Effect of Applied Fertilizer on Tifton 44 Bermudagrass
1990
Thom, W. O. | Rice, H. B. | Collins, M. | Morrison, R. M.
Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) production in the U.S. transitional climatic zone could potentially supplement cool-season grass production in the summer. Information is needed regarding the effects of fertilizers on yields, nutrient composition, and forage quality as a basis for fertilizer recommendations. ‘Tifton 44’ bermudagrass was evaluated on a Pope silt loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, mesic Fluventic Dystrochrept) in eastern Kentucky to determine: (i) yield response to varying rates of fertilizer; (ii) effects of applied fertilizer on forage composition and quality; and (iii) the effects of fertilization on soil test values. Forage dry matter yields averaged more than 14 000 lb/acre for the 5-yr study when N was applied at 240 lb/acre (268 kg/ha) or higher. Forage N and K concentrations were increased by increasing application rates of their respective fertilizer materials. Digestibility estimates were acceptable although fiber content was higher than has been reported for bermudagrass. Measurements made at the end of the first and last years of the study indicated that soil pH decreased over this period with increasing fertilizer rates, soil test P increased with increasing P fertilization, and soil test K was maintained when 896 lb K/acre were applied over 4 yr.
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