scholarly journals Effect of a spring application of nitrogen on the performance of perennial ryegrass-white clover swards at two sites in the Netherlands

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-275
Author(s):  
R.L.M. Schils
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Yield ◽  
Cutting Frequency

In a field trial in 1989-93 on clay soil at Lelystad, Netherlands, a mixed sward of Lolium perenne cv. Profit and Magella and Trifolium repens cv. Retor was given annual applications of 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 kg N ha-1 and was cut 4-5 or 6-7 times a year. In a trial in 1992-94 on sandy soil in Overijssel, a sward of L. perenne cv. Meltra, Citadel and Condesa oversown with T. repens cv. Retor in 1991 was given annual applications of 0, 50 or 100 kg N ha-1. Average annual dry matter (DM) yields were 14.66 and 13.76 t ha-1 year-1 for the clay and sandy soil, respectively. Yields increased with increasing N rate at both sites. Cutting frequency had no consistent effect on DM yield, and there was no significant interaction between N rate and cutting frequency. T. repens contents decreased with increasing N rate, reducing the DM yield in the cuts after the first in the fertilized treatments. Annual N yields were not affected by N application. The higher cutting frequency increased the T. repens content from 36 to 47% and the N yield from 458 to 524 kg ha-1, but did not affect the DM yield.

The effect of cutting frequency and root segregation on the yield from perennial ryegrass-white clover associations

1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. Bland
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
The Third ◽  
Nitrogen Yield ◽  
Cutting Frequency ◽  
Nitrogen Yields ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Defoliation Frequency

1. Dry-matter and nitrogen yields were recorded from perennial ryegrass-white clover associations which were defoliated 2, 4 or 6 times a year during the period 1963 to 1965.2. The average yearly output of dry matter was approximately 4000, 7000 and 6000 lb/acre for 1963, 1964 and 1965 respectively. Nitrogen harvested amounted to 132, 184 and 179 lb N/acre.3. The mean annual dry-matter yields from 2, 4 and 6 defoliations were 5300, 6100 and 6000 lb/acre and the corresponding figures for nitrogen yields were 112, 166 and 217 lb N/acre.4. Both segregation of the species below ground and increasing the defoliation frequency were responsible for higher contributions towards drymatter and nitrogen yield from the clover component.5. A comparison of the nitrogen yields between the plots with species segregated rather than integrated below ground suggests that the effects of underground nitrogen transference from 30–31 lb N/acre could first be demonstrated in the spring of the third year.

scholarly journals Seasonal dry matter production of Lotus corniculatus in a dryland commercial sheep pastoral system

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 185-188
Author(s):  
C.A. Ramirez-Restrepo ◽  
P.D. Kemp ◽  
T.N. Barry ◽  
N. Lopezvillalobos
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
Pastoral System ◽  
The North

Lotus corniculatus (Birdsfoot trefoil, 'Grassland Goldie') may have a role in dryland pastoral systems in New Zealand, but there is little information available on its production under sheep grazing in these conditions. Dry matter (DM) production of L. corniculatus was measured monthly for 2 consecutive years in a systems approach experiment comparing it with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)/white clover (Trifolium repens) pasture in the Wairarapa on the east coast of the North Island. The total DM produced for 2 years was 8.5 and 10.5 t /ha for L. corniculatus compared with 7.3 and 9.9 t /ha for pasture. Also, the moderate concentration of CT (18- 29 g/kg DM) in L. corniculatus has been shown to increase sheep productivity (Wang et al. 1996ab; Min et al. 1999, 2001). This production advantage, combined with improved sheep performance, supports the potential use of L. corniculatus as a specialist forage in dryland areas. Key words: condensed tannins, perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, white clover, Trifolium repens, pasture.

Nitrogen and white clover impacts on the management of perennial ryegrass–clover swards for grazing cattle

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (9) ◽  
pp. 1381-1393 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. McDONAGH ◽  
T. J. GILLILAND ◽  
M. McEVOY ◽  
L. DELABY ◽  
M. O'DONOVAN
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
Rotation Length ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
N Use

