The Production of Early Spring Grass

Abstract

The effects of autumn management and nitrogenous manuring on the production of early spring grass were studied from 1954 to 1957 on farms throughout England and Wales. The most important management factor influencing spring yields was the application of spring nitrogen. In the early spring 6 to 10 lb. of dry matter were produced per lb. of nitrogen applied. Autumn nitrogen increased herbage yields in the auttimn by 8 to 17 lb. of dry matter per lb. of nitrogen applied. Italian and perennial ryegrass responded well to autumn nitrogen but it was important to graze off the extra growth fairly quickly to prevent the sward becoming too open. The yield of ryegrass swards which received spring nitrogen were very much higher if they were grazed during the previous September and October than if they had been rested during those months. In two years neither the autumn management nor alumni fertilizer appeared to influence the spring yields of cocksfoot, timothy or meadow fescue swards, in one year, however, when autumn growth was poor, autumn nitrogen and resting resulted in slightly better yields on these swards in the following spring. It is suggested that resting swards during September and October to build up “reserves” is relatively unimportant in relation to the yields of grass in the following spring.

The Influence of Two Levels of Nitrogenous Fertilizing on the Long‐term Productivity of Leys

“…Experimental and practical experience has shown that early and late applications of nitrogenous fertilizer produce earlier grass in the spring and later grazing in the autumn than can be obtained from grass/clover swards which do not receive fertilizer nitrogen (Baker et ai,1,2). These applications of N are invariably associated with the suppression of clover to a greater or lesser extent.…”

Variation in Yield, Maturity Type, Winter Greenness and Sensitivity to Cutting of Hill Grass Species

“…Where sites are not completely occupied, or are occupied to a greater than optimum level, defoliation, by stimulating vegetative reproduction or reducing occupancy to a more favourable level, may increase production (6). Baker et al (2) found the effects of autumn grazing on spring yields of cocksfoot/ timothy/meadow-fescue swards were inconsistent, although in one year out of three there was some evidence that resting benefited spring growth. With ryegrass swards, however, higher spring yields were obtained from swards grazed in the autumn than from those rested.…”