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Some Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization on Botanical Composition of a Tall Fescue‐White Clover Sward 1
Author(s) -
Templeton W. C.,
Taylor T. H.
Publication year - 1966
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/agronj1966.00021962005800060005x
Subject(s) - trifolium repens , agronomy , festuca arundinacea , phosphorus , weed , growing season , biology , human fertilization , festuca rubra , legume , hay , red clover , andropogon , grassland , composition (language) , poaceae , chemistry , philosophy , organic chemistry , linguistics
The effects of N, P, and K fertilization on botanical composition of a sward of ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., and ‘Ladino’ white clover, Trifolium repens L., were studied during a period of 4 years. Data were obtained from hand separation of herbage clippings and from visual estimates made immediately prior to clipping 5 to 7 times each growing season. Treatment rankings obtained by the two methods agreed closely. Since hand separations were not made for all treatments or at all harvests, only data from the visual estimates are presented. N consistently decreased the percentage of clover in the sward and often resulted in a higher weed content. The effects of P and K were less consistent than those of N. With respect to clover content, nutrient interactions were statistically significant at most harvests, but, compared with the main effects, these were of minor importance. Interactions exerted less effect on grass and weed percentages than on clover content. The deleterious effects of N on clover were more marked when it was applied in early spring than when used later in the growing season. The data are discussed with respect to problems associated with the maintenance of mixed grass‐legume pastures.