Yield and nutritional value of orchardgrass as influenced by nitrogen and sulphur fertilization and associated red clover

Abstract

The effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense, L.), three levels of N (0, 224 and 448 kg•ha⁻1•yr⁻1, as a split application) and two levels of S (0 and 34 kg•ha⁻1•yr ) on the chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of an orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata, L.) sward were studied. The treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design with a split-plot arrangement of treatments. Crude protein content, in vitro dry matter digestibility and dry matter yield were increased (P<. 01) with increasing levels of N. Increasing levels of N decreased (P<.05) S content of orchardgrass. The inclusion of red clover did not have any significant effect on the components analyzed, probably due to a low proportion of red clover (approximately 8%) in the mixed sward. Application of S increased ( P<.05) the S content of orchardgrass and decreased N-to-S ratio at all levels of N application. Application of S increased (P<.05) the crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility, whereas neutral detergent fiber, lignin and hemicellulose were decreased (P<. 05). Nitrogen fertilization had a quadratic effect (P<.05) on in vivo digestibility of dry matter, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose and a linear effect (P<.001) on apparent digestibility of crude protein. Inclusion of red clover increased (P<.01) in vivo digestibility of dry matter and hemicellulose, and decreased (P<.01) digestibility of acid detergent fiber and lignin. Application of S had no direct effect on in vivo digestibility of orchardgrass. A linear interaction (P<.01) between N and S was observed for dry matter and crude protein digestibility. Rumen fluid ammonia-N was increased (P<.05) and butyric acid concentration was decreased (P<.05) linearly by N fertilization.