Fescue Forage Production and Quality Response to Sequential Nitrogen Applications¹

Abstract

There is a lack of formation concerning the influence of sequential applications of similar nitrogen rates on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ‘Ky 31’) forage production. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the application of 240 kg ha−1 N, in differing annual sequences, on forage production and quality. In general, forage production was highest in plots receiving high (> 120 kg/ha) N rates just prior to the spring (April–May) and/or fall (August and September) periods of growth. Total annual production was highest (9,645 kg ha−1) in plots receiving 240 kg ha−1 N as a single application in March. Plots receiving single N applications in September and November and semiannual N applications in July and January produced in excess of 8,000 kg ha−1 forage. The IVDMD varied only six percentage units for all treatments, was highest in plots promoting highest production during March and October, and was lowest in forage from the check plots (receiving no N). Frequent applications of N increased forage production during June and August when compared to total annual application of N in March. High N rates applied in July allowed for increased vegetation composition of invaders in plot areas and the highest IVDMD.

Whole-season grass response to and recovery of nitrogen applied at various rates and distributions in a high rainfall environment

“…There have been contrasting reports on the yield response of grass receiving various split and single applications of N in the Lower Fraser Valley (Bomke and Bertrand 1983), in Alberta (Malhi et al 1995), in eastern Canada (Kunelius et al 1984), in the USA (Smith and Calvert 1979;Dougherty and Rhykerd 1985) and in the United Kingdom (Castle and Reid 1968;Brockman 1974;Reid 1984;Baker 1986). In these studies, distribution affected yield much less than rate …”

Defoliation Intensity Effects on Season‐Long Dry Matter Distribution and Nutritive Value of Tall Fescue

“…The production potential of tall fescue, expressed as annual DMY, has been well addressed across the tall fescue transition zone (Hallock et al, 1965; Colyer et al, 1977; Matches, 1979; Smith and Calvert, 1979). Although annual yield data relative to pasture productivity are valuable, they provide little information about how the dry matter is distributed during the spring, summer, and fall growing periods.…”

Within-season grass yield and nitrogen uptake, and soil nitrogen as affected by nitrogen applied at various rates and distributions in a high rainfall environment

“…A number of studies have shown that distributing N application through the growing season can change the distribution of the yield within the season, while having little effect on yearly yields (Bomke and Bertrand 1983;Dawson et al 1982;Kunelius et al 1984;Maas et al 1962;Smith and Calvert 1979). This report examines within season yield, herbage N uptake and soil extractable inorganic N to determine practical and environmental implications of applying N with different rates and distributions.…”