Nitrogen fertiliser effects on white clover in dairy pastures

1996 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 119-124
Author(s):  
S.L. Harris ◽  
D.A. Clark ◽  
C.D. Waugh ◽  
F.H. Clarkson
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
Clover Plant

Effects of high N fertiliser rates on white clover content in the sward and clover plant morphology were monitored over two years (June1993-June 1995) at the DRC, Hamilton. The clover study was part of a farmlet trial aimed at increasing milksolids (MS) production to 1750 kg MS/ha using urea (0, 200 or 400 kg N/ha/yr) to increase pasture production at low (3.2 cows/ha) or high (4.5 cows/ha) stocking rates. On low stocked farmlets clover contents declined to 10.6% (200 kg N/ ha/yr) and 2.2% (400 kg N/ha/yr) by June 1995 compared with 16.8% under no N. Decreased clover content was a result of increased competition from N-boosted ryegrass. At the high stocking rate, N application resulted in clover contents of 14.9% (200 kg N/ha/yr) and 6.8% (400 kg N/ha/yr) compared with 15.4% under no N. Pasture utilisation was better on these farmlets, suggesting the improved utilisation and control of additional feed, particularly during spring, was responsible for the higher clover content. Measurements of clover plant density supported the clover content observations. By June 1995 there were 438, 227 and 26 plants/m2 under 0, 200 and 400 kg N/ha/yr respectively. High N rates also affected clover plant morphology; plants developed fewer axillary buds and stolons, and had lower stolon dry weights under 400 kg N/ha/yr. Keywords: clover content, dairying, morphology, nitrogen, plant density, Trifolium repens, white clover

scholarly journals Effects of high rates of nitrogen fertiliser on dairy pastures and production

1994 ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Harris ◽  
J.W. Penn ◽  
A.M. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
N Application ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Nitrogen Fixation Activity ◽  
Clover Content ◽  
Clover Plant

High rates of nitrogen (N) fertiliser (217 and 324 kg N/ha/y) applied during a farrnlet study at No. 2 Dairy, DRC, Hamilton increased annual net herbage accumulation by 23% and 27% respectively. Increases in feed conservation and milk production reflected the extra pasture growth. On low stocked (3.2 cows/ha) farmlets where 219 and 330 kgN/ba/yr were used, clover contents declined to 12.5% and 3.4% respectively compared with 22.8% where no N was used. Decreased clover content was probably a result of competition from increased growth of ryegrass. At the high stocking rate (4.5 cows/ha), N application resulted in clover contents of 19.6% and 7.9% respectively, compared with 23.8% where no nitrogen was used. Pasture utilisation was better on these fannlets than under the lower stocking rate, suggesting the improved utilisation of additional feed, particularly during spring, was responsible for the higher clover content. Nitrogen fixation activity was lower in pastures which received N fertiliser due to both the decreased clover content and a reduction in activity per clover plant. Keywords: conservation, dairying, milk production, nitrogen fertiliser, pasture production, Trifolium repens

scholarly journals Nitrogen fixation by caucasian clover and white clover in irrigated ryegrass pastures

2001 ◽  
pp. 171-175
Author(s):  
K.H. Widdup ◽  
R.G. Purves ◽  
A.D. Black ◽  
P. Jarvis ◽  
R.J. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
White Clover ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Pastoral System ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Trifolium Ambiguum ◽  
Enrichment Technique ◽  
15N Enrichment ◽  
Clover Content

