Nitrogen Fertilization Effect on Phosphorus Remediation Potential of Three Perennial Warm‐Season Forages

Warm‐season C 4 grasses are capable of removing excess soil nutrients because of their high yield potential and nutrient uptake efficiency. Bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flügge), limpograss [ Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & Hubb], and stargrass ( Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst), three commonly used pasture grasses in South‐Central Florida, were grown to examine the effect of increasing N rates on herbage production and soil P removal. Nitrogen was applied at rates of 67, 90, and 134 kg N ha −1 harvest −1 , representing 1, 1.3, and 2 times the recommended N fertilizer application rate for hay production. During 3 yr of evaluation, all three grasses showed a positive P‐removal potential that increased with increasing N fertilizer application. Phosphorus removed by forages over the 3‐yr period for the highest N application rate was 106, 132, and 147 kg ha −1 for limpograss, bahiagrass, and stargrass, respectively. Mehlich 1 extractable P from the Ap horizon of all plots decreased by as much as 80% of the initial P load over the study period; only ∼15 to 17% of which appeared to leach to subsurface horizons. Nitrogen application enhanced P uptake and consequently reduced P transport to deep (>13 cm) soil depths. These data indicate that stargrass, bahiagrass, and limpograss managed intensively for hay production represent effective options in removing excess soil P from P‐impacted sites.