STUDIES ON THE MAGNESIUM STATUS OF GRASSLAND HERBAGE AND ITS POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE IN ANIMAL HEALTH

Various forms of magnesium compounds were applied to grassland managed under modern intensive conditions and the effects on yield and composition of the herbage were measured. Magnesium limestone increased both yield and magnesium content. Commercial magnesite (MgO) increased the magnesium content rapidly and also gave a small increase in yield. An annual dressing of magnesium sulphate had little effect on magnesium content and tended to depress yield after two years.
A marked seasonal effect exists in pasture magnesium content. Increasing the magnesium content had little effect on its distribution within the plant, but it tended to depress calcium and potash.
The results are discussed with special reference to recent research on the magnesium metabolism in dairy cattle.     

THE EFFECT OF WHITE CLOVER, FERTILIZER NITROGEN AND SIMULATED ANIMAL RESIDUES ON YIELD OF GRASSLAND HERBAGE

An experiment is described which measures the effects of white clover, fertilizer nitrogen and simulated animal residues, alone and in all combinations, on total herbage production from a perennial ryegrass sward. Yields of oven-dry herbage and of nitrogen are quoted. Two cuts were taken in the seedling year and four to six in each of three full harvest years.
Yield response to fertilizer nitrogen was similar to that in some other experiments in the U.K., while the beneficial effect of clover on yield was rather greater.
Negative nitrogen ± clover and positive nitrogen ± animal residues interactions were found throughout the yield data. There was a positive clover ± animal residues interaction in the first harvest year (dry-matter yield only), and a negative nitrogen ± clover ± animal residues interaction in the second harvest year.
The results are discussed in relation to other published work and to their application in practice.     

THE EFFECT OF URINE AND ITS COMPONENTS ON THE BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTION OF A GRASS/CLOVER SWARD

A study was made of the effect of sheep urine and some of its components on herbage production. The return of urine to the sward increased production from the grass species; the clover content of the sward was reduced.
The application of nitrogen or potassium fertilizer equivalent to the normal return of nitrogen and potassium in urine increased production, but not as much as urine. The return of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer together increased production and altered botanical composition in much the same way as did urine.
On a grass-dominant urine-treated sward the application of nitrogen fertilizer increased the "efficiency" of urine.
The effect of urine on a grass/clover sward was almost entirely due to its nitrogen and potassium content. The water and indole acetic acid content of urine had no effect on pasture production or composition.     

A COMPARISON OF THE HERBAGE YIELD OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS AND TALL FESCUE MIXTURES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR AFTER SOWING

The annual yield of tall fescue was higher than that of Italian ryegrass in the third year after sowing, but the total yield of herbage from grass plus clover swards was similar.
In both the second and third year after sowing, the yield of herbage in the spring grazing was higher when fescue was used as the sown grass. The method of establishment of both tall fescue and Italian ryegrass affected the total and seasonal yield in the second and third year after sowing, but the magnitude of these effects was not nearly as marked as it was earlier in the life of the leys. In the second year after sowing, swards of both Italian ryegrass and tall fescue had a higher yield of total herbage and of white clover, and a lower ingress of unsown species, when established without a cover crop and grazed frequently in the year of sowing.
The inclusion of red clover did not increase total yield of DM in the second and third year after sowing, and it slightly decreased the yield of the tall fescue mixture in the third year following sowing when N was applied. S170 tall fescue was readily grazed by sheep in spring and autumn.
The apparent recovery of applied N varied with the mixture sown, and the management given during establishment.     

Some effects of added phosphorus on perennial ryegrass—white clover swards

The effect of applying 100kg P ha^-1 per year in the form of triple superphosphate to mixed swards of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) and white clover ( Trifolium repens ) was examined on a soil of low P status.
The dry matter yield of total herbage was increased by 10'/i by added P. In the year of sowing the ryegrass benefited more than the clover from added P: in the subsequent four years the two species benefited equally. Both species responded 10 added P to a similar extent in terms of leaf size; the clover responded less well than the ryegrass in terms of rate of leaf emergence. However, clover responded positively to added P in terms of stolon internode length, length of stolon per m² and number of growing points per m². It is suggested that the application of P may promote the spread of white clover within an open sward, but that its application may not enhance the competitive power of white clover when growing with vigorous grasses.     

Productivity of red clover grown alone and with companion grasses; further studies

Three diploid—Sabtoron, Violetta and Essex—and three tetraploid—Hungaropoly, Teroba and Red Head—red clover cultivars were sown alone and with each of three companion grasses—timothy (S48), tall fescue (S170) and perennial ryegrass (S24). The productivity and persistence of the red clover cultivars were compared. Results obtained over the first four harvest years were presented in an earlier paper (McBratney, 1981) and this paper presents results from the fifth and sixth (final) harvest years.
The low yield obtained in the fifth and sixth year from Essex under each seeding treatment indicated a deterioration in its persistency or vigour or both. In the fifth year the remaining two diploids, Sabtoron and Violetta, were as highly productive and persistent as the three tetraploids but in the sixth year the decrease in productivity was greater in the diploids than in the tetraploids. In the fifth year Teroba, the highest yielder, produced 9 8 t total DM ha⁻¹ over all seeding treatments of which 73% was clover DM; in the sixth year Teroba was again highest yielding, producing 9.3 t ha^−l with 67% clover content. Tall fescue was the most consistent companion grass in the mixed swards, in the sixth year contributing 53% grass DM to the total 8 8 t DM harvested ha⁻¹.
The trial demonstrates the potential of a number of red clover cultivars grown either pure or with a suitable perennial grass to achieve and maintain a high output of herbage of good quality over a period of 6 years without any application of fertilizer N. The practical agricultural implications of using red clover are discussed.     

MAGNESIUM, POTASSIUM, SODTUM AND CALCIUM CONTENTS OF HERBAGE AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZER TREATMENTS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD

Results are given showing the effects of applying nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium on the yield and mitieral composition of herbage cut repeatedly at the silage stage over a 3-year period. Grasses and clovers were separated before analysis. A combination of nitrogen and potassium was essential for the maintenance of high yields. Superphosphate did not increase dry-matter yields. 4 cwt. of common salt was ineffective, even under conditions of acute potassium deficiency; it reduced responses to potash and decreased yields when given with potash.
Ammonium sulphate and common salt greatly increased sodium uptakes and muriate of potash depressed them. Potassium contents were greatly reduced by repeated nitrogen applications and muriate of potash gave consistent and significant increases. Potassium-deficient grasses contained more sodium than potassium.
Ammonium sulphate increased magnesium contents and muriate of potash reduced them. There was a marked tendency for both effects to be more significant in late-season cuts. In late May the effects were small. 22 and 44 Ib. Mg/acre as magnesium sulphate had variable effects on herbage magnesium. These changes are discussed in relation to hypomagnesaemia.
None of the fertilizer treatments altered the calcium contents of either grass or clover.     

Effect of fertilizer nitrogen on six-year-old red clover/perennial grass swards

Three diploid red clover cultivars—Sabtoron, Violetta and Essex—and three tetraploid, Hungaropoly, Teroba and Red Head, were sown separately in pure culture and with each of three companion grasses: timothy (Aberystwyth S48), tall fescue (Aberystwyth S170) and perennial ryegrass (Aberystwyth S24).
The effects of fertilizer N on yield and on clover/grass ratio over a 2-year period (seventh and eighth harvest years) subsequent to 6 harvest years during which no N fertilizer was applied were investigated. The data for productivity and persistence have already been published (McBratney, 1981; 1984).
Application of fertilizer N increased DM yields in the eighth year. In this year, the highest yield, 11·9t ha^-1, averaged over the six clover cultivars, was given in association with tall fescue. Tall fescue contributed 90% of this yield. Clover content continued to decrease in all swards but the decrease was greatest in the swards receiving fertilizer N. The yield of clover DM averaged over the six cultivars under N treatment declined from 5·6t ha^-1 in the seventh year to only 0·4t ha^-1 in the eighth year.
The results from this trial demonstrate the potential of red clover sown either pure or in mixture with a suitable perennial grass, to maintain high output of quality herbage over a 6-year period without the aid of fertilizer N. They further demonstrate that following decline in red clover content, both herbage yield and quality may be restored by the application of N fertilizer, particularly where the clover was seeded with a highly productive companion grass.     

THE EFFECT OF SHEEP EXCRETA AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE BOTANICAL COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTION OF A LEY

Results are presented for the final two years of a previously described experiment.
The return of dung and urine by sheep to a ryegrass/white-clover ley was controlled by suitable harnesses to give four treatments (no dung or urine, dung, urine, dung and urine) which were combined in a replicated factorial design with four levels of nitrogenous fertilizer application (0, 52, 182, 312 1b. N per acre).
Applied nitrogen and urine were the dominant factors affecting botanical composition. The percentage of ryegrass increased and that of clover decreased with the progressive increases in nitrogen application. Volunteer species (mainly Poa spp.) contributed up to 20 per cent by the final year, the maximum occurring under the medium-high nitrogen treatment.
Urine restricted the incursion of weed grasses.
Combined with urine or the full return of excreta, high levels of applied nitrogen increased herbage production by up to 120 per cent. There was little response to dung except at the highest nitrogen level.
The yield response to applied nitrogen was almost linear. In the absence of animal returns response was poor, partly due to shortage of potash. When both excreta were withheld the light nitrogen dressing depressed the annual production compared with the control; where both excreta were returned together with this dressing no reduction occurred in annual yield and the spring yield was improved (p <0.05).     

The effect of strategic fertilizer nitrogen and date of primary harvest on the productivity of a perennial ryegrass/white clover sward

Four management systems involving different dates for first harvest (simulated grazing, early silage, late silage and hay) and two fertilizer N rates in spring (0 and 80 kg ha^-1) were imposed on a perennial ryegrass cv. Talbot/white clover cv. Blanca sward during 1981-82. In each year, annual total herbage DM was increased by spring application of N but white clover production and content in the total herbage were reduced; however, white clover, which was depressed in the harvests immediately after N application, recovered during the season to amounts and contents in the total herbage similar to those given no spring N.
Annual total herbage DM production increased as the date of primary harvest was delayed (935 to 1197 t ha^-1 over two years) but mean organic matter digestibility values for the same period decreased (0-769 to 0700). First-harvest production made up substantial proportions of the annual production in the conservation systems. White clover, as shown by its production and the amount of stolon present, was tolerant of conservation systems, especially with no applied N.
It is concluded that grass/white clover swards are suitable for management systems which involve cutting for conservation. The use of strategic spring N seems a viable option, but more knowledge of rates would be valuable since this experiment only compared 80 kg ha^-1 with no applied N.     

Effect of fertilizers on the yield and chemical composition of pure sown white clover and on soil nutrient status

The effects of three levels of potash, phosphate and lime fertilizers on the yield and mineral content of white clover ( Trifolium repens ) and on soil nutrient levels were studied in a field experiment over 7 years. The aim of the experiment was to define an optimum fertilizer programme for breeding nurseries and experimental fields.
Potash was the main factor limiting production: clover yield was negligible after 2 years where no potassium was applied. Phosphate increased yields after the third year, while liming had no significant effect on clover yield.
The soil potassium status improved with the repeated application of potash over the 7–year period, but no consistent pattern was discernible for the phosphate treatments. There was a slight increase in soil pH with liming.
Application of phosphate increased the phosphorous content of herbage, but had no effect on other plant constituents for the first 2 years. Subsequent applications increased the calcium and sodium contents. Potash reduced the content of all constituents other than potassium as the treatment levels increased. Lime had little effect on plant constituents other than calcium.     

EFFECTS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION OF MIXED SWARDS ON HERBAGE YIELD, DRY MATTER DIGESTIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY FOOD INTAKE OF THE CONSERVED HERBAGES

In 2 experiments nitrogenous fertilizer was applied at 3 levels (0, 46 and 92 lb N/ac) to a permanent pasture and a ryegrass/clover ley and the swards were harvested before ear emergence and conserved as either artificially dried grass or tetrapod hay. Apparent dry matter digestibility and voluntary food intake of the conserved herbages were measured with sheep.
N caused a small but significant depression in apparent DM digestibility but did not affect voluntary food intake. It increased yields of DM and digestible DM significantly.
The DM digestibility and voluntary food intake of hay were always significantly lower than those of the corresponding dried grass. Voluntary food intake of all fodders was directly related to herbage digestibility and inversely related to herbage crude fibre content.     

EFFECTS OF METHOD OF ESTABLISHMENT ON TALL FESCUE AND ITALIAN RYEGRASS MIXTURES IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR

Tall fescue and Italian ryegrass mixtures react differently to management in the year of sowing. The decrease in yield of tall fescue and the increase in growth of red clover, caused by the use of a cover crop, was still evident in the following year. In both the spring grazing and total yield of the first harvest year, the Italian ryegrass/ white clover mixture was better than the tall fescue/white clover mixture when a cover crop was used. The reverse trend was recorded when the grass plus clover was sown without the cereal. In general, the addition of red clover to the tall fescue/ white clover, or Italian ryegrass/white clover mixture, increased the yield, but the magnitude of the increase was modified by management during establishment. The increase in total herbage yield and the reduction of white clover growth due to nitrogen application were both related to management in the year of sowing. Consideration should thus be given to method of establishment in the assessment of herbage seeds mixtures.     

THE EFFECT OF WHITE CLOVER AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE PRODUCTION OF A SWARD

Three-year leys of cocksfoot/white clover and cocksfoot alone were dressed with 0, 35, 105 and 210 lb. N per acre every year to provide information on the effect of clover and N on annual production.
White clover contributed 40% of the dry-matter yield but its presence was responsible for 77% of this yield where no N was used: it was responsible for less than 8%, and contributed 5%, where 210 lb. N per acre was applied annually, lt was estimated that grass alone receiving 160 lb. N per acre would yield as much dry matter as a mixed sward receiving none.
Clover had the indirect effect of raising yield of nitrogen in the companion grass by 60 lb. per acre per year. A maximum of l06 lb. was recorded in 1958.
The response of the tnixed sward averaged 10 lb. of dry matter per lb. N. Prevailing economic circumstances will determine if this level is satisfactory in practice.
The recovery of N by grass alone varied from 54% at the lowest level of N to 80% at the highest. On mixed swards apparent recovery was negative or low: N was to a large extent only replacing the effect of clover which was suppressed by its use.
Factors influencing response and the difference between that obtained under experimental and practical conditions are discussed.
The use of N to produce out-of-season grass may give good response, but may cause a reduction in clover contribution.     

The influence of fertilizer nitrogen, white clover content and environmental factors on the nitrate content of perennial ryegrass and ryegrass/white clover swards

In a field experiment carried out over 3 years, the nitrate content of herbage from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) swards increased exponentially with nitrogen application rate, but herbage nitrate content appeared to reach potentially dangerous concentrations only when nitrogen application rates were greater than those needed to stimulate dry-matter production. Thus, on average over all the harvests, maximum yield could be obtained with annual application rates of 400 kg N ha^–1 (six applications of 67 kg N ha^–1) for perennial ryegrass and 300 kg N ha^–1 (six applications of 50 kg N ha^–1) for perennial ryegrass/white clover (Trifolium repens) swards, whereas the mean nitrate concentrations were 3340 and 2929 mg NO₃ kg^–1 dry matter (DM) respectively. Nitrate content, however, varied considerably from harvest to harvest, reaching maxima of 9345 mg NO₃ kg^–1 DM at 400 kg N ha^–1 for perennial ryegrass and 6255 mg NO₃ kg^–1 DM at 300 kg N ha^–1 for perennial ryegrass/white clover. The nitrate content of herbage from perennial ryegrass/white clover swards was always greater than that of perennial ryegrass swards receiving the same rate of nitrogen application, even though in the herbage from the mixed sward the nitrate content of white clover was usually less than half that of the perennial ryegrass component. The physical environment did not have a clearly interpretable effect on nitrate content, although herbage harvested in May had a much lower nitrate content than that harvested at any other time of the season. It was not possible to find a single multiple regression equation relating herbage nitrate content to nitrogen application and to other environmental variables that explained more than 60% of the variance in herbage nitrate, but it is suggested that, by reducing the later-season nitrogen applications from 67 to 50 and finally to 33 kg N ha^–1 for perennial ryegrass and from 50 to 33 kg N ha^–1 for perennial ryegrass/white clover, it would be possible to achieve over 90% of the maximum yield while reducing average nitrate content to <40% of that at maximum yield, with no samples containing more than 2300 mg NO₃ kg ^–1 DM.     

THE EFFECT OF A RYEGRASS COMPANION GRASS AND THE VARIETY OF RED CLOVER ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RED-CLOVER SWARDS

An experiment was conducted to measure the effects of differrat ryegrass companion grasses and red-clover varieties on the productivity of red-clover swards. Three silage harvests per year were taken over a 2-year period. The addition of a companion grass increased total herbage yields; S24 perennial ryegrass gave the highest herbage yield over the two years, followed by Reveille perennial ryegrass. Because of lack of persistence, Tetila Italian ryegrass yielded poorly the second year. A companion grass had little effect on red-clover yields in the mixed swards but improved percentage digestibility of the OM of the total herbage and lowered the CP percentage. Its presence also reduced the ingress of unsown species. The variety of red clover used had little effect on total herbage yields or red-clover yields in the first harvest year. In the second year, Hungaropoly and Tilo persisted better and so gave higher total herbage yields and red-clover yields than Dorset Marl or Essex. The fall in total herbage yields from the first to the second year was entirely due to a fall in red-clover yield since yields of the ‘non-red clover’ fraction of the total herbage increased. A red-clover/grass sward may have advantages over a pure red-clover sward nutritionally, for silage-making and for its effect in diluting the oestrogenic activity of a pure clover sward. A major reappraisal of the role and potential of red-clover swards in the UK is warranted because of their many valuable attributes, particularly their ability to give high herbage yields of high nutritive value without the addition of fertilizer N. The improved persistency of some of the tetraploid varieties of red clover enhances the value of the plant.     

SOME EFFECTS ON THE YIELDS OF RYEGRASS STRAINS OF VARYING THE GROWING TECHNIQUE AND THE CONDITIONS OF MANAGEMENT

The effects are reported of varying the growing technique, and the conditions of management, on green and air-dry yields of herbage from five strains of ryegrass during 1952 and 1953. All strains were grown in three ways: as spaced plants, in drill-rows and in stands broadcast with white clover. There were two experiments, one managed for hay and aftermath, the other cut more frequently.
In both experiments the broadcast plots reached their peak of herbage production first; the spaced plants took longest. There were considerable differences in the seasonal distribution of yields from the different growing techniques during the first harvest year. In 1953, the differences were smaller but the secondary annual peak of herbage production observed in the broadcast plots was not detected in the spaced plants.
The total annual production per unit area was greatest from the broadcast, and least from spaced-plant plots. Yields on certain occasions, however, were greatest from spaced plants and least from broadcast areas.
The effects of varying the conditions of management were greatest on population samples sown broadcast and least on those growing as spaced plants, their reaction when grown in drills being intermediate.
Differences in plant population in the various growing techniques are discussed in relation to the above results.     

