Influence of phosphatic fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of grass pasture

Abstract

While the distribution of P fertilizer had an insignificant influence on the DM production of a grass pasture over a three‐year period, the level of both N and P was highly significant. Growth patterns were unaffected by any of the fertilizer treatments and would appear to be determined primarily by environmental and genetic factors. With respect to crude protein and phosphorous content of the herbage this was determined primarily by the level of N and P fertilization, although the distribution of P in split applications tended to improve P content in the late summer.

‘n Vergelyking van tye van toediening van P bemesting, teen verskillende peile van P en N bemesting, oor ‘n drie‐jaar periode het bevestig dat DM‐produksie primêr deur die peil van N‐ en P‐bemesting bepaal word. Die groeipatroon hierteenoor is primêr deur die omgewingsfaktore en inherente eienskappe van die weiding bepaal. Met verwysing na die chemiese samestelling is daar bevind dat die peil van N‐ en P‐bemesting uiters belangrik is, maar dat gesplete P‐toedienings wel die P‐inhoud van weiding in die nasomer kon verbeter.

Additional index words:

• Crude protein content
• distribution P fertilizer
• growth patterns
• nitrogen fertilization
• phosphorous content