Effect of nitrogen application on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer-active forage crops in southern Australia
J. L. Jacobs A B and G. N. Ward A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Primary Industries, 78 Henna Street, Warrnambool, Vic. 3280, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: joe.jacobs@dpi.vic.gov.au
Animal Production Science 51(1) 77-86 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10105
Submitted: 25 June 2010 Accepted: 22 September 2010 Published: 15 December 2010
Abstract
In the dryland areas of southern Australia, summer-active forage crops have been traditionally grown to provide additional home-grown feed during a period when pasture is often in short supply. Dry matter (DM) yields are often variable and the use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser is considered a viable option to increase such yields.
The effect of applying N fertiliser to the summer-active species, forage brassica cv. Hunter (Brassica campestris L. × Brassica napus L.), forage brassica cv. Winfred (Brassica napus L.), turnips (Brassica rapa L. cv. Barkant), chicory (Chichorium intybus L. cv. Grouse), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L. cv. Tonic), sorghum sudangrass hybrid cv. Sweet Jumbo [Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanese (Piper) Stapf.], millet (Echinochloa utilis Ohwi & Yabuno) and a mixture of Winfred and millet (1 : 5) over two summer periods were measured. N was applied at 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha with half of the N being applied ~5–6 weeks after sowing for all crops and the remainder immediately following the first grazing of regrowth crops and at 9 weeks after sowing for turnips.
DM yield responses to applied N were variable, with increases only being observed in the first year. For the regrowth forages (all forages except turnips), the DM yield increase occurred during the second growth period and reflects higher than average rainfall during that period. The crude protein content of all forages generally increased with increasing N application in both years, with the highest response being 0.14% per kg N applied. In contrast, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forages decreased with N application.
The results from this study indicate that the effect of applying N fertiliser to summer forages is limited by available moisture and subsequent active growth of the forage. Where there is adequate moisture, N application can improve DM yield and also the crude protein content of most summer forages. Application of N to summer forages should be seen as a tactical decision based on available soil moisture and active plant growth to ensure N uptake and subsequent DM accumulation.
References
APHA (1998) Part 4000 inorganic non-metallic constituents: 4500-NO3I Cadmium reduction flow injection method. In ‘Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater.’ 20th edn. (Eds LS Clesceri, AE Greenberg, AD Eaton) pp. 4-127–4-129. (American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation: Washington, DC)Barry TN (1998) The feeding value of chicory (Chichorium intybus) for ruminant livestock. Journal of Agricultural Science 131, 251–257.
| The feeding value of chicory (Chichorium intybus) for ruminant livestock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chapman DF, Kenny SN, Beca D, Johnson IR (2008) Pasture and forage crop systems for non-irrigated dairy farms in southern Australia. 1. Physical production and economic performance. Agricultural Systems 97, 108–125.
| Pasture and forage crop systems for non-irrigated dairy farms in southern Australia. 1. Physical production and economic performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clark DA, Howse SW, Johnson RJ, Pearson A, Penno JW, Thomson NA (1996) Turnips for summer milk production. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 57, 145–150.
Clarke T, Flinn PC, McGowan AA (1982) Low cost pepsin-cellulase assays for prediction of digestibility of herbage. Grass and Forage Science 37, 147–150.
| Low cost pepsin-cellulase assays for prediction of digestibility of herbage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Doyle PT, Stockdale CR, Lawson AR, Cohen DC (2000) ‘Pastures for dairy production in Victoria.’ (Rodney Printers: Tatura, Vic.)
Genstat Committee (2007) ‘Genstat for Windows.’ 10th edn. (VSN International: Hertfordshire, UK)
Geurink JH, Malestein A, Kemp A, Korzeniowski A, van’t Klooster AT (1982) Nitrate poisoning in cattle. 7. Prevention. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 30, 105–113.
Guillard K, Pietrzyk SW, Cassida KA, Wiedenhoeft MH, Hough RL, Barton BA, Allinson DW (1995) Seasonal nitrogen and carbohydrate partitioning in forage brassicas. Agronomy Journal 87, 562–569.
| Seasonal nitrogen and carbohydrate partitioning in forage brassicas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hattey JA, Sabbe WE, Batten GD, Blakeney AB (1994) Nitrogen and starch analysis of cotton leaves using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 25, 1855–1863.
| Nitrogen and starch analysis of cotton leaves using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXktVCgs7s%3D&md5=0f044480ba66db600f716a9c8f7545c9CAS |
Isbell RF (1996) ‘The Australian soil classification.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Jacobs JL, Ward GN (2004) Effect of dairy effluent on millet yields and quality. Agronomy New Zealand. In ‘Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference, Ashburton, New Zealand’. (Ed. PD Kemp) pp. 51–56. (Agronomy Society of New Zealand: Christchurch)
Jacobs JL, Ward GN (2008a) The effect of dairy effluent on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer active regrowth forage crops in southern Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59, 578–588.
| The effect of dairy effluent on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer active regrowth forage crops in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jacobs JL, Ward GN (2008b) Effluent and nitrogen fertiliser effects on dry matter yield, nutritive characteristics, mineral and nitrate content of turnips. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59, 624–631.
| Effluent and nitrogen fertiliser effects on dry matter yield, nutritive characteristics, mineral and nitrate content of turnips.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnvFymu7o%3D&md5=1c58f8b6094961a0ed65e197ba2b69eaCAS |
Jacobs JL, McKenzie FR, Ward GN (1999) Changes in the botanical composition and nutritive characteristics of pasture, and nutrient selection by dairy cows grazing rainfed pastures in western Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 39, 419–428.
