Author/Authors :
algan, duygu ondokuz mayıs üniversitesi - ziraat fakültesi - tarla bitkileri bölümü, Turkey , aydın, ibrahim ondokuz mayıs üniversitesi - ziraat fakültesi - tarla bitkileri bölümü, Turkey
Abstract :
The most effective way to increase productivity of rangelands, where ecological factors and botanicalcomposition are suitable, is to fertilize those lands. It is known that phosphorus and potassiumfertilizations affect legumes, but nitrogen fertilizers affect grasses at rangelands. For that reason, it isexpected that botanical composition of rangelands can be changed distinctly depending on doses andtypes of the applied fertilizers. In terms of animal feeding, both content and balance of minerals in herbare important. The study was carried out to determine the effect of over seeding and NPK fertilizationon the nitrate, macro elements contents and rates among some elements in rangeland herbs for a 2-yearperiod. Seeding (unseeded and over seeded) and fertilization (composed of 3 nitrogen (0, 6 and 12 kgda-1), 3 phosphorus (0, 6 and 12 kg da-1) and 2 potassium (0 and 8 kg da-1) doses were utilized as mainplots and sub-plots, respectively. Nitrate contents and K/(Ca+Mg), Ca/P and N/S ratios of plants werenot affected by over seeding. Fertilization changed calcium (8.30-12.32 g kg-1), magnesium (2.70-3.66g kg-1), potassium (20.87-26.02 g kg-1), phosphorus (3.35-4.25 g kg-1) and sulfur (1.71-2.56 g kg-1)contents of herbs. K/(Ca+Mg), Ca/P and N/S ratios of herbs varied between 0.66-1.01, 2.18-3.43 and9.44-14.46, respectively. Nitrate content of plant varied between 1747-1848 mg kg-1 for differentfertilization rates. Also, legumes accumulated more nitrate than grasses. The results of the present studyindicated that mineral contents and ratios of rangeland plants were to be sufficient or higher to meetmineral requirements of the grazing animals, however, nitrate contents can be risk for pregnant andyoung animals.
