Fertility studies on three red earth soils of the Daly Basin, Northern Territory

K. J. Day
Land Conservation Section, Animal Industry and Agricultural Branch, Department of the Northern Territory, Australia

This study forms part of the National Soil Fertility Project initiated by C.S.I.R.O. Division of Soils in 1967. The aim of this project was to determine which, of all the soil factors recognized in a soil profile, are those most closely related to plant production. Large areas of deep sandy and loamy red earths occur commonly in the Daly Basin. Land use on red earth soils in this region has primarily been grazing by beef cattle on mainly native pastures, with small areas of sown Townsville Stylo (Stylosanthes humilis) pastures and cash crops.