sward reversion and mat formation are discussed.