The N2 fixation ability of caucasian clover was compared with that of white clover in irrigated ryegrass pastures over years 2 and 3 of a grazing experiment, using the 15N enrichment technique. 'Endura' caucasian clover was inoculated with the specific Rhizobium strain ICC148. The N concentration in clover herbage and the proportion of clover N derived from N2 fixation (PN) were similar for both clovers at averages of 4.6%N and 50-60% respectively over the 2 years. The amount of N2 fixed per hectare was directly related to the amount of clover dry matter (DM) produced by the two clover species. Caucasian clover produced four times the DM yield of white clover in year 2 (5400 cf. 1450 kg DM/ha) and four times the amount of N2 fixed in herbage (136 cf. 36 kg N/ ha). In year 3, caucasian clover produced 50% more clover DM (3450 cf. 2370 kg DM/ha) and N2 fixed (98 cf. 66 kg N/ha) than white clover. The increased N input from caucasian clover increased grass %N and N uptake from soil in caucasian clover pastures resulting in higher total pasture production compared with white clover pastures (15.7 cf. 14.2 t DM/ha) by year 3. In this study, caucasian clover demonstrated greater potential than white clover to meet the N demands of high-yielding perennial ryegrass in an intensive pastoral system. Keywords: clover content, Lolium perenne, nitrogen fixation, pasture production, Trifolium ambiguum, T. repens

scholarly journals Grazing management influences on seasonality and performance of ryegrass and red clover in a mixture

1985 ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.P. Cosgrove ◽  
R.W. Brougham
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Total Production ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Summer Grazing ◽  
Clover Plant

Grazing management influences on the production and species composition of a ryegrass, red and white clover pasture were evaluated over 3 years. Pastures were grazed by cattle frequently in either winter or summer and infrequently for the remainder of the year or grazed infrequently all year. Frequency was determined by the height of herbage pre-grazing and was lo-12 cm for frequent grazing and 15-20 cm for infrequent grazing. Annual herbage production of 15.1 t DM/ha was not influenced by grazing management but seasonal production was. Management caused both instantaneous and longer term effects on production of component species. Lower summer production because of frequent grazing in that season resulted from a reduction in red clover production from 2.75 to 1.3 t DM/ha. However, ryegrass production in spring was increased by 60% and in summer it was more than doubled by this grazing treatment. Frequent grazing in winter also increased ryegrass and reduced red clover production in summer compared with infrequent grazing all year but had no effect on ryegrass production in spring. Red clover plant density was unaffected by the different grazing managements imposed for two and a half years but subsequently was lower under frequent summer grazing. Red clover dominance in summer and its effect on ryegrass production in spring can be controlled by more frequent grazing in summer and a more even species balance results. Emphasis on spring or summer production can be achieved through grazing management without affecting total production. Keywords: Red clover, ryegrass, grazing frequency, cattle grazing, herbage production, seasonal production

White clover incorporation at high nitrogen application levels: results from a 3-year study

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Guy ◽  
D. Hennessy ◽  
T. J. Gilliland ◽  
F. Coughlan ◽  
B. McClearn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
High Nitrogen ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Clover Content

Context High nitrogen (N)-fertiliser application levels and high stocking rates have been shown to optimise herbage dry-matter (DM) production in grass-only systems. Conversely, swards including white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are commonly suited to production systems at low N-fertiliser application levels (<150 kg N/ha) and low stocking rates (fewer than two livestock units (LU) per hectare). Despite this, the use of N fertiliser on grass–clover swards has generally increased during the past few decades, particularly in more intensively managed swards under dairy farming. Increasing inorganic N decreases sward white clover content in grass–clover swards, and increasing stocking rate on grass–clover swards can result in damage to white clover plants. However, under high N-application levels, a high stocking rate can also potentially minimise the negative effects of increased grass growth on sward white clover content. Aims The objective of the present study was to investigate the persistency of white clover in an intensive animal-grazing system, under a high N-fertiliser application level (250 kg N/ha) and at a high stocking rate (2.75 LU per hectare) over a 3-year period (2014–2016). Methods The study was a 2 × 2 factorial design, consisting of two perennial ryegrass ploidies (diploid, tetraploid) and two white clover treatments (grass-only, grass–clover). Four sward treatments (diploid-only, tetraploid-only, diploid + clover, tetraploid + clover) were evaluated over a full grazing season at a system scale. Sward measurements were taken at each grazing occasion for 3 years. Key results Over the 3 years, grass–clover swards produced an additional 1468 kg DM/ha when compared with grass-only swards. Sward white clover content decreased by 17% over the three study years. Conclusions This decrease in sward white clover content led to a decrease in contribution to cumulative herbage DM production. Implications Although the present study showed that white clover inclusion can increase herbage DM production at high N-fertiliser application levels, in association with high stocking rates, the initial extra herbage DM production on grass–clover swards decreased each year. Further studies should be undertaken to investigate whether the decline in white clover persistence observed is progressive over a longer time period.

