Comparative productivity of irrigated short-term ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture receiving nitrogen, grown alone or in a mixture with white (Trifolium repens) and Persian (T. resupinatum) clovers
K. F. Lowe A H , W. J. Fulkerson B , R. G. Walker A , J. D. Armour C , T. M. Bowdler A , K. Slack D , R. I. Knight E , P. W. Moody F and P. M. Pepper GA Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Mutdapilly Research Station, MS 825, Peak Crossing, Qld 4306, Australia.
B University of Sydney, Private Bag 3, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
C Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
D NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar Agricultural Institute, Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar, NSW 2477, Australia.
E Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Kairi Research Station, PO Box 27, Kairi, Qld 4872, Australia.
F Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Meiers Road, Indooroopilly, Qld 4067, Australia.
G Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Animal Research Institute, Locked Bag 4, Moorooka, Qld 4105, Australia.
H Corresponding author. Email: kevin.lowe@dpi.qld.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(1) 21-39 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03105
Submitted: 25 May 2003 Accepted: 8 February 2004 Published: 21 February 2005
Abstract
Dairy farms in subtropical Australia use irrigated, annually sown short-term ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) or mixtures of short-term ryegrass and white (Trifolium repens) and Persian (shaftal) (T. resupinatum) clover during the winter–spring period in all-year-round milk production systems. A series of small plot cutting experiments was conducted in 3 dairying regions (tropical upland, north Queensland, and subtropical southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales) to determine the most effective rate and frequency of application of nitrogen (N) fertiliser. The experiments were not grazed, nor was harvested material returned to the plots, after sampling.
Rates up to 100 kg N/ha.month (as urea or calcium ammonium nitrate) and up to 200 kg N/ha every 2 months (as urea) were applied to pure stands of ryegrass in 1991. In 1993 and 1994, urea, at rates up to 150 kg N/ha.month and to 200 kg N/ha every 2 months, was applied to pure stands of ryegrass; urea, at rates up to 50 kg N/ha.month, was also applied to ryegrass–clover mixtures.
The results indicate that applications of 50–85 kg N/ha.month can be recommended for short-term ryegrass pastures throughout the subtropics and tropical uplands of eastern Australia, irrespective of soil type. At this rate, dry matter yields will reach about 90% of their potential, forage nitrogen concentration will be increased, there is minimal risk to stock from nitrate poisoning and there will be no substantial increase in soil N. The rate of N for ryegrass–clover pastures is slightly higher than for pure ryegrass but, at these rates, the clover component will be suppressed. However, increased ryegrass yields and higher forage nitrogen concentrations will compensate for the reduced clover component. At application rates up to 100 kg N/ha.month, build-up of NO3–-N and NH4+-N in soil was generally restricted to the surface layers (0–20 cm) of the soil, but there was a substantial increase throughout the soil profile at 150 kg N/ha.month. The build-up of NO3–-N and NH4+-N was greater and was found at lower rates on the lighter soil compared with heavy clays. Generally, most of the soil N was in the NO3–-N form and most was in the top 20 cm.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial contribution of the Queensland and NSW Departments of Primary Industries and Dairy Australia, formerly the Dairy Research and Development Corporation. The authors also acknowledge the contribution of the staff of Mutdapilly and Kairi Research Stations for the day to day management of the experimental areas and that of George and Lorraine Clarke and Sam and Fleur Tonge for providing facilities on their Dobies Bight (near Casino) farms. M. J. Dwyer, D. C. Wiffen and D. E. Rowan from DPI Mareeba assisted in the soil sampling and conducted the chemical analyses. R. H. Bryant provided technical assistance at Casino.
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