Influence of phosphatic fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of grass pasture.

Abstract

While the distribution of P fertilizer had an insignificant influence on the DM production of a grass pasture over a three-year period, the level of both N and P was highly significant. Growth patterns were unaffected by any of the fertilizer treatments and would appear to be determined primarily by environmental and genetic factors. With respect to crude protein and phosphorus content of the herbage this was determined primarily by the level of N and P fertilization, although the distribution of P in split applications tended to improve P content in the late summer.

Keywords: chemical composition; crude protein content; fertilization; grasses; growth patterns; herbage; nitrogen fertilization; north-eastern sandy highveld; phosphorus content; south africa; split applications