Effect of nitrogen fertilization on the forage production, crude protein content and stocking rate of ryegrass pastures

Authors

  • Mauricio Pase Quatrin Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Clair Jorge Olivo Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Carlos Alberto Agnolin Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Paulo Roberto Machado Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Jéssica Soares Nunes Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Marcos da Rosa Correa Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Patrícia Fernandes Rodrigues Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Vinicius Felipe Bratz Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria
  • Gabriela Descovi Simonetti Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v72n1p21

Keywords:

lactating cows, Lolium multiflorum, rotational stocking

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage production and crude protein content of three ryegrass stands (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Comum) fertilized with 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha in the form of urea from May to October 2012. Five grazing cycles were conducted. Holstein cows (530 kg body weight) supplemented daily with 4.5 kg concentrate were used for the evaluation of ryegrass pasture. Pre- and post-grazing forage mass, the botanical and structural composition of ryegrass, and stocking rate were evaluated. Forage samples were collected by the pasture simulation method for the analysis of crude protein. A completely randomized experimental design consisting of three treatments (N levels) and three repetitions (paddocks) was used. The mean forage production, crude protein content and stocking rate were 4827, 6344 and 6123 kg/ha; 20.17, 21.51 and 22.82%, and 2.3, 2.95 and 3.32 AU/ha for the treatments with 50, 100 and 150 kg N/ha, respectively. The maximum nitrogen level recommended is 100 kg N/ha.

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Published

2015-01-31

Issue

Section

FORAGE CROPS AND PASTURES

How to Cite

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on the forage production, crude protein content and stocking rate of ryegrass pastures. (2015). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 72(1), 21-26. https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v72n1p21

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