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Yield and N Content of Closely Clipped Bahiagrass as Affected by N Treatments¹

Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspolum notetum Flugge) is normally grown in pure stands and produces forage primarily on stolons growing along the soil surface. Harvesting by clipping has been at a height of 6 to 7 cm and N fertilization has traditionally been in split applications with the first in March or April. Advantages of split applications have not been established and clip ping at 6 to 7 an may seriously underestimate forage production. More detailed information is needed to accurately establish total forage yields and seasonal forage production patterns under close clipping. A field clip ping investigation was conducted where bahiagrass sod receiving 0, 84, 168, and 336 kg/ha of N fertilizers in one of six time of application combinations was harvested monthly at a height of 0 to 3 mm.

The fist year, dry forage production increased from 3,042 kg/ha with 0 N, to 6,398 kg/ha with 336 kg/ha of N. In the second year, forage production at the same N rates ranged from 3,812 to 12,151 kg/ha. Close clipping (0 to 3 mm stubble) resulted in different seasonality of forage production and N concentrations when compared to previous results where clipping was at heights of 6 to 7 cm. Increasing the N application rate increased root and stolon weights.

Forage production efficiency of applied N (kg dry matter produced/kg N applied) decreased from 54.6 for the first 84 kg/N/ha applied to 34.0 for the additional N from 84 to 168 kg/ha and further to 5.2 for N from 168 to 336 kg/ha N. With unfertilized bahiagrass, N should be applied by or before early March, but after the first year, time of N application makes no practical difference in yield. At low N rates, harvesting to a stubble height of 3 an or less will significantly increase the amount of forage utilized , harvested, or reduce the amount of N applied.

It was concluded that close grazing or clipping of Pensacola bahiagrass wilt: a) increase digestibility by keeping the forage green; b) increase the effective yield of a pasture; and c) split applications of N may provide better forage distribution over a season without affecting yield.

Key Words: Forage • Pasture • N concentration • Paspalum notatum • Soil fertility

² Professors and associate professor, Univ. of Georgia, College Stn., Athens, GA 30602, and manager, Americus Plant Materials Center, SCS-USDA, Americus, GA 31709, respectively.

Received for publication October 11, 1977.

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