The effect of herbicides, anhydrous ammonia and seed ing rate on winter production of oats sod-sown into grass dominant pasture

Abstract

A factorial field experiment, comparing three rates of nitrogen as anhydrous ammonia, two seeding rates of oats, and the presence or absence of a herbicide applied to grass pastures before sod-seeding, was conducted at Kyogle, New South Wales in 1964. Plots were sown in mid-autumn and harvested in winter and early spring. Increased applications of nitrogen and the higher seeding rate increased both dry matter yield and total nitrogen content. Application of herbicide significantly increased yield at the low rates of nitrogen but not at the highest rate. Anhydrous ammonia at 120 lb of nitrogen an acre had no effect on the germination of oats seed and provided adequate nitrogen for growth of oats without the need for herbicide application or cultivation of the grass pasture. The results suggest that oats can be successfully sod-seeded into grass dominant pastures by using 120 lb of nitrogen as anhydrous ammonia and four bushels of oats an acre.