Effect of autumn regrowth interval and nitrogen fertiliser on dry matter yield and plant characteristics of six forage species
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.560Abstract
Abstract Cold temperatures and drainage increase nitrogen (N) losses from livestock production systems, so autumn management and forage type were investigated as strategies to mitigate N loss whilst meeting animal requirements. The effect of regrowth interval and fertiliser rate on plant dry matter (DM) yield, plant N and digestible organic matter in the DM (DOMD) was measured in six forage species over 4 weeks regrowth, in Canterbury in autumn 2015. As regrowth interval increased, herbage DM yield increased (from 180 kg DM/ha to 922 kg DM/ha, P<0.05) and N response rates were highest in perennial ryegrass and plantain (P<0.05). Herbage N% in autumn was high at >3.2% of DM and, in grasses and herbs, was positively associated with N application rate but negatively associated with regrowth interval (P<0.001). Delayed grazing by up to 4 weeks, under a moderate N regime, improved herbage quality and reduced herbage N% in autumn. These results suggest plantain is a suitable alternative to perennial ryegrass to reduce N losses without impeding farm production in autumn. Keywords: chicory, plantain, perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, white clover, red clover, nitrate leaching, nitrogen response rateDownloads
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