Pastures for Florida


 1. One to 2 tons of calcic or dolomitic limestone per acre and 600
 pounds of an 0-14-10 fertilizer or its equivalent in phosphorus
 and potash; or
 S2. One ton of calcic or dolomitic limestone, 1 ton of rock or col-
 loidal phosphate and 250 pounds of an 0-8-24 fertilizer per acre
 or its equivalent in superphosphate and potash.
 'Lespedeza may be fertilized similarly to the clovers, but lighter
fertilizer applications are generally satisfactory:
 1. One ton of lime and 300 to 600 pounds of an 0-14-10 or its
 equivalent in phosphorus and potash; or
 2. One-half to 1 ton of lime and % ton of rock phosphate plus
 200 pounds of an 0-8-24 fertilizer or 100 pounds of muriate of
 potash per acre.
 When rock or colloidal phosphate is used for legumes it is
advisable to apply some superphosphate. In addition to readily
available phosphorus, the superphosphate supplies sulfur, which
appears deficient in some soils. Borax at the rate of 10 pounds
per acre also has proven beneficial for clovers on some soils.
 Nitrogen fertilizers are not required when the soil is fertilized
properly to grow legumes. The nodule bacteria on clover and
other legume roots fix nitrogen from the air. This fixed nitrogen
is utilized by the legumes and associated grasses (Fig. 13).
More detailed information for fertilizing clovers and lespedeza
is contained in Bulletins 351 and 375 of this Station.

 FOR HAMMOCK SOILS
 The lime and fertilizer requirements for starting grass, lespe-
deza and clover pastures on hammock soils are generally similar
to those for the flat pine and prairie soils. Rock and colloidal
phosphates are not recommended. Bahia and carpet grasses
generally sod on these soils without fertilization, but fertilization
improves the growth and quality of herbage.

 FOR SANDY AND MUCK SOILS UNDERLAID WITH LIME
 Muck soils underlaid with lime are high in calcium and nitro-
gen. The primary nutritive requirements are potassium, phos-
phorus, copper and manganese.
 Grasses and clovers to be planted on virgin muck soils respond
when treated with 300 to 600 pounds of an 0-12-16, 0-8-24 or
similar fertilizer and 20 to 50 pounds each of copper sulfate and
manganese sulfate per acre. Sandy soils underlaid with lime
should be treated with 400 pounds of a 4-8-8 or similar fertilizer
and 15 to 25 pounds of copper sulfate per acre. (For details see
Florida Station Bulletins 338 and 351.)