Studies on the Northern Rhodesia Hyparrhenia Veld:IV. The effects of nitrigen fertilizer and defoliation

Abstract

Plot trials measured the effect of fertilizers and defoliation on Hyparrhenia veld.N was the only nutrient limiting growth, and N fertilizer markedly increased the herbage yield and crude protein %. The herbage response was linear up to the highest rate used, 189 lb. N/acre, with a calculated N recovery of approximately 35%. Split fertilizer applications were only advantageous in one year out of three. The effect of N fertilizer steadily decreased at successive harvests after application, and the residual effect in a following season was transient. N fertilizers did not alter the botanical composition of the veld.