The effect of fertiliser N rates on growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) grown at high soil water levels under controlled conditions

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dc.contributor.authorLabuschagne J.
dc.contributor.authorAgenbag G.A.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:55:01Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:55:01Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractThe response of perennial ryegrass and white clover to fertiliser N rates of 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1 when grown at soil water potentials of -10, -20, -25 and -35 kPa were investigated. Increasing fertiliser N levels from 0 to 120 kg N ha-1 resulted in increased (P=0.05) perennial ryegrass primary dry matter production (PDM) at the end of the first regrowth cycle (31 days). Ryegrass PDM yield was influenced (P=0.05) by soil water potential, with higher yields recorded at the -10 and -20 kPa treatments compared to the -25 and -35 kPa treatments. White clover PDM production was not influenced by N rate or soil water potential. Carry-over fertiliser N caused increased (P=0.05) ryegrass residual dry matter (RDM) yields as fertiliser N rate was increased from 0, 30, or 60 kg N ha-1 to 120 and 180 kg N ha-1, while clover RDM production increased as fertiliser N rate was increased from 0 to 180 kg N ha-1. Higher (-10 and -20 kPa) soil water levels caused increased ryegrass RDM production, a response not observed in clover. Total dry matter (TDM) production (the accumulative dry matter production during a 60 day period following fertiliser N application) of ryegrass was significantly increased as fertiliser N rate was increased from 0 to 180 kg N ha-1. Higher ryegrass TDM yields at-10 kPa and -20 kPa were recorded at the higher (120 and 180 kg N ha-1) N application rates, but water content did not influence TDM production at the lower (0, 30 and 60 kg N ha-1) fertiliser N application rates. Clover TDM production was not influenced by the treatments applied.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationSouth African Journal of Plant and Soil
dc.identifier.citation23
dc.identifier.citation4
dc.identifier.issn2571862
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/9534
dc.subjectfertilizer application
dc.subjectgrass
dc.subjectgrowth
dc.subjectherb
dc.subjectnitrogen
dc.subjectperennial plant
dc.subjectsoil water
dc.subjectwater content
dc.subjectLolium
dc.subjectLolium perenne
dc.subjectTrifolium
dc.subjectTrifolium repens
dc.titleThe effect of fertiliser N rates on growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) grown at high soil water levels under controlled conditions
dc.typeArticle
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