| Changes in the botanical composition and nutritive characteristics of pasture, and nutrient selection by dairy cows grazing rainfed pastures in western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jacobs JL, Ward GN, McDowell AM, Kearney G (2001) A survey on the effect of establishment techniques, crop management, moisture availability and soil type on turnip dry matter yields and nutritive characteristics in western Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 743–751.
| A survey on the effect of establishment techniques, crop management, moisture availability and soil type on turnip dry matter yields and nutritive characteristics in western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jacobs JL, Ward GN, McKenzie FM, Kearney G (2006a) Irrigation and nitrogen fertiliser effects on dry matter yield, water use efficiency and nutritive characteristics of summer forage crops in south west Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1139–1149.
| Irrigation and nitrogen fertiliser effects on dry matter yield, water use efficiency and nutritive characteristics of summer forage crops in south west Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jacobs JL, Ward GN, Maskell P, McKenzie FR (2006b) Contribution of a herb and clover mix to spring and autumn sown forage for dryland dairying. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grasslands Association 68, 283–288.
Johnston AE, McEwan J, Lane PW, Hewitt MV, Poulton PR, Yeoman DP (1994) Effects of one to six year old ryegrass-clover leys on soil nitrogen and on the subsequent yields and fertilizer nitrogen requirements of the arable sequence winter wheat, potatoes, winter wheat, winter beans (Vicia faba) grown on a sandy loam soil. Journal of Agricultural Science 122, 73–89.
| Effects of one to six year old ryegrass-clover leys on soil nitrogen and on the subsequent yields and fertilizer nitrogen requirements of the arable sequence winter wheat, potatoes, winter wheat, winter beans (Vicia faba) grown on a sandy loam soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Judson GJ, McFarlane JD (1998) Mineral disorders in grazing livestock and the usefulness of plant and soil analysis in the assessment of these disorders. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 707–723.
| Mineral disorders in grazing livestock and the usefulness of plant and soil analysis in the assessment of these disorders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lautenenschlaeger W (1989) Atomic spectroscopy advances. Microwave digestion in a closed-vessel, high pressure system. Spectroscopy 4, 16–21.
McDonald RC, Manley TR, Barry TN, Forss DA, Sinclair AG (1981) Nutritional evaluation of kale (Brassica oleracea) diets: III. Changes in plant composition induced by soil fertility practices, with special reference to SMCO and glucosinolate concentrations. Journal of Agricultural Science 97, 13–23.
| Nutritional evaluation of kale (Brassica oleracea) diets: III. Changes in plant composition induced by soil fertility practices, with special reference to SMCO and glucosinolate concentrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (1990) UK tables of nutritive value and chemical composition of feeding stuffs. In ‘Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Standing Committee on Tables of Feed Composition’. (Eds DI Givens, AR Moss) (Rowett Research Services: Aberdeen, UK)
Moate PJ, Dalley DE, Roche JR, Grainger C, Dalley DE, Martin K, Grainger C (1998) Milk production responses to turnips fed to dairy cows in mid lactation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 117–123.
| Milk production responses to turnips fed to dairy cows in mid lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nakashima S, Sturgeon E, Willie SN, Berman SS (1988) Acid digestion of marine samples for trace element analysis using microwave heating. Analyst 113, 159–163.
| Acid digestion of marine samples for trace element analysis using microwave heating.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXhtVGmt7w%3D&md5=fa798f75ae4e1f9944877641131fba14CAS | 3358504PubMed |
Notman P (1994) Turnips – a farmer’s experience. In ‘Proceedings of the Grassland Society of Victoria 35th Annual Conference’. pp. 60–68. (Grasslands Society of Victoria: Parkville, Vic.)
Reed KFM, Nie ZN, Miller S, Hackney BF, Boschma SP, Mitchell ML, Albertsen TO, Clark S, Craig AD, Kearney G, Li GD, Dear BS (2008) Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 1. Establishment and herbage production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 409–423.
| Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 1. Establishment and herbage production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shenk JS, Westerhaus MO (1991) Population definition, sample selection and calibration procedures for near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Crop Science 31, 469–474.
| Population definition, sample selection and calibration procedures for near infrared reflectance spectroscopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Standing Committee on Agriculture (1990) ‘Feeding standards for Australian livestock. Ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
State Chemistry Laboratory (1987) ‘Method 013. Determination of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese in plant material by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy.’ (Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Werribee, Vic.)
Stewart AV (1996) Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) – a potential pasture species. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 58, 77–78.
Tucker WB, Hogue JF, Waterman DF, Swenson TS, Xin Z, Hemken RW, Jackson JA, Adams GD, Spicer LJ (1991) Role of sulphur and chloride in the dietary cation-anion balance equation for lactating dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Science 69, 1205–1213.
van Soest PJ, Wine RH (1967) Use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds. IV. Determination of plant cell wall constituents. Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists 50, 50–55.
Waugh CD, Clark DA, Harris SL, Thom ER, Copeman PJA, Napper AR (1998) Chicory for milk production. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 60, 33–37.
Whitehead DC (1995) ‘Grassland nitrogen.’ (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)
Yemm EW, Willis AJ (1954) The estimation of carbohydrates in plant extracts by anthrone. Biochemistry 57, 508–514.
