Sodium fertilizer application to pasture. 6. Effects of combined applications with sulphur on herbage production and chemical composition in the season of application

Abstract

The effect of sulphur and sodium fertilizers on the response of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) sward was examined over 2 years. Sulphur fertilizer was applied as ammonium sulphate at 0 or 97·5 kg S ha−1 year−1 and sodium fertilizer as sodium nitrate at 0 (nil), 31 (low), 62 (medium) or 94 (high) kg Na ha−1 year−1, with nitrogen input balanced across all treatments. Both sulphur and sodium increased herbage yield. Sodium fertilizer increased herbage sulphur concentration and sulphur fertilizer slightly increased herbage sodium concentration, but there were no major interactions between the two fertilizers on herbage yield or composition in the season of application. Sodium fertilizer increased dry‐matter digestibility, water‐soluble carbohydrate concentration and the live proportion of the herbage. Herbage sodium and magnesium concentrations were increased and potassium concentration decreased by sodium fertilizer. Sulphur fertilizer increased herbage dry‐matter digestibility and water‐soluble carbohydrate concentration. Sulphur and potassium concentrations were also increased and non‐protein nitrogen, magnesium and phosphorus concentrations decreased in response to sulphur fertilizer. It is concluded that, although there was evidence of facilitation of sodium uptake by sulphur fertilizer and vice versa, this was not sufficient to produce synergistic effects on herbage growth in the season of application.