Forage yield and quality response of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) to different water and nitrogen levels

Abstract

Water and nitrogen shortages in annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) production can be improved by using proper irrigation and nitrogen scheduling methods. The aim of this research was to analyse the effect of water and nitrogen application on dry matter production and forage quality of annual ryegrass. Treatments consisted of three irrigation levels, scheduling application to field capacity once every two weeks (W1), once a week (W2) or twice a week (W3), and three nitrogen (N) levels, top-dressing after each harvest at a rate of 0 (N1), 30 (N2) or 60 (N3) kg N h−1 cycle−1. Yield increased as a function of the amount of water and nitrogen fertiliser applied. The dry matter (DM) content, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), crude protein (CP) and metabolisable energy (ME) were higher in the treatments being irrigated once every two weeks. These results conclude that higher irrigation coupled with high N application significantly improved the dry matter yield, while water stress, to some extent, did improve the quality of the pasture by increasing the DM content, IVOMD, CP and ME values.