Effects of phosphorus application on grass and grass/clover swards

• Main Authors: Schils, R. L. M, Snijders, P. J. M. (Research Station for Cattle, Lelystad (Netherlands). Sheep and Horse Husbandry)
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Tartu (Estonia) Estonian Agricultural University Publishers 1995
• Subjects: ABONOS FOSFATADOS; ABONOS NITROGENADOS; ENGRAIS AZOTE; ENGRAIS PHOSPHATE; GRAMINEAS; GRAMINEE; PAISES BAJOS; PASTIZAL MIXTO; PAYS BAS; PRAIRIE MIXTE; TRIFOLIUM REPENS

An experiment on a young marine clay soil was started in which the effects of P application on pure perennial ryegrass swards and on mixed swards are studied. In January 1994 the trial site was ploughed to a depth of 24 cm and plots were seeded in April with either grass or grass/clover. At the start of the trial soil available P was very low. Grass-only and grass/clover swards were combined with three and two levels of fertilizer N, respectively. These treatments were then combined with four P fertilizer rates. The results in this establishment year showed a modest positive effect of P application on grass and white clover DM yields. On grass-only plots a consistent interaction existed between N and P application rate when considering P offtake, P content and DM yield. In contrast, grass/clover plots receiving fertilizer N showed a poorer response to P than those receiving no N. Results in the following years will show whether the above effects are consistent or not