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© 2005 Plant Management Network. Fertilizer Rate and Placement Alters Triticale Forage Yield and Quality K. R. Harmoney, Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays 67601; and C. A. Thompson, formerly of Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays 67601 Corresponding author: K. R. Harmoney. kharmone@ksu.edu Harmoney, K. R., and Thompson, C. A. 2005. Fertilizer rate and placement alters triticale forage yield and quality. Online. Forage and Grazinglands doi:10.1094/FG-2005-0512-01-RS. Abstract On a soil low in available phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), 14 combinations of N and P fertilizer rates and placement were compared for ‘Presto’ winter triticale (× Triticosecale rimpaui Wittm.) forage production and forage quality. Increasing broadcast N rates increased forage yield and crude protein percentage while lowering forage fiber components. Additional P fertilizer banded with the seed increased forage yield, but crude protein percentage declined and fiber concentrations increased with the additional P. The most efficient use of the fertilizer resource was experienced with small incremental levels of N or P both banded with seed. Seed-banded N at 20 lb/acre produced as much quality forage as when 80 lb of N per acre was broadcast and incorporated. Fertilizing with P at 10 lb/acre banded with the seed produced as much or greater forage as N at 120 lb/acre broadcast and incorporated. Both N and P fertilizer, alone or in combination, can efficiently improve forage yield and quality of ‘Presto’ winter triticale, especially when banded with the seed. Introduction Low quality forages or expensive stored forages are often the main diet of ruminant animals during the winter months. Low quality forages can affect weight gains of feeder calves, cow and calf performance and condition, and total input cost per animal unit for a season. To offset possible negative performance effects or to reduce feed costs, it is important to carefully select a small grain forage with proper fertilizer management to achieve greater yield and quality of late fall to early spring forage. Triticale has produced comparable forage quantity and quality to that of wheat, rye, oat, or barley (1,5,9,17,23). Fertilization of cereal crops for grain production, especially wheat, has received much attention. Sander and Eghball (19) found winter wheat grain yields increase as P rates increase from 0 to 30 lb/acre. Black (2) studied incremental rates of P and N fertilizer on spring wheat and found that increasing P to 40 lb/acre increased tiller numbers and heads per acre. Greater tiller density would be a desirable trait for forage production. Cereal grain yields were also greater when P was banded with the seed if planting was delayed (3,19). Winter wheat grain yield increases with increasing P, and placement of P fertilizer with the seed increases grain yield compared to the same P rate broadcast on P deficient soils (16,18). Winter wheat grain yield and total biomass have responded variably to N fertilizer rate and placement. Across several sites in Kansas, Schlegel et al. (21) found that dryland winter wheat grain yield increased as urea-ammonium nitrate solution was increased up to 100 lb of N per acre. Dryland winter wheat grain yield in Montana also showed a positive response to urea and ammonium nitrate applied either in the fall or spring with 89 lb of N per acre (6). Winter wheat dry matter yield harvested at heading increased and water use efficiency plateaued when N fertilization reached 50 lb/acre in Colorado (15). Increasing N fertilizer in the spring also increased winter wheat dry matter yield in 8 of 14 trials in the northern plains of Canada (8). In winter wheat in Idaho, no difference was found in grain yield between broadcast applied N and N banded below the seed (12). Research on fertilization of cereal crops for grain is more common than research for forage, and trials concerning fertilization of triticale for forage are even more lacking. This study was conducted to determine N and P fertilization rate and placement strategies that are applicable for greater triticale forage production and forage quality. Procedures Research was conducted near the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center at Hays, KS (38°51.510'N, 99°20.106'W) on a Harney silt loam soil (fine, smectitic, mesic Typic Argiustoll). An official weather station at the research center was used to gather precipitation data. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and were 8.0 ft × 30.0 ft in size with 12-inch row spacing. Each year, the study was moved to a new plot location and randomized. ‘Presto’ winter triticale was seeded at a rate of 90 lb/acre from 7 September to 13 October in 1997 to 1999 with a hoe drill modified for use with a spinning cone seeder. Initial soil P averaged 15.0 lb/acre, and initial soil N averaged 2.5 lb/acre over the three years. Fourteen individual treatments of fertilizer source, rate, and placement were compared for forage production and quality. Within the study, three sub-experiments of particular interest were also evaluated in which broadcast nitrogen rate, banded phosphorus rate, and banded nitrogen and phosphorus effects on forage yield and quality were determined. Fertilizers applied were N as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) broadcast pre-plant and incorporated with tillage in each plot, or N as ammonium nitrate and P as concentrated superphosphate (0-46-0) banded in the furrow with the seed. Fertilizers placed with the seed were also metered with a spinning cone device mounted on the hoe drill. Nitrogen fertilizers applied pre-plant were individually weighed and spread for each plot, and then incorporated with a wide-shoveled field cultivator with a spring tooth harrow attachment. For Sub-experiment 1, factorial combinations of N and P were applied with N broadcast pre-plant and incorporated, and P banded with the seed, at rates of 0, 40, 80, and 120 lb of N per acre, and 0 and 10 lb of P per acre. Sub-experiment 2 included P at the rate of 0, 5, 10, and 15 lb/acre applied banded with the seed combined with N applied broadcast pre-plant and incorporated at a rate of N of 40 lb/acre. In Sub-experiment 3, factorial combinations of N and P both were applied banded with the seed, at rates of 0, 10, and 20 lb of N per acre, and 0 and 10 lb of P per acre. Harvests occurred in the spring from 1998-2000 at the R0 (boot) stage using the Nebraska staging system for grasses (14) from a 3.0-×-29.0-ft area from each whole plot, leaving a 3-inch stubble. Samples were dried at 105°F for 72 h and weighed. Samples were ground to pass through a 1-mm screen on a cyclone mill and scanned with an NIRSystems 6500 (Foss NIRSystems, Inc., Silver Spring, MD) near infra-red reflectance spectrophotometer. CENTER and SELECT procedures were used to select samples for forage quality analysis (22), and selected samples (22) were then analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (7,24), and crude protein (CP) (4). Wet chemistry values for NDF, ADF, and CP were then used to develop NIRS equations for predicting quality of the forage samples (13,22). The overall experiment was analyzed with the GLM procedure of SAS (20) with year, replication, and treatment as independent variables. Fisher’s protected LSD was used to make mean separations across the 14 treatments. Single degree-of-freedom contrasts were also used to analyze predetermined comparisons within sub-experiments and to test linear and quadratic effects of nitrogen and phosphorus rates. Yield and crude protein had significant year × treatment interactions, so data were analyzed by year. Both NDF and ADF lacked a year × treatment interaction and were analyzed across years. Significance was based on P < 0.05. Precipitation Status In the fall of 1997, ample moisture was available for fall growth (Fig. 1). A total of 12.67 inches of precipitation fell from August of 1997 to December of 1997. Another 9.38 inches of precipitation fell from January through May of 1998. In the fall of 1998, only 8.07 inches of precipitation accumulated, nearly 4.5 inches less than the previous year. In the spring of 1999, another 8.0 inches of moisture fell, which was only slightly less than in 1998. The fall of 1999, 7.57 inches of precipitation accumulated, but only 2 inches of that moisture fell during September through December. Little moisture was available for fall growth. In the spring of 2000, 9.90 inches of moisture fell, which was very similar to the total precipitation of spring 1998. However, 4.5 inches of rain fell during March in 2000. Timing of this precipitation was critical since the triticale was coming out of winter dormancy and beginning active growth.
Sub-Experiment 1: Effects of Broadcast Nitrogen Fertilizer A significant quadratic N × P interaction occurred for forage yield in 1998, 1999, and 2000 (Table 1). In 1998, increasing increments of N fertilizer alone did not increase yield, but the addition of P caused a greater increase in yield with each increment of N applied up to 80 lb/acre (Table 2). An opposite trend occurred in 1999 and 2000. Increasing N level alone up to 80 lb/acre increased yield, but when P at 10 lb/acre was banded with the seed, yield did not increase with additional N above the yield produced by simply adding P. Year 2000 had the highest forage yields, while 1998 and 1999 did not differ significantly. Table 1. Single degree-of-freedom contrast Prob < F-values for fertilizer rate and placement effects on forage yield of ‘Presto’ winter triticale when harvested at the R0 (boot) stage of growth near the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, from 1998-2000.
Table 2. Effect of fertilizer source, rate, and placement on forage yield of ‘Presto’ winter triticale when harvested at the R0 (boot) stage of growth near the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, from 1998-2000.
1 N as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) and P as concentrated superphosphate (0-46-0). Increasing rates of surface-applied N increased CP linearly at both levels of P in 1998 and 1999 (Table 3). The addition of P lowered CP levels both years (Table 4), regardless of N rate. In the year 2000, no difference in CP was found with increasing rates of N or adding P to the system. No interaction existed between broadcast N and seed-banded P rate for NDF in any year (Table 5). Increasing broadcast N rate lowered NDF linearly and quadratically (P = 0.0574) (Tables 5 and 6). Neutral detergent fiber decreased as N rate increased above 40 lb/acre (Table 6). The addition of banded P increased NDF by 1.9%. The level of NDF differed significantly in each of the three years, with a low of 61.6% in 1998 and a high of 64.5% in 2000. Table 3. Single degree-of-freedom contrast Prob < F-values for fertilizer rate and placement effects on forage crude protein (CP) concentration of ‘Presto’ winter triticale when harvested at the R0 (boot) stage of growth near the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, from 1998-2000.
