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Influence of N and P on the Yield and Chemical Composition of Quackgrass Growing on an Organic Soil 1
Author(s) -
Schoper R. P.,
Malzer G. L.,
Simkins C. A.
Publication year - 1979
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/agronj1979.00021962007100060033x
Subject(s) - dry matter , agropyron , agronomy , forage , fertilizer , organic matter , yield (engineering) , nitrogen , tonne , phosphorus , human fertilization , zoology , chemistry , biology , ecology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Infestation of pure grass swards by quackgrass ( Agropyron repens L.) has been a problem in grass production on organic soils in northern Minnesota. To determine if these problem areas could be utilized and managed effectively for forage production of quackgrass, trials were established in 1974 to determine the influence of N and P fertilization. In 1975, N and P fertilizer treatments were reapplied to the same plots. In this 2 year study, the effects of 9 N and 5 P treatments were studied on an existing stand of quackgrass on an organic soil in northern Minnesota. Nitrogen at 168 kg/ha significantly increased dry‐matter yields by 62% in the first year, and 66% in the second, with a maximum yield of 6.96 metric tons/ha. Splitting of N applications influenced seasonal forage production, but had no effect on total yield. The percent crude protein ranged from 15.8 to 27.9, and was significantly increased by the application of N. Phosphorus at 50 kg/ha increased dry matter yields by 37% in the first year, and 52% in the second, with a maximum yield of 7.30 metric tons/ha. The application of P fertilizer significantly increased the P concentration of the plant tissue with optimum yields being obtained with tissue P concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 0.41%.