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Yield and Percentages of Crude Protein and Green Herbage in Weeping Lovegrass Utilized for Deferred Grazing in Semiarid Argentina¹

Owing to the paucity of information on weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees] accumulated for late fall and winter use a 2-year field trial was conducted to ascertain the effects of N fertilization on yield and two quality indicators. Two levels of N, O, and 70 kg/ha, were used, with urea applied in February. A second experimental variable was time of harvest, with cuts spaced at monthly intervals beginning April 1 and ending Aug. 1. Nitrogen fertilization increased herbage crude protein percentage from 6.7 to 8.5 during winter and resulted in the production of 69% more forage. Relative proportions of green and dead herbage were not affected by N fertilization. Dry-matter yields did not increase after April 1, 1970, but in 1971 maximum yields were not attained until the May harvest. Crude protein percentages were approximately 10 and 13 for the unfertilized and fertilized plots, respectively, at the April 1 harvests, but declined rapidly during April and May. It is concluded that during winter accumulated weeping lovegrass herbage from unfertilized fields is not likely to fill the nutrient requirements of grazing animals under climatic conditions prevailing in the area. Summer N fertilization and, in winter, alternative crops and feed supplementation are suggested as useful means of filling deficits at critical times.

Key Words: Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees • Pasture fertilization • Fall and winter pasture

² Assistant Professors and Visiting Professor (present address, Department of Agronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. 40506), respectively.

Received for publication February 19, 1972.