Table 4. Effect of fertilizer source, rate, and placement on crude protein (CP) concentration of ‘Presto’ winter triticale when harvested at the R0 (boot) stage of growth near the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, from 1998-2000.
1 N as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) and P as concentrated superphosphate (0-46-0). Table 5. Single degree-of-freedom contrast Prob < F-values for
Table 6. Effect of fertilizer source, rate, and placement on
1 N as ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) and P as concentrated
No interaction existed between broadcast N and seed banded P rate for ADF in any year (Table 5), but increased broadcast N rate did gradually lower ADF linearly (Table 5 and 6). When averaged across broadcast N rates, the addition of banded P increased ADF 1.4% (Table 6). Acid detergent fiber was lowest in 1998 and 2000 at 38.1% both years. It appears that on low nitrogen and phosphate soils, broadcast N fertilizer will increase yields and improve forage quality, while added P fertilizer banded with the seed will benefit forage yields and decrease forage quality. Sub-Experiment 2: Effects of Banded Phosphorus Fertilizer Increasing banded P levels from 0 to 15 lb/acre increased forage yield linearly in 1998 and quadratically in 1999 (Table 1). Forage yields increased by 1552 lb/acre in 1998 and 2982 lb/acre in 1999 at the greatest level of banded P (Table 2). With increasing rates of seed banded P, CP decreased quadratically in 1998 and linearly in 1999, but had no change in 2000 (Tables 3 and 4). Across all years, NDF of forage increased quadratically as level of P increased (Table 5 and 6). Without banded P, NDF was near 62.2%, while NDF was near 64.0% when seed banded P was added at 5 to 15 lb/acre (Table 6). Level of P had no effect on ADF value of forage (Table 5 and 6). Forage yield and banded P fertilizer rates were inversely related with forage quality. Sub-Experiment 3: Effects of Seed Banded Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer A significant N × P interaction resulted each year for forage yield when N and P were applied with the seed (Table 1). Without P fertilizer, forage yield increased gradually with incremental levels of added N (Table 2). When P fertilizer was added, forage yield decreased when the N rate went from 0 lb/acre to 10 lb/acre, but forage yield increased when 20 lb of N per acre was banded with the seed. Applying N in a band with the seed may decrease germination or injure seedlings if applied at rates of N greater than 25 lb/acre (11) No interaction between N and P with the seed occurred for forage CP (Table 3). Forage CP increased linearly as N banded with the seed increased from 0 to 20 lb/acre in 1998 and 1999, but N with the seed had no effect on CP in 2000 (Table 3 and 4). Additional P fertilizer banded with the seed decreased forage CP by 2.8 to 3.4% in 1998 and 1999, but in 2000 P increased CP 1.0% (Table 4). Level of banded N had no effect on forage NDF or ADF, and no N × P interaction resulted (Table 5). Neutral detergent fiber increased nearly 1.4% and ADF increased 1.2% when P was banded with the seed (Table 6). Small incremental levels of N banded with the seed will improve forage yield and CP, while additional banded P fertilizer will increase forage yield but decrease forage quality. Applications Forage yield was positively influenced by N fertilization. The increase in N fertilization also improved forage quality by reducing fiber concentrations and increasing crude protein content, thus producing a higher quality product. The N-deficient soil and adequate moisture enabled significant yield increases with as much as 120 lb of N per acre, which is a positive response to N level greater than typically seen in dryland cereal grain production research in the western Great Plains (6, 21). The addition of P fertilizer up to 15 lb/acre also positively influenced forage yield more than any other trait, and small increases in P level had a greater yield response than increases in N level. The great increase in forage production caused by P fertilizer at a single level of N resulted in limited available N to maintain CP levels, and CP concentration declined as a result of the added P. Increasing N at the same time as P would help to offset the decline in forage quality experienced with increased P. The most efficient use of N fertilizer for forage production resulted from banding N with the seed. Forage yield from N at 20 lb/acre banded with the seed was equal to N at 80 lb/acre broadcast and incorporated (Table 2). Crude protein concentration was the only forage quality parameter different between the two fertilization treatments, with 80 lb of N per acre broadcast and incorporated having greater CP than 20 lb of N per acre banded with the seed in 1998 and 1999. Fertilization with