Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Initially vigorous improved grass pastures sown without legume in cleared forest country decline in productivity within five years. Perennial grass pastures become nitrogen (N) deficient with time because N accumlates in less available forms of plant and microbial origin and because additional mineralization of humic N does not occur. Rundown pastures can be rejuvenated by applying N fertilizer but more economical renovation options are sought. Options evaluated in this experiment were-disc ploughing once, 3-month cultivated fallow and resow, discing and oversowing a legume, N fertilizer and spring burning. In old buffel grass ( Cenchrus ciliaris) pastures large reserves of N were found in roots (207 kg N/ha/30 cm) and soil microbial biomass (152 kg N/ha/30 cm). Pasture production was increased 57% and N uptake in grass tops increased 50% when buffel grass was resown after a 3-month cultivated fallow. Other treatments, except N fertilizer, were ineffective. Cultivation reduced the size of the root and microbial biomass N pool and enhanced N availability to resown grass. Litter was not an important component in this experiment.
Citation
Graham, T.W G.; Myers, R.J K.; Doran, J W.; Catchpoole, V R.; and Robbins, G B., "Pasture Renovation: The Effect of Cultivation on the Productivity and Nitrogen Cycling of a Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) Pasture" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 76.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/76)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Pasture Renovation: The Effect of Cultivation on the Productivity and Nitrogen Cycling of a Buffel Grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) Pasture
Kyoto Japan
Initially vigorous improved grass pastures sown without legume in cleared forest country decline in productivity within five years. Perennial grass pastures become nitrogen (N) deficient with time because N accumlates in less available forms of plant and microbial origin and because additional mineralization of humic N does not occur. Rundown pastures can be rejuvenated by applying N fertilizer but more economical renovation options are sought. Options evaluated in this experiment were-disc ploughing once, 3-month cultivated fallow and resow, discing and oversowing a legume, N fertilizer and spring burning. In old buffel grass ( Cenchrus ciliaris) pastures large reserves of N were found in roots (207 kg N/ha/30 cm) and soil microbial biomass (152 kg N/ha/30 cm). Pasture production was increased 57% and N uptake in grass tops increased 50% when buffel grass was resown after a 3-month cultivated fallow. Other treatments, except N fertilizer, were ineffective. Cultivation reduced the size of the root and microbial biomass N pool and enhanced N availability to resown grass. Litter was not an important component in this experiment.
