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Effect of Fertilization on Carrying Capacity and Beef Produced by Napiergrass Pastures 1
Author(s) -
CaroCostas Rubén,
VicenteChandler José
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1961.00021962005300030024x
Subject(s) - acre , forage , human fertilization , agronomy , productivity , beef cattle , nutrient , zoology , biology , environmental science , ecology , macroeconomics , economics
Synopsis Increasing fertilization of steep napiergrass pastures in the humid mountains of Puerto Rico from 600 to 1,800 pounds per acre yearly caused increases (pounds per acre yearly): Of gains in live weight of cattle from 570 to 1,072, of dry forage consumed by cattle from 8,890 to 13,350, and of total digestible nutrients from 4,160 to 7,190. Carrying capacity increased from .95 to 1.64 standard beef cows per acre and protein content of the forage consumed from 8.1 to 15.9%. Increasing fertilization rates to 3,000 pounds did not further increase productivity of the pastures.