Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization of rangelands affects yield, forage quality and the botanical composition

Aydin I., Uzun F.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY, cilt.23, sa.1, ss.8-14, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 23 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2005
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.eja.2004.08.001
  • Dergi Adı: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.8-14
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: rangeland, N and P fertilization, quality, crude protein, botanical composition, economic benefits
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Nitrogen fertilization of rangelands in order to increase dry matter yield results in a decrease in legume ratios in botanical composition, which reduces forage quality. The objectives of the present study therefore were to investigate whether this negative effect of N fertilization on forage quality can be compensated by additional P application and also to determine the optimum fertilizer doses in rangelands to obtain economical benefits. Therefore, 0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha(-1) and 0, 26, 52 kg P ha(-1) fertilizer rates were applied each year over a period of 3 years to 12 plots within each of 4 blocks. Botanical composition of the plots was determined and classified as grass, legumes and others for each treatment group based on dry weights. Dry matter yield, crude protein concentration and crude protein yield in treatment groups for each year were determined.