Assessing the Effect of N and P Supply on Dry Matter Yield of Three Tropical Grasses

The objectives are to study the effects of N and P supply and their interaction, on herbage dry matter yield and nutrient status of three tropical grasses. In order to estimate direct and indirect effects of P supply we express above-ground dry matter production as a function of the herbage nutrient status obtained from plant analysis. Results show that in absence of N, the significant increase in P nutrition status has only moderate consequences on herbage production and suggest that both N and P are limitant for herbage growth. P fertilization results in significant increase in dry matter yield only when N limitation is suppressed as well.