Research Note:Level of nitrogen fertilization and the dry matter yield of Digitaria eriantha cv. Irene in the Transvaal middleveld

Abstract

N fertilizer was applied as a single dressing in spring at 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320kg N ha–1 a–1 to an established Digitaria eriantha pasture, previously used as a hay crop. The only significant increase in dry matter (DM) production yield was obtained with 80kg N ha–1 a–1. The DM production per unit of Nitrogen (N) applied also reached a maximum with 80kg N ha–1 a–1. The distribution of rainfall also influenced DM yield.Keywords: botany; Digitaria eriantha; dry matter yield; fertilization; Hatfield Experimental Farm; nitrogen; South Africa; Transvaal; yieldAfrican Journal of Range and Forage Science 1995, 12(2): 87–8