Independent replicated pasture trial conducted by Pasture First Research over the 2021–22 growing season. Five harvests were completed across six replicated plots per treatment. Results showed that EM products improved pasture productivity, increased clover content and enhanced root development. When combined with half-rate nitrogen, all three EM products produced dry matter yields equivalent to a full-rate nitrogen programme.
Key Findings
Pasture Production
All EMNZ products increased pasture dry matter production compared with the untreated control. The strongest results were achieved when EM products were combined with 40kg N/ha, producing total seasonal yields statistically equivalent to a full-rate 80kg N/ha nitrogen programme. Plant-Stim + 40kg N/ha produced 14,389 kg DM/ha, compared with 14,665 kg DM/ha from the full nitrogen treatment, demonstrating the potential to maintain pasture production while reducing synthetic nitrogen inputs.
Increased Clover Content
EM Soil & Crop and Plant-Stim significantly increased clover content throughout the trial. EM Soil & Crop increased clover counts from 69 plants/m² in the untreated pasture to 88 plants/m², while high nitrogen applications reduced clover content to 51 plants/m². Maintaining a strong clover population can improve pasture quality and support natural nitrogen fixation within the sward.
Enhanced Root Development
Plant-Stim produced the highest root mass measured in the trial, increasing root biomass from 149g in the untreated control to 211g, a 42% improvement. Stronger root systems can support improved nutrient uptake, drought resilience and long-term pasture persistence.
Key Findings
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Yield
Plant-Stim + 40kg N/ha produced 14,389 kg DM/ha, statistically equivalent to the 14,665 kg DM/ha achieved with a full-rate 80kg N/ha nitrogen programme.
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Root Development
EM Soil & Crop increased clover content from 69 to 88 plants/m², while high nitrogen applications reduced clover numbers to 51 plants/m².
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Root Development
Plant-Stim produced the highest root mass measured in the trial, +42% Root Mass
Statistical Analysis
The trial was conducted using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replicates per treatment and analysed using ANOVA with Least Significant Difference (LSD) testing at the 95% confidence level (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were detected for both total dry matter production and clover content, confirming that treatment responses were greater than normal field variation. The analysis showed that Plant-Stim + Urea, EM Soil & Crop + Urea and Fert Enhance + Urea achieved pasture production statistically equivalent to the full nitrogen programme while delivering additional pasture quality benefits.
Download the full trial report
Pasture Trial Report
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