Publication Date
1989
Description
More than 50 % of enclosed grassland in Britain comprises swards older than 20 years. There is much variation both in fertiliser inputs and in stocking rates, with the trend for increased intensity in use over the last 40 years now being succeeded by increased concern for nature conservation and the protection of the environment. In some areas financial incentives are given for the adoption of management practices intended to increase sward botanical diversity, but there is little information on the rates of change in botanical diversity and production as the management of an old sward is changed with either higher or lower fertiliser inputs. This paper presents results from two experiments examining the effects on productivity and sward composition of varying levels of fertiliser input on old permanent grassland in Britain.
Citation
Wilkins, R J.; Hopkins, A; Kirkham, F W.; Sargent, C; Mountford, O; Dibb, C; and Gilbey, J, "Effects of Changes in Fertilizer use on the Composition and Productivity of Permanent Grassland in Relation to Agricultural Production and Floristic Diversity" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 53.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session1/53
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Changes in Fertilizer use on the Composition and Productivity of Permanent Grassland in Relation to Agricultural Production and Floristic Diversity
More than 50 % of enclosed grassland in Britain comprises swards older than 20 years. There is much variation both in fertiliser inputs and in stocking rates, with the trend for increased intensity in use over the last 40 years now being succeeded by increased concern for nature conservation and the protection of the environment. In some areas financial incentives are given for the adoption of management practices intended to increase sward botanical diversity, but there is little information on the rates of change in botanical diversity and production as the management of an old sward is changed with either higher or lower fertiliser inputs. This paper presents results from two experiments examining the effects on productivity and sward composition of varying levels of fertiliser input on old permanent grassland in Britain.
