Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Grass tetany has caused the death of beef cattle grazing Kentucky-31 (KY-31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacae Schreb) fertilized with high rates of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and potassium chloride (KCl), or with broiler litter. A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of fertilization on the chemical composition of the forage. The addition of either inorganic fertilizer or broiler litter markedly increased concentrations of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the plants. Fertilization with 448 kg N/ha markedly increased the concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and, to a lesser extent, calcium (Ca) in the plants. Fertilization with broiler litter markedly increased the Mg concentrations. Additions of either NH4NO3 or broiler litter greatly increased the malate concentrations and, to a lesser extent, the citrate concentrations. Concentrations of total organic acids were also increased. The high N and K concentrations in tall fescue fertilized with high rates of N and K, or high rates of broiler litter would make the forage likely to cause grass tetany. The increased·organic acid concentrations in these plants might also contribute to some of the problems observed when cattle are grazed on fertilized tall fescue forage.
Citation
Grunes, D L.; Wilkinson, S R.; Joo, P K.; Jackson, W A.; and Patterson, R P., "Effect of Fertilization on the Grass Tetany Potential and Organic Acid Composition of Tall Fescue" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 26.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/26)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effect of Fertilization on the Grass Tetany Potential and Organic Acid Composition of Tall Fescue
Kyoto Japan
Grass tetany has caused the death of beef cattle grazing Kentucky-31 (KY-31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacae Schreb) fertilized with high rates of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and potassium chloride (KCl), or with broiler litter. A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of fertilization on the chemical composition of the forage. The addition of either inorganic fertilizer or broiler litter markedly increased concentrations of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in the plants. Fertilization with 448 kg N/ha markedly increased the concentrations of magnesium (Mg) and, to a lesser extent, calcium (Ca) in the plants. Fertilization with broiler litter markedly increased the Mg concentrations. Additions of either NH4NO3 or broiler litter greatly increased the malate concentrations and, to a lesser extent, the citrate concentrations. Concentrations of total organic acids were also increased. The high N and K concentrations in tall fescue fertilized with high rates of N and K, or high rates of broiler litter would make the forage likely to cause grass tetany. The increased·organic acid concentrations in these plants might also contribute to some of the problems observed when cattle are grazed on fertilized tall fescue forage.
