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Effect of N-P-K fertilization on yield and tiller density of creeping bluestem
Author
Kalmbacher, R. S.
Martin, F. G.
Rechcigl, J. E.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1993-09-01
Body

Forage quality and quantity from palatable grasses, like creeping bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash var. polycladus (Schriber & Ball) Bruner (Syn S. stoloniferum Nash.)], are limited, especially in winter when cows graze Florida range. We anticipated that N fertilizer (0, 40, 60, 120 kg ha-1), P (0, 25 kg ha-1) and K (0, 100 kg ha-1) would increase bluestem yield, tiller density, and forage quality. Within sample dates yield and tiller density increased linearly with N rate. For example 31 days after fertilization, intercepts for equations predicting yield were 319 kg ha-1 and 124 m-2 with coefficients of 1.2 and 0.29, respectively, where the independent variable is N rate. Over sample dates yield responses to N rate were quadratic and tiller densities were cubic. Reproductive tiller density was increased by N fertilization (1989 tiller density, nom-2, = 30 + 0.29N). Neither yield nor tiller density was affected by P fertilizer, but K fertilizer increased reproductive tiller density, hence fall yield. After 3 years of fertilization, N had negative quadratic and negative linear effects on yield and tiller density, respectively. Tissue N concentration in the fall was reduced with N fertilization because of increases in reproductive growth (1988 calendar 145 days postfertilization, g kg-1 = 5.7 - 0.041 N + 0.00031 N2). Fertilization of creeping bluestem is not a recommended practice when bluestem is to be grazed in fall and winter. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. 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)
10.2307/4002666
Additional Information
Kalmbacher, R. S., Martin, F. G., & Rechcigl, J. E. (1993). Effect of NPK fertilization on yield and tiller density of creeping bluestem. Journal of Range Management, 46(5), 452-457.
ISSN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/644540
Journal Volume
46
Journal Number
5
Journal Pages
452-457
Collection
Rangeland Ecology & Management (REM)
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
Schizachyrium scoparium
yields
Florida
tillers
nitrogen content