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Response of Coastal Bermudagrass Yield and Nutrient Uptake Efficiency to Nitrogen Sources
Nitrogen is an important agronomic input for bermudagrass production in the southern USA. Fertilizers that can efficiently provide N to grass pastures and hay meadows are an important issue because of increasing costs and environmental problems associated with N losses. This experiment was designed...
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Published in: | Agronomy journal 2007-05, Vol.99 (3), p.707-714 |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Nitrogen is an important agronomic input for bermudagrass production in the southern USA. Fertilizers that can efficiently provide N to grass pastures and hay meadows are an important issue because of increasing costs and environmental problems associated with N losses. This experiment was designed to determine the effectiveness of various N sources on 'Coastal' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] production and N uptake efficiency. Nitrogen was applied at 0, 45, 90, and 135 kg ha-1 harvest-1 as urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN), urea, ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulfate (AS) on Gallime (Glossic Paleudalf) and Lilbert (Plinthic Paleudult) soils. Mixtures of S with UAN and of Ca and B with urea were also evaluated. Bermudagrass was periodically harvested and subsampled for total N analysis. At termination of the study soil samples were collected for pH and extractable NO3-N analyses. Bermudagrass yield responses to N sources were significant only in the Gallime soil. In this soil, AN and AS increased yields and resulted in greater N uptake compared to urea and UAN. Lilbert soil showed no effect of N sources on dry matter (DM) production. There was a yield response to N rates and maximum bermudagrass production was generally achieved at the 90 kg ha-1 N rate regrowth-1. Fertilizer efficiency declined as the N rate was increased. Soil acidity increased in response to N application, particularly for the AS treatments. Selection of N sources and rates should be carefully planned to avoid detrimental effects on soil acidity and, consequently, fertilizer efficiency. |
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ISSN: | 0002-1962 1435-0645 |
DOI: | 10.2134/agronj2006.0200 |