Abstract
AbstractSmooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) pastures were fertilized with anhydrous ammonia at 0, 112, 224, and 448 kg N/ha to determine the effectiveness of anhydrous ammonia as an N fertilizer on pastures and to determine the effect of high rates of N fertilization on seasonal trends in percent nitrate nitrogen (NO3‐N) and percent in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) of pasture herbage. A rotational grazing system was used with four tester animals per paddock. Additional animals were available, when needed, to graze the excess herbage.Anhydrous ammonia was as effective in increasing animal production per hectare as was ammonium nitrate at the same application rate. Nitrate‐N concentrations as high as 0.25% were obtained in early spring with the highest N application rates. No animal disorders were observed. Level of N fertilization had no effect on percent IVDMD. Both percent IVDMD and percent NO3‐N were high in early spring, declined during the initial portion of the grazing season, and then increased during the later part of the season. Nitrogen fertilization affected the seasonal trend in NO3‐N but not in percent IVDMD.
Published Version
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