Seasonal response of Eragrostis curvula to nitrogen

Abstract

On the basis of the seasonal response of Eragrostis curvula to nitrogen applied as single dressings to separate plots at the beginning of each of the six months of the growing season, it is deduced that nitrogen can profitably be applied in the Ukulinga environment from early spring though to early January. Late summer and autumn applied nitrogen is inefficiently used by the pasture. Where autumn growth is required for late grazing, this can best be produced from the residual nitrogen of mid-summer nitrogen dressings.

Keywords: seasonalities|seasonal patterns|grasses|plants|nitrogen|responses|growing seasons|Ukulinga Research Farm|spring|pastures|autumn|grazing|urea|limestones|ammonium nitrate|nitrate|KwaZulu Natal Province