Publication Date
1997
Description
Nitrogen fertiliser responses, on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) / white clover (Trifolium repens) dominant pastures, are compared between sub-tropical South Africa and temperate Australia. The data highlight the similarity in inflection point of the response curve, while emphasising the influence of high residual soil N at lower N application rates. The propensity of communities to oscillate between extremes in terms of N fertiliser use on intensive pasture, or the ‘Pendulum Paradigm’ is discussed. Particular reference is made to the dramatic increase in N fertiliser use in dairy pasture of temperate Australia and New Zealand. Emphasis is given on the potential to achieve the best of both N-fixation, during the warm season, and the strategic application of N fertiliser, during times when clover growth is limited by low temperature.
Citation
Eckard, R J.; McKenzie, F R.; and Lane, P A., "The 'Pendulum Paradigm' - Trends in Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Temperate Grass/ Clover Pastures" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 8.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session30/8
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The 'Pendulum Paradigm' - Trends in Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Temperate Grass/ Clover Pastures
Nitrogen fertiliser responses, on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) / white clover (Trifolium repens) dominant pastures, are compared between sub-tropical South Africa and temperate Australia. The data highlight the similarity in inflection point of the response curve, while emphasising the influence of high residual soil N at lower N application rates. The propensity of communities to oscillate between extremes in terms of N fertiliser use on intensive pasture, or the ‘Pendulum Paradigm’ is discussed. Particular reference is made to the dramatic increase in N fertiliser use in dairy pasture of temperate Australia and New Zealand. Emphasis is given on the potential to achieve the best of both N-fixation, during the warm season, and the strategic application of N fertiliser, during times when clover growth is limited by low temperature.
