| Abstract: | Abstract The use of kochia (Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad.) as a forage crop has recently generated considerable interest, but little is known about how fertilization affects yield and quality. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted; the first with a clay loam soil and 0, 67 and 135 kg P/ha, and the second with a sandy loam soil and extremely high rates of P, which were 0, 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 and 17.9 ton P/ha. Both had 0, 84, 168 and 252 kg N/ha in a complete factorial with the P levels. In the first experiment, dry matter yield, root dry matter yield and flowering percentage increased linearly with N, while Ca, P and oxalate percentage decreased quadratically with N. Oxalate levels were low with a mean of 1.98%. Phosphorus levels affected only P percentage, which increased quadratically with P level. No interactions were observed between N and P in the first experiment. In the second experiment, the high levels of P increased dry matter yield, crude protein and oxalate percentages, especially at low N levels. For these three parameters, there was an interaction between N and P. Phosphorus percentage increased guadra‐tically with P level up to 2.85% P, but decreased quadratically with N level. No interaction between N and P was observed for P percentage. Phosphorus levels reduced Ca percentage, but N had no effect. Oxalate levels were higher in the second experiment, with a mean of 5.23%, which might cause toxicity problems to livestock. |
