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FORAGE & GRAZING LANDS

Fresh versus Field-Cured Grass Quality, Mineral, and Nitrate Concentration at Different Nitrogen Rates

USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA 50011

* Corresponding author (singer{at}nstl.gov)

Determining the extent of change in fresh versus field-cured grass hay quality, mineral, and NO₃-N concentrations under rain-free conditions provides valuable information to hay producers. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of fresh vs. field-cured forage on crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), P, K, Ca, and NO_-3-N concentrations of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.), and to determine if interactions with N rate exist. At the low N rate in 1999 and 2000, orchardgrass CP in fresh and field-cured forage, NDF, and TDN concentrations were different. Orchardgrass P and K concentrations were lower in field-cured compared with fresh forage, but differences were inconsistent across N rates. In contrast, smooth bromegrass K (23 vs. 27 g kg^-1) and Ca (4.3 vs. 6.2 g kg^-1) concentrations were greater in field-cured compared with fresh forage in 1999 across N rates. Tissue NO_-3-N concentration was greater in field-cured orchardgrass at all N rates and at the low N rate in smooth bromegrass in 1999. Interactions between N rate and fresh vs. field-cured smooth bromegrass were detected for all variables in 1999 and orchardgrass K concentration in 2000. These results demonstrate that changes in grass quality, mineral, and tissue NO_-3-N concentrations occur under rain-free field curing conditions. Consequently, forage scientists conducting research on grass hay quality indices and mineral content should sample subsequent to field-curing to provide accurate results.

Abbreviations: CP, crude protein • DM, dry matter • NDF, neutral detergent fiber • TDN, total digestible nutrients

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This issue in Crop science

Crop Science 2002 42: 1393-1395. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. W. Singer and K. J. Moore Nitrogen Removal by Orchardgrass and Smooth Bromegrass and Residual Soil Nitrate Crop Sci., July 1, 2003; 43(4): 1420 - 1426. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]