Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Fertilization with nitrogen and potassium on pastures in temperate areas
Author
Mosquera-Losada, María Rosa
González-Rodriguez, Antonio
Rigueiro-Rodríguez, Antonio
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2004-05-01
Body

Fertilizer application enable producers to influence pasture production. The effect of N fertilization on grass production and leguminous plant content of pasture and strategic N application has received much attention. Changing agricultural policies suggest that chemical fertilizer inputs may be diminished and that alternative sources of nutrients are desired. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N and K fertilization on production, botanical composition, and forage mineral composition to gain some insight into what influence changing fertilization practices would have on pasture productivity. Three K and 3 N application rates were applied in a factorial design on a white clover (Trifolium repens L.)—perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) sward. Potassium and nitrogen application increased herbage production and had differential influences on botanical composition. Nitrogen decreased clover content in the pasture, whereas K increased the proportion and production of white clover. The effects of K application appeared later in the experiment than those associated with N. We concluded that K is very important for development and maintenance of white clover in pasture, which increases herbage and protein production. Nitrogen was associated with lesser amounts of N, P, K, and Mg in pasture, because of lesser amounts of clover in the sward. Changing fertilization practices will have definite influences on sward composition and pasture productivity. Any interpretation of pasture mineral content should take botanical composition changes into account. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2111/1551-5028(2004)057[0280:FWNAPO]2.0.CO;2
Additional Information
Mosquera-Losada, M. R., González-Rodriguez, A., & Rodríguez, A. R. (2004). Fertilization with nitrogen and potassium on pastures in temperate areas. Journal of Range Management, 57(3), 280-290.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643537
Journal Volume
57
Journal Number
3
Journal Pages
280-290
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
clover
nutrients
botanical composition