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Yield, Digestibility, and Nutritive Value of Crabgrass as Impacted by Nitrogen Fertilization Rate and Source
Author(s) -
Teutsch Chris D.,
Fike John H.,
Mac Tilson W.
Publication year - 2005
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/agronj2005.0047
Subject(s) - forage , agronomy , randomized block design , zoology , nitrogen , yield (engineering) , ammonium nitrate , poultry litter , grazing , biology , mathematics , chemistry , nutrient , ecology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Crabgrass ( Digitaria spp.), a summer annual grass capable of self reseeding, could provide high quality grazing, but little is known about its management in the mid‐Atlantic region. This study evaluated the effects of N fertilizer rates and sources on crabgrass yield and nutritive value. Plots were established in late spring of 2001–2003 near Blackstone, VA. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a factorial treatment arrangement and four replications. Nitrogen rates ranging from 0 to 336 kg ha −1 were applied in 56‐kg intervals at seeding as ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 ) or broiler litter. Plots were harvested twice in 2001 and three times in 2002 and 2003. Yield increased with N rate for all harvests. Over years and N sources, seasonal yield ranged from 4.2 to 9.8 Mg ha −1 . Maximum yield occurred at 300 kg N ha −1 . Nitrogen source had little effect on yield but dramatically impacted forage nitrate levels. Over years and N sources mean in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) for first, second, and final harvests were 880, 871, and 786 g kg −1 . In 2001 and 2003, first harvest IVTD was negatively correlated with N rate, but positively related at second harvest. Nitrogen source had little effect on IVTD. Over years, N rates, and N sources, CP concentrations at first, second, and final harvests were 105, 105, and 76 g kg −1 . These data indicate that crabgrass is a productive and nutritious forage, and that readily available organic N sources such as broiler litter could be effectively utilized for its production.