The effect of fertilizer nitrogen rate, white clover variety and closeness of cutting on herbage productivity from perennial ryegrass/white clover swards

Four varieties of white clover (small-leaved cv. Aberystwyth S184. medium-leaved cv. Grasslands Huia and large-leaved cvs Linda and Olwen) were sown at 3 kg ha^-1 together with 10 kg ha^-1 perennial ryegrass cv. Talbot. Herbage productivity was measured for three harvest years, 1979-81, over four annual rates of fertilizer N (0,120,240 and 360 kg ha^-1) and two closeness of cutting treatments (80 and 40 mm from ground level). A simulated grazing regime of six cuts per year at 3- to 6-week intervals was used.
Production of total herbage DM was increased by increasing N rate; mean annual DM production ranged from 783 1 ha^-1 with no N to 11701 ha^-1 at 360 kg ha^-1 N. Mean herbage response to N (kg DM per kg N applied) was 73,90 and 108 for the three successive N increments relative to no N. Mean white clover DM production was reduced from 4 14t ha^-1 with no N to 051 t ha^-1 at 360 kg ha^-1 N.
The large-leaved clover varieties were more productive than the small- or medium-leaved varieties at all N rates. Close cutting increased total herbage and white clover by a mean annual 16% and 31%. respectively. White clover varieties did not interact with either N rate or closeness of cutting.
It is concluded that repetitive N application over the growing season is incompatible with white clover persistence and production, even with large-leaved clover varieties or with close cutting, two factors which improved clover performance in the experimental swards.     

Out-of-season management of grass/clover swards to manipulate clover content

Two experiments are described in which the effect of grazing or defoliating mixed swards at different times over winter and spring on clover content and development was investigated. In the first experiment swards were grazed with sheep (to about 3 cm) for a short period in (a) November, (b) November, January and March, (c) March or (d) not at all, in three consecutive years. All swards were grazed intermittently during the grazing season with cattle and cut for silage once each year. Each plot received either 0 or 50 kg N ha^?1 in March. The effect of N fertilizer was to reduce clover content in each summer and clover growing point density in the third year. In two of the three years, treatments involving grazing in March had lower subsequent net annual herbage accumulation compared with the other two treatments and higher clover content in summer of the third year. Reduction in growing point density in all plots during the grazing season was associated with cattle grazing when conditions were wet, suggesting that stolon burial was implicated. Grazing with sheep in November, January and March resulted in significantly more visible (when counted in situ) clover growing points in April in year 2 and more total growing points (counted after dissection of turves) in the third year than the November grazed and ungrazed treatments which had, on occasions, higher grass tiller density. In a microplot experiment, high herbage mass standing over winter was associated with lower potential photosynthesis per unit clover lamina area and lower growing point density in March. Cutting herbage in March to 2-3 cm resulted in higher clover content and higher growing point number per unit stolon length. The latter was significantly correlated with total irradiance and red: far red at the canopy base. Potential photosynthesis of clover was not affected by cutting in March. It is concluded that growing point density can be increased by grazing or cutting during winter or spring. However, in order for these new stolons to contribute to clover yield during the summer, they have to be maintained until then by ensuring that competition from grass is minimized by keeping the sward short in winter and spring and avoiding the burial of stolons during grazing.     

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS FORMS OF NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF A PERENNIAL RYEGRASS / WHITE CLOVER SWARD IN EARLY SPRING

The effect of 4 or 5 forms of nitrogenous fertilizer on the yield and botanical composition of a perennial ryegrass/white clover sward was examined in 3 different years. The uptake of N by the grass was also estimated. Ammonium nitrate (as Nitro-Chalk), ammonium sulphate and urea gave similar yield increases, although in one year, when high rainfall followed the application of fertilizer, urea was slightly inferior. Gas liquor gave variable responses in the 3 years. Nitroform, a urea-formaldehyde, was generally less effective than the other forms of fertilizer. The uptake of N from Nitro-Chalk, sulphate of ammonia and urea did not vary greatly from year to year although the uptake of soil N by the untreated control did.
Response to N in the yield of dry-matter varied from year to year. This variation was due partly to differences in the amount of clover present and partly to differences in the extent to which N taken up by the grass was used for the synthesis of dry-matter.
The white clover content of the sward was not greatly reduced in spring by the application of the fertilizer, and there were no consistent differences between the effects on clover of the forms of the fertilizer. A reduction was apparent in the summer but not in the autumn.
It may be necessary to increase replication above the level of 3 to 6 which is frequently employed in field experiments if more precise quantitative estimates of response and of the relative efficiency of various forms of nitrogenous fertilizer are required.