Tall Fescue Response to Placement of Urea/Ammonium Nitrate Solution

Abstract

AbstractSeveral studies have shown that cool‐season grasses may respond more to subsurface (knife) applications of fluid fertilizer than to surface applications. However, optimum depth of knife application has not been clearly identified. A field study was conducted from 1984 to 1986 to determine the effects of 5‐, 10‐, and 15‐cm knife and surface band (dribble) and broadcast applications of urea/NH4NO3 solution at 84 and 168 kg N ha−1 on forage yield and N use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and on soil N levels. The soil is a Parsons silt loam (fine, mixed, thermic Mollic Albaqualf). In 1985 and 1986, 168 kg N ha−1 resulted in higher final forage yields than 84 kg N ha−1. Knife applications at 10 cm generally resulted in the highest forage yield, though not always significantly higher than other placements. Knife placement at 15 cm resulted in lower N uptake in early grass clippings (intermediate harvests), compared with surface and shallower knife applications. The N concentration, N uptake in the final spring harvest, and apparent fertilizer‐N recovery by the forage were usually increased by 10‐cm placement. Knife applications of N at or below 10 cm resulted in higher inorganic soil N concentrations at intermediate harvests than did surface applications.