EFFECTS OF DATES OF SEEDING AND LEVELS OF N FERTILIZATION ON YIELDS, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY OF FORAGE KALE

Open Access

1 January 1976

journal article
Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Plant Science

Vol. 56 (1) , 63-70
https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps76-011

Abstract

Forage kale (Brassica oleracea L.) was seeded on three dates and fertilized at different levels of N as NH₄NO₃ for 3 yr. The highest dry matter (DM) yield was obtained with the earliest date of seeding and with levels of N fertilization of 120 kg/ha. The yield of crude protein (CP) was relatively constant among years, for the different dates of seeding and for N fertilization above 120 kg/ha. Increasing N fertilization or delaying seeding increased the leaf:stem ratio, and consequently the CP content. The levels of NO₃-N in stems, leaves and whole plants were at an acceptable level for safe feeding. The cellulose, crude fiber, Ca and P contents were not affected greatly either by the dates of seeding or by the levels of N fertilization. The in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) was not affected markedly by any treatment.

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