scholarly journals Evaluation of nitrogen fertiliser in a beef production system

1990 ◽  
pp. 89-92
Author(s):  
S.T. Morris ◽  
A.F. Mcfrae
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Production System ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Objective Being ◽  
Clover Content

This paper reports and discusses the results of 4 years of trials (1985-1988) involving 2 farmlets, one receiving 3 nitrogen applications (50 kg /ha) in autumn, winter and spring (+N) and one receiving no N fertiliser (-N). Stocking rags were 3.3 animals/ha on -N farmlet and 4.3 animals/ha on the +N farmlet for the first 3 years, with the objective being to utilise the extra N-boosted grass with extra animals/ha but not to sacrifice individual animal performance. In the fourth year the stocking rates were kept the same on each farmlet (3.3 animals/ha) in an endeavour to utilise the extra grass grown on the +N farmlet by way of increased per head performance. In 2 of the 3 years (1985 and 1987) where the +N farmlet supported the higher stocking rate, liveweight gain (LWG) did not differ between animals. In 1986 the extra animals on the -l-N farmlet had a lower LWG, whereas in 1988 the LWGs were similar for the 2 farmlets stocked at the same rate. The apparent DM responses (kg DM/kg N applied) ranged from 2 to 12. The rates of N fertiliser used in this trial do not appear to result in economic increases in pasture production for the beef production system reported here. Nitrogen fertiliser did not reduce the clover content of pastures rotationally grazed by beef cattle. Keywords beef production, nitrogen fertiliser, pasture composition, livewieght gain, economics.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Fertilization on Growth and Yield Response of Oat (Avena Sativa L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
MM Islam ◽  
AA Mamun ◽  
SK Ghosh ◽  
D Mondal
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N Application ◽  
Straw Yield ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
N Rates

Nitrogen is one of the main inputs of oat cultivation and its efficient management is a basic for harvesting the maximum potentiality of the crop. An investigation was conducted at field laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh to find out the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of oat during 2017-2018. The experiment was designed in randomized complete block with seven N rates (0, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 kg ha-1) in triplicate run. Application of N nitrogen significantly increased the growth and yield of oat. The results showed that 105 kg ha-1 N was supreme in all growth parameters and straw yield but 90 kg ha-1 N was better for main yield parameters and grain yield. The maximum plant height (101.27 cm), leaf number (11.90), tillers plant-1 (9.93), plant density (41.33 m-2) and straw yield (4.70 tha-1) were recorded with  105 kg ha-1 N application, whereas the highest grain yield (1.76 t ha-1) was found with 90 kg ha-1 N. From the results of the present research, it may be concluded that application of 90 kg N ha-1 could be used for oat production in soils of AEZ 13, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(2): 35-43

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.

scholarly journals The pasture ryegrass plant, what is it?

1991 ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
J.L. Brock ◽  
V.J. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
High Plant Density ◽  
Short Internodes ◽  
Average Size

Detailed studies of plant growth processes are important in understanding the performance and persistence of species in pastures, particularly in response to uncharacteristic environmental stress. The morphology of perennial ryegrass plants in mixed sheep grazed pastures was determined in self contained farmlets undercontrasting managements of rotational grazing, set stocking or a combination of both. Average size was 90 mg total DW, with 4- 5 tillers and 12-13 leaves, little different to white clover. Ryegrass exhibits strong clonal growth, with extension at the apex and death of the basal stem releasing branches to form new plants at regular intervals, maintaining a stable population structure of small plants all year. The normally short internodes on ryegrass stems can elongate to form stolon and elevate the apex to a more favourable position if survival is threatened. On average only 2530% of plants contained stolon at any one time. Because of high plant density the quantities of ryegrass stem present was often in excess of that produced by white clover in the same swards. Grazing management did not affect plant structure (numbers of tillers, leaves etc) only their size (dry weight), but had marked effects on pasture structure and subsequent survival of plants under stress. Keywords perennial ryegrass, plant morphology, grazing management, seasonal variation, plant survival, stolon formation

scholarly journals White clover plant morphology in Waikato dairy pastures

1993 ◽  
pp. 147-150
Author(s):  
S.L. Harris
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
Stolon Length ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Grazed Swards ◽  
White Clover Plant ◽  
Clover Plant

