Effect of liming on dry matter yield, chemical composition and digestibility of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
1992
Cussen, Robert | Pichard, Gaston | Sanchez, Felipe (Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago (Chile). Fac. de Agronomia)
The effect of liming upon the productivity of perennial ryegrass sown in volcanic acid soils of Osorno series (Dystrandepts) was studied using 6 rates of calcium carbonate applied prior to sowing in a single dose of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10 t ha-1. Over three years periodical samples of soil and herbage were obtained and soil pH, contents of soil Ca and Al, dry matter yield, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were measured. The result showed that liming increased the Ca level and depressed the Al content in the soil, and this effect was proportional to the dose applied. This was only observed in the first 10 cm soil depth, and there was no effect in the 10 to 20 cm layer. The liming effect was considerably diminished by the end of the experimental period, and only the doses greater than 6 t ha-1 maintained some of the benefit. The actual levels of soil pH, Ca and Al were significantly affected by sampling season. Dry matter yield and the herbage content of Ca, Al, P, Mg and Mn were not affected by liming. Dry matter content in spring increased with lime application and the digestibility values were smaller for the control without application than for the other treatments. Dry matter content in autumn, organic matter, crude protein and cell wall content in the herbage were not affected by lime application. It was concluded than liming did not affect the productive characteristics of perennial ryegrass in these acid soils
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