Maximizing Forage Productivity by Improving Effectiveness of P and K Fertilizers

Phosphorus fertilization is essential for good forage production. This study is showing how P fertilization affects dry matter yield and protein of alfalfa and bromegrass hay in central Alberta. Annual broadcast and disc-band P applications have been compared to larger applications of P applied once at the beginning of the study in 1992. Annual applications of P are proving more effective than the larger, single applications, and similar to previous results, disc-banding produced higher yields than broadcasting. Results like this help convince farmers to do a better job of fertilizing their hay with P.


Objectives

1. To determine the effect of various levels of P (or K in K experiments) on dry matter and protein yield of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa grown for hay in central Alberta.
2. To compare the effect of broadcasting versus banding. Low annual versus one-time high initial rates, and fall versus spring application of P (or K in K experiments) on dry matter and protein yield of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa grown for hay.