EFFECTS OF FERTILIZATION ON FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF CRESTED WHEATGRASS (AGROPYRON CRISTATUM L. GAERTN.)

ALBAYRAK S. , Turk M.

BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE, vol.17, no.5, pp.642-648, 2011 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 17 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Title of Journal : BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
  • Page Numbers: pp.642-648

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of six nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg ha(-1)) on forage yield and quality of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn.). Dry matter (DM) yield, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, (K/Ca+Mg), NDF, ADF, TDN, DDM, DMI, RFV and NE(1) were determined. Nitrogen rates significantly affected most of the components determined in crested wheatgrass. Nitrogen applications increased DM yield, N, P and K contents but decreased Ca, Mg, tetany ratio, NDF and ADF. TDN, DDM, DMI, RFV and NE(1) increased by increasing N fertilization. The results showed that crested wheatgrass at the 160 kg ha(-1) nitrogen treatment achieved a higher forage yield and quality than other nitrogen doses.