Nutrient Movement and Grazing: Experimental Effects of Clipping and Nitrogen Source on Nutrient Uptake in Kyllinga nervosa

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Abstract
The effects of simulated grazing and N source on the assimilation of essential nutrients were examined in K. nervosa Steud., a sedge from the Serengeti short grass plants. Clipping and N source both had significant effects on forage quality and the rates of nutrient uptake. Clipping increased green leaf nutrient concentrations and specific root uptake of nutrients an average of 18.2% and 77.7%, respectively. Ammonium-grown plants had higher green leaf nutrient levels of K, P, Cu, Mn, Na, Zn and Fe; nitrate-grown plants had higher green levels of Ca and Mg. Specific root uptake of all elements except Mg were greater in ammonium- compared with nitrate-grown plants. Green leaf nutrient levels of laboratory-grown K. nervosa were nutritionally unbalanced for ungulates, and both clipping and ammonium aggravated the potential toxicity of the species.