Effect of AVAIL and Nutrisphere-N Application on Annual Ryegrass Production and Quality
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 6, Issue 2 - December 2013
Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott
Abstract
Two important soil reactions are phosphorus (P) fixation and nitrogen (N) volatility in the ammonia form. Phosphorus fixation occurs as a result of P adsorption reactions to clays and aluminum and iron oxide minerals while N loss as ammonia from urea containing fertilizers is related to urease activity. These two types of soil reactions are impediments to nutrient use efficiency and crop uptake in forage crops. Two relatively new products to the forage industry, AVAIL and Nutrisphere-N (N-N) were tested in annual ryegrass forage production and nutrient uptake. AVAIL claims to reduce P fixation and increase plant uptake while N-N claims nitrification and urea volatilization inhibiting properties. A study was conducted during the 2010-2011 growing season at Mississippi State University to evaluate the value of adding AVAIL to a P based fertilizer and Nutrisphere-N to an N based fertilizer when growing annual ryegrass as a forage crop and their effects in forage production, nutrient uptake and forage quality. Marshall annual ryegrass planted at a seeding rate of 30 lb ac-1 on a prepared seed bed. Phosphorus was applied at a rate of 30 lb ac-1 with or without AVAIL (AV). Urea (46-0-0) was applied at a rate of 0, 80, 100, and 120 lb ac-1 in split applications with or without Nutrisphere-N (N-N). There was no evidence that the AVAIL and Nutrisphere-N treatments had an effect on the amount on forage production, N removal or forage quality. Most of the variables measured in the study were greatly affected by harvest date.
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