Seasonal changes in white clover plant morphology were investigated in Waikato dairy pasture. Plants were classified according to the degree of branching, 2nd-order plants comprising the bulk of the population (47%) throughout the year. There was a slightly greater proportion of lst-order plants than found in similar studies on sheep-grazed swards in Manawahr. Plant fragmentation occurred in late spring, increasing the proportion of lstorder plants. A corresponding decrease in plant size was observed, with minimum values measured for most characteristics, i.e., stolon, leaf and root dry weight (DW); stolon length, and number of leaves, roots and growing points. Overall, white clover plants in Waikato dairy pastures are considerably larger than plants in Manawatu sheep pastures. The trial highlighted that because white clover plants in spring are small, they are vulnerable to mismanagement in dairy pastures, just as has been demonstrated in pasture grazed by sheep. There were, however, some significant differences in white clover plant structure in dairy pastures compared with sheep-grazed swards. Keywords: dairy pasture, morphology, plant order, plant size, seasonal variation, Trifolium repens

Superphosphate maintains soil fertility and beef production on grazed white clover pastures in the subtropics. 1. Residual soil phosphorus, sulfur, and nitrogen, and pasture growth responses

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
PT Mears ◽  
EJ Havilah ◽  
GH Price ◽  
RE Darnell ◽  
DJ McLennan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Over Time

Phosphorus (P) as superphosphate was applied at 0, 12, 24, and 48 kg P/ha each year from 1972 to 1980 to an established white clover (Trifolium repens) and carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) pasture, to measure long-term changes in soil fertility and pasture production under grazing on a duplex soil in a coastal, subtropical environment. Hereford weaner steers grazed the pasture at 2 stocking rates (1.67 and 2.5 steers/ha) from 1972 to 1974, and at 3 stocking rates (1.67, 2.50, and 3.3 steers/ha) for 7 years to 1981. The effects of P and stocking rate during 1972-76 on pasture and animal production were small and variable, so the study was extended to 1980-81 to measure longer term P and stocking rate effects on soil fertility. Available soil P (bicarbonate-extracted) and sulfur (S, phosphate-extracted) responded (P<0.05) linearly over time to rates of maintenance superphosphate. For soil P, this effect increased with time and showed seasonal fluctuations, which were described by a model with linear and curvilinear functions. After 9 years, average soil P levels at the 4 rates of applied superphosphate changed from 32 to 12, 24, 45, and 91 mg P/kg soil, respectively. A residual value function (RVF) was used to predict the residual value of applied phosphorus over time, which fitted the observed values of available soil P for each fertiliser treatment (R2 = 0.99). The soil S response to superphosphate remained constant over time. Mean values at the 4 rates of applied superphosphate were 8, 11, 15, and 25 mg/kg. Over the 9 years, total soil nitrogen increased (P<0.01) linearly from 0.134 to 0.179% and pH decreased (P<0.05) slightly from 5.7 to 5.2, but neither was significantly affected by superphosphate application. Total pasture and clover growth measured in cages responded linearly to superphosphate, with maximum (P<0.05) response occurring in spring each year from 1972-73 to 1976-77. It was concluded that on this duplex soil with 32 mg/kg of bicarbonate-extractable P, omitting superphosphate reduced soil P after 12 months and pasture growth within 18 months. Annual applications of superphosphate from 125 to 250 kg/ha (12-24 kg P/ha) maintained bicarbonate-extractable soil P in the range 24-45 mg/kg and improved growth and seed reserves of white clover in this environment.

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