THE EFFECT OF FERTILIZER AND GRAZING ON THE BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND OUTPUT OF AN AGROSTIS/FESTUCA SWARD

Abstract

The results are reported of the effects of fertilizer and grazii^ or cutting for hay over a period of 6 years on the composition of an Agrostisj Festuca permanent pasture on low-lying land at Beghroke Hill. Applications of N up to 264 nnits/ac each year associated with frequent defoliation every 21 days produced only smalt changes in sward composition; Agrostis spp. declined and Poa triviaiis increased. Lolium perenne did not increase from a small initial presence. Records of aniinal performance and hay yield showed that the mean output from the experiment as a whole was 530 Ih liveweight gain/ac and 0*5 ton hay/ac.

Long‐term effects of fertilizer on the botanical composition and soil seed population of a permanent grass sward

“…capillaris due to fertilizer were much smaller than during the early years of the experiment. In agreement with previous results (Elliott et al, 1974) fertilizer also had no effect on F. rubra in 1979. However, by 1984 it had depressed F. rubra, partly because of a large increase on the unfertilized paddocks between the two assessment dates and also because other grass species were encouraged on the fertilized paddocks.…”

“…In conclusion, the present analyses have corroborated and extended the evidence presented by Elliott et al (1974) of how fertilizer applications may induce large changes in the botanical composition of an old mixed sward. Furthermore, they have indicated that appreciable amounts oi Alopecurus pratensis and Lolium perenne are now present in the fertilized paddocks.…”

“…The results presented therefore relate entirely to the mean effects of fertilizer. In conjunction with the results presented by Elliott et al (1974) the data on botanical composition give some indication of the main changes occurring with time in the two sets of paddocks. The present results, like those of Elliott ei al.…”

Slot‐seeding investigations. 1. Effect of level of nitrogen fertilizer and row spacing on establishment, herbage growth and quality of perennial ryegrass

“…Soil organic matter and total N were high (ammonium N = 20 parts/10') for soil of this texture but K and particularly P were low (P. Needham, personal communication,). Past management of the permanent grass sward was similar to that described by Elliott et al (1974), The sward consisted of three dominant species, Festuca rubra, Agrostis spp, and Poa spp., with minor species, including Holcus lanatus, Deschampsia caespitosa, TrifoHum repens and various broad-leaved weeds. Only an occasional plant of perennial ryegrass was present.…”

“…The present work stemmed from the failure of fertilizers and frequent grazing to bring about rapid changes in the botanical composition of apparently low-quality permanent grassland (Elliott et al, 1974); ryegrass ground cover remained below 5% regardless of contrasting fertilizer and defoliation regimes over a period of 6 years. The authors noted a lack of ryegrass seed in the soil and considered that some form of seed introduction was needed to increase rates of sward change and improve herbage output.…”