SUMMARYPerennial ryegrass and white clover (WC) have been shown to form compatible mixtures for pasture production under temperate climates. The inclusion of WC has the potential to enhance the performance of grass swards, but the extent of the improvement under contrasting grazing management strategies is unclear. Grazing rotation and fertilizer nitrogen (N) use have been identified as two major factors that can influence the performance of grass–clover swards. The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of differing grazing rotation lengths and the level of N application on the dry matter (DM) yield performance of grass–clover and grass-only swards as well as on WC productivity and persistency under animal grazing. Swards were managed by N application and grazing rotation length: High-N swards were managed on a 21-day grazing rotation (Man 1) and low-N swards were managed on a 30-day grazing rotation (Man 2). The four treatments were: 250 kg N/ha without WC (HN−C), 250 kg N/ha with WC (HN+C), 100 kg N/ha N without WC (LN−C) and 100 kg N/ha with WC (LN+C). There was a significant management × WC interaction over the 3 years for annual DM yield. The LN−C swards produced lower DM yield (−1917 kg DM/ha) than the swards of the other three treatments (11 167 kg DM/ha). Management had a significant effect on annual DM yield with Man 1 swards yielding 801 kg DM/ha more than Man 2 swards (10 288 kg DM/ha). The inclusion of WC yielded significantly more annual DM yield (+1009 kg DM/ha) than grass-only swards. Notably, LN+C produced the same annual total DM yield as swards under High N and a 21-day grazing rotation. Total WC DM yield and proportion across the year was altered significantly by management. Higher N fertilized swards at shorter grazing intervals had a lower WC DM yield (−1544 kg DM/ha) and proportion (−0·13). Dry matter yield of WC with low N application can be similar to that at high N levels if rotation length is used as a mechanism to determine grazing timing. Variations in WC productivity into the final year of the experiment indicate that persistence of significant contributions to DM yield by WC under low N at longer grazing intervals remains unclear after 3 years.

Strategic nitrogen fertiliser use on perennial ryegrass and white clover pasture in north-western Tasmania

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Eckard ◽  
D. R. Franks
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
Clover Pasture

Summary. The strategic application of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on temperate pasture is a popular management tool for boosting pasture production, particularly when low soil temperatures limit clover-derived N availability. The responsiveness of a perennial ryegrass and white clover pasture to increasing rates of N fertiliser (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 kg N/ha), applied as a single application, was investigated for 5 pre and 5 post mid winter N application dates. The trial was laid out in a randomised split-plot design, replicated 4 times, with N application date in the whole plots and N fertiliser rate in subplots. Herbage yields were estimated by mowing small plots, with animals excluded for the duration of a single regrowth period on each plot. The data are presented as averages for the 5 pre and 5 post mid winter responses separately, as the means of the pre and post winter partitions were significantly (P<0.001) different at all rates of N fertiliser for both years. Significant (P<0.05) yield responses were noted between increments of N fertiliser up to the 45 kg N/ha application rate. In contrast, no significant (P>0.05) increases in dry matter yield were noted between the 45 and 60 kg N/ha rates in all but one response, consistent with diminishing returns. The efficiency with which N fertiliser was utilised ranged between 9.0 and 15.9 kg N dry matter/kg. Nitrogen efficiency was consistently lower at the 60 kg N/ha rate than for lower rates of N fertiliser. The application of N fertiliser increased pasture dry matter yields by between 582 and 703 kg dry matter/ha. Based on the 1997 cost of urea, the additional forage produced cost between 6.4 and 10.1 cents/kg dry matter. The data are reviewed in terms of the potential for strategic N fertiliser applications during the winter, while still maximising utilisation of clover-derived N during the warmer months.

Low rates of phosphorus fertiliser applied strategically throughout the growing season under rain-fed conditions did not affect dry matter production of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Burkitt ◽  
D. J. Donaghy ◽  
P. J. Smethurst
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Intensively Managed

Pasture is the cheapest source of feed for dairy cows, therefore, dairy pastures in Australia are intensively managed to maximise milk production and profits. Although soil testing commonly suggests that soils used for dairy pasture production have adequate supplies of phosphorus (P), many Australian dairy farmers still apply fertiliser P, often by applying smaller rates more frequently throughout the year. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that more frequent, but lower rates of P fertiliser applied strategically throughout the growing season have no effect on dry matter production and P concentration in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), when soil extractable P concentrations are above the critical value reported in the literature. Three field sites were established on rain-fed dairy pasture soils ranging in P sorption capacity and with adequate soil P concentrations for maximising pasture production. Results showed that applied P fertiliser had no effect on pasture production across the 3 sites (P > 0.05), regardless of rate or the season in which the P was applied, confirming that no P fertiliser is required when soil extractable P concentrations are adequate. This finding challenges the viability of the current industry practice. In addition, applying P fertiliser as a single annual application in summer did not compromise pasture production at any of the 3 sites (P > 0.05), which supports the current environmental recommendations of applying P during drier conditions, when the risk of surface P runoff is generally lower. The current results also demonstrate that the short-term cessation of P fertiliser application may be a viable management option, as a minimal reduction in pasture production was measured over the experimental period.

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