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https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/395
Title: | Low nitrogen fertiliser rates and stage of maturity influence nitrogen fractionation and in vitro ruminal nitrogen degradability in tropical grasses. | Authors: | Mlambo, Victor. School of Agricultural Sciences |
Keywords: | Brachiaria hybrid.;Buffer soluble nitrogen.;Megathyrsus maximus.;Paspalum atratum. | Issue Date: | 2021 | Publisher: | Taylor & Francis | Abstract: | This study evaluated the interactive effects of low rates (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha−1) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application and stage of maturity on total N, N fractions and in vitro ruminal N degradability in Brachiaria hybrid, Megathyrsus maximus and Paspalum atratum. The grasses were harvested at 4, 8 and 12 weeks regrowth, except for P. atratum that was harvested at 6 and 12 weeks. There was a significant N fertilizer rate × stage of maturity interaction (p < 0.001) on total N, buffer soluble N (BSN), buffer insoluble N (BISN), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN) and in vitro ruminal N degradability (ND) in all grass species. Total N, BISN and in vitro ruminal N degradability increased linearly with N fertilizer rate up to 50 kg ha−1 in Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus and were highest in grasses harvested at 4 weeks maturity. Nitrogen fertilization rate was positively correlated with total N, BISN (r = 0.70 to 0.97) and ND (r = 0.60 to 0.98) in Brachiaria hybrid and M. maximus forage. We concluded that N fertilisation rate of 50 kg ha−1 per application interval is adequate to improve N, N fractions and N degradability of tropical grass forage. | Description: | Please note that only UMP researchers are shown in the metadata. To access the co-authors, please view the full text. | URI: | https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/395 | DOI: | 10.2989/10220119.2021.1931446 |
Appears in Collections: | Journal articles |
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Low-nitrogen-fertiliser-rates-and-stage-of-maturity-influence-nitrogen-fractionation-and-in-vitro-ruminal-nitrogen-degradability-in-tropical-grasses..pdf Until 2050-01-03 | 620.2 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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