EFFECTS OF NITROGEN APPLICATION ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF BROMEGRASS HAY IN CENTRAL ALBERTA

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at four locations in central Alberta to determine the effect of N applications on dry matter yield and quality of bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) hay. Ammonium nitrate was broadcast in early spring for 5 yr at rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 kg N ha−1. In addition, fertilizer N was applied at 200 and 400 kg ha−1 only in the initial year to determine residual effects. Total dry matter yield (TDY) increased with increasing fertilizer N rates maximizing at 150 to 200, 100 to 150, 50 to 100 and 100 to 150 kg N ha−1 at Lacombe, Joffre, Botha, and Rocky Mountain House, respectively. Protein concentration and protein yield in bromegrass hay also increased with increasing N applications. Over the 4-yr period, TDY with initial N applications were generally lower than with the same total amount of N applied with annual rates. The residual effect of initial rates of N lasted only 2–3 yr following fertilizer application. With the exception of the Botha location, levels of NO3-N potentially toxic to livestock (>0.226%) were produced only in the first year. Potentially toxic NO3-N levels did not generally occur at those rates required to maximize TDY.Key words: Ammonium nitrate fertilizer, Bromus inermis, dry matter yield, nitrate-N concentration, protein concentration, protein yield

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: