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Yield and Quality Response of Perennial Ryegrass Selected for High Concentration of Water‐Soluble Carbohydrate to Nitrogen Application Rate
Author(s) -
Conaghan Patrick,
O'Kiely Pádraig,
Halling Magnus A.,
O'Mara Frank P.,
Nesheim Lars
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2012.02.0100
Subject(s) - lolium perenne , perennial plant , biology , dry matter , forage , agronomy , cultivar , temperate climate , silage , dactylis glomerata , zoology , fertilizer , poaceae , botany
The expression of elevated water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations in perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) cultivars selected for high forage WSC concentration can be highly variable across environments. Our aim was to determine whether N application rate influences the expression of the high WSC phenotype. Cultivars AberDart (selected for high WSC concentration) and Fennema (control) were evaluated across four fertilizer N application rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha −1 per harvest) over four replicates and 2 yr at Grange, Ireland, and Særheim, Norway. Plots were managed for silage production with four cuts per year in Ireland and three cuts per year in Norway. Nine forage traits were measured: WSC, dry matter digestibility, crude protein, buffering capacity, dry matter, ash, dry matter yield, N use efficiency, and apparent N recovery. The response of AberDart and Fennema to N application rate was predominantly similar within and over years and locations for all traits. Differences between cultivars in WSC concentration were largely consistent across N application rates, years, and locations. AberDart had mean WSC concentrations 8 to 12% higher than Fennema depending on harvest. Present results suggest that the evaluation and selection of perennial ryegrass for high concentrations of WSC in cool‐temperate maritime climates may be conducted across a wide range of N application rates and, by extension, soil N supply rates.