EFFECTS OF AUTUMN FERTILIZER ON GRASS GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION IN PERMANENT GRASSLAND

In this study, the effects of autumn nitrogen application on grass growth in spring and on grazing capacity, variation of chemical composition of grass and total estimated carcass weight examined. The experiment was carried out at Konya, Central Anatolian Region, in Turkey. The experiment was conducted established swards of permanent grassland in 20032004 years. The experiment was conducted according to randomized complete block design with 4 replications over 2 years. In both years, they were cutting three in the growing season. After the September cuts 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 kg N ha-1 was applied all plots on grassland. In experiment were applied 40 kg P and 60 kg K ha-1 all plots. Over winter, dry matter accumulation were calculated 1 week intervals by taking five simples per treatment. Determination of grazing capacity was based on a cattle unit and estimated carcass weights were estimated. These results suggested that under Konya conditions autumn nitrogen is not needed for dry matter and crude protein. In the other hand grazing capacity and total estimated carcass weight were not affected by autumn nitrogen fertilizer. But Carbohydrate, Fibre, Oil and Ash are affected significantly by nitrogen doses.