THE EFFECTS OF CUTTING AND FERTILIZER TREATMENTS ON THE YIELD AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF CHALK TURF

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Abstract
Annual factorial applications of N and K fertilizers, with or without mowing, to Festuca rubra turf on a chalk rendzina at Swyncombe, Oxon, had large effects on yield and botanical composition over a period of 10 years. The yield of herbage was increased markedly hy N, and less by K, but the N × K interaction was significant. Mean yields of herbage DM for tbe 10‐year period were: no N or K, 730 kg/ha per year; N, 1967; K, 1013; N+K, 2794 kg/ha per year (651, 1755, 904 and 2492 lb/ac per year). N caused an increase in DM production by F. rubra; the NxK interaction was a result of increased growth of species other tban F. rubra.Unmown plots became extremely matted, and undecomposed litter of F. rubra leaves and stems accumulated, especially if N, or N and K together, were given. F. rubra turf seems to he unusually stable, apparently because it forms a mat in which other more demanding species cannot establish themselves.