only 10 lb of P per acre banded with the seed produced as much or greater forage as 120 lb of N per acre broadcast and incorporated (Table 2). Although levels of added P fertilizer were lower than commonly used for cereal grain production (2, 19), significant increases in forage yield were evident with small increments of P banded with the seed. Improved triticale forage production can be attained by N or P fertilizer alone or in combination, and banding both fertilizers with the seed resulted in the greatest production with the least amount of inputs. By knowing soil nutrient status and applying fertilizer rate and placement information, forage production potential can be attained while lowering input costs and practicing sound resource management. Literature Cited 1. Baker, J. L. 2003. Forage yields from rye, oat, barley, wheat, and triticale varieties and strains. Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. Report NF-R-03-02, Ardmore, OK. 2. Black, A. L. 1970. Adventitious roots, tillers, and grain yields of spring wheat as influenced by N-P fertilization. Agron. J. 62:32-36. 3. Blue, E. N., Mason, S. C., and Sander, D. H. 1990. Influence of planting date, seeding rate, and phosphorus rate on wheat yield. Agron. J. 82:762-768. 4. Bremner, J. M., and Breitenbeck, G. A. 1983. A simple way of determining ammonium in semimicro-Kjeldahl analysis of soil and plant using a block digestor. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 14:905-913. 5. Brown, A. R., and Almodares, A. 1976. Quantity and quality of triticale forage compared to other small grains. Agron. J. 68:264-266. 6. Christensen, N. W., and Meints, V. W. 1982. Evaluating N fertilizer sources and timing for winter wheat. Agron. J. 74:840-844. 7. Goering, H. K., and Van Soest, P. J. 1970. Forage fiber analyses. USDA Agr. Handbook 379. USDA, Washington, DC. 8. Johnston, A. M., and Fowler, D. B. 1991. No-till winter wheat dry matter and tissue nitrogen response to nitrogen fertilizer form and placement. Agron. J. 83:1035-1042. 9. Juskiw, P. E., Helm, J. H., and Salmon, D. F. 2000. Forage yield and quality for monocrops and mixtures of small grain cereals. Crop Sci. 40:138-147. 10. Leikam, D. F., Murphy, L. S., Kissel, D. E., Whitney, D. A., and Moser, H. C. 1983. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus application method and nitrogen source on winter wheat grain yield and leaf tissue phosphorus. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 47:530-535. 11. Mahler, R. L., Lutcher, L. K., and Everson, D. O. 1989. Evaluation of factors affecting emergence of winter wheat planted with seed-banded nitrogen fertilizers. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 53:571-575. 12. Mahler, R. L., Koehler, F. E., and Lutcher, L. K. 1994. Nitrogen source, timing of application, and placement: Effects on winter wheat production. Agron. J. 86:637-642. 13. Marten, G. C., Shenk, J. S., and Barton, F. E., II. 1989. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS): Analysis of forage quality. USDA, Agric. Handb. No. 643, Washington, DC. 14. Moore, K. J., Moser, L. E., Vogel, K. P., Waller, S. S., Johnson, B. E., and Pedersen, J. F. 1991. Describing and quantifying growth stages of perennial forage grasses. Agron. J. 83:1073-1077. 15. Nielson, D. C., and Halvorson, A. D. 1991. Nitrogen fertility influence on water stress and yield of winter wheat. Agron. J. 83:1065-1070. 16. Peterson, G. A., Sander, D. H., Grabouski, P. H., and Hooker, M. L. 1981. A new look at row and broadcast phosphate recommendations for winter wheat. Agron. J. 73:13-17. 17. Rao, S. C., Coleman, S. W., and Volesky, J. D. 2000. Yield and quality of wheat, triticale, and elytricum forage in the southern plains. Crop Sci. 40:1308-1312. 18. Randall, G. W., and Hoeft, R. G. 1988. Placement methods for improved efficiency of P and K fertilizers: A review. J. Prod. Agric. 1:70-78. 19. Sander, D. H., and Eghball, B. 1999. Planting date and fertilizer placement effects on winter wheat. Agron. J. 91:707-712. 20. SAS Institute Inc. 1995. SAS/STAT User's Guide, Version 6, Fourth Edition, Volume 2, Cary, NC., 846 pp. 21. Schlegel, A. J., Dhuyvetter, K. C., and Havlin, J. L. 2003. Placement of UAN for dryland winter wheat in the central high plains. Agron. J. 95:1532-1541. 22. Shenk, J. S., and Westerhaus, M. O. 1991. Population definition, sample selection, and calibration procedures for near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Crop Sci. 31:469-474. 23. Thompson, C. 1996. Agronomic performance and quality traits of small grain forages. Kansas Agric. Expt. Station. Report of Progress 760, Manhattan, KS. 24. Vogel, K. P., Pedersen, J. F., Masterson, S. D., and Toy, J. J. 1999. Evaluation of a filter bag system for NDF, ADF, and IVDMD forage analysis. Crop Sci. 39